Hola! Hope y'all had a great weekend and had a chance to celebrate all of the fathers in your life. Between a visit to the lake, family dinners and the pool with friends, I'd say we had the perfect weekend!
Alright, so I'm here today with an update on selling our old house. Although, it's not really an update... we're still at status quo. Womp womp. I know, right? There's really not much to share, but so many of you are so sweet to check in to ask what's going on and whether or not we've sold the house, so I wanted to update y'all on the dealy-o.
Here's a quick timeline recap of our house selling journey:
February 2012: David accepts his dream job, which just so happens to be 75 miles away.
April 2012: After a few quick updates (like repainting the exterior, making over our guest bathroom and tidying up our laundry room), we put the house on the market. It was a tough decision to list the house, since we thought we'd be in the house for at least ten or fifteen years. But that 75 mile commute was pretty miserable already, although absolutely doable while we waited for the house to sell. We started showing the house (here are a few of my tips for showing) full speed ahead.
June 2012: We had the house under contract. The buyer was concerned about the age of the HVAC and heating system and backed out during the due diligence period. It is true that they are older units, but they are in perfect working order now so there is no current need to replace them. We were frustrated, but... oh, well.
July 2012: We took the house off the market since I was about to pop pregnant.
October 2012: We put the house back on the market with a new realtor. I somehow managed to keep the house clean and ready to show with a newborn. David was still driving 150 miles a day... with a newborn. And without a lot of help (friends or family) in the town we lived in, life was, uh, well, stressful.
December 2012: My best friend visited from New York, saw how chaotic our life was and suggested that we rent a small house in the city while we continued to sell the house. David would be closer to work, HDawg could start the corporate daycare (it would have been too far for him to make the drive with David every day and we really didn't want to lose our spot on the waiting list because it's an amazing program!) and we wouldn't have to worry about showings. Hmmm. We immediately started crunching the numbers and realized that, with gas savings, it would only be several hundred dollars more out of pocket each month.
January 2013: We furiously visited rental houses in Atlanta to see what was available.
February 2013: We found "the rental house." David and I started packing up our house and we moved at the end of the month.
March 2013: David and I quickly realized a few things: a) how much we love living in the city, b) how important it was to be closer to his work/HDawg's day care and c) how happy we were with the move!
April 2013: The house went under contract again. We had a very picky buyer who asked us to fix a bunch of things (some electrical work in the attic, etc.) and we obliged. Even after we shelled out the dough for her requested repairs, she backed out of the contract during the due diligence period, deciding that she wasn't interested in an older home at all. Sigh. David and I start to wonder if all buyers in this market really just want a brand new home? Why doesn't anyone else see the charm and character in our sixty year old home? Sure, investing in an older home means that you have to spend money to keep the older parts functioning, but by no means is our mostly renovated home a money pit. WHAT is going on?
May 2013: The house went under contract again. Third time's a charm, right? A wonderful couple with three small children fell in love with the home, old parts and all. They were pleased with the inspection, understood the long-term investments they may have to make in an older home and were excited to buy. This was it. And then their financing fell through. David and I were, seriously, heart-broken. We thought it was a match made in heaven, like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Clearly, it was not.
That gets you up to speed as to where we are today in this house selling saga. About a year-and-a-half on the market, three contracts and no sale. Which, yes, means a mortgage payment and a rent payment for us each month right now. I'm not going to lie, it's a tough situation to be in. Clearly, this is a hard financial decision. Obviously, David and I wouldn't put ourselves at risk financially, but the decision to move has crunched us a bit. It also doesn't help that we miss our beloved old home. It's crazy to us that it's sitting there, empty, with no pool parties this summer and no one enjoying that spa-like master bathroom. Thinking about it that way really makes us question our decision.
BUT.
BUT.
BUT.
I am 100% certain that moving to the city and renting while we continue to wait for the house to sell is the right decision for us. David is so happy at work. And without four hours in the car to and from work every day, he is so much happier at home. HDawg is so happy at his daycare. And I'm so happy going to work every day (PS. my commute is shorter, too!) knowing that my boys are in the right place. David's company is a blessing to us, that's for sure.
And aside from all of that work jazz, we love it in the city. We have monopolized on every festival, park and restaurant in the vicinity. We're so much closer to friends, family... it's amazing. Yesterday morning, David, HDawg and I met my brother-in-law for a sort of spur-of-the-moment run at Piedmont Park. It was incredible- the park, the family time, all of it. And I savor every minute of it.
For those of you wondering about why our house hasn't sold, your guess is as good as ours. We are certain it's priced right (it shows ALL the time), we have made repairs and updates to sell and we really think it's a beautiful house. I honestly think there are so few people in this market who are looking for an older home... people want a turn-key builder spec home because it's easy. Clearly, that's not our jam, but we just have to wait until the perfect buyer comes along who agrees.
Soooo, this is a super long post with no new news. Sorry about that. I just know that some of you out there are in the same boat, trying to sell in this tough buyers market and knowing that so many aspects of your life are on hold as a result. So I wanted to share what has worked for us. Hopefully I will be back with an update that our house has sold in the near future.
Until then, thank you for keeping us and our house selling process in your thoughts and prayers! We're just holding tight, knowing that there's a plan going on by the big man upstairs. One day it will all pay off and we just have to have faith in that!
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i might be mistaken but is your house located in birmingham? my son and his family live there and have just listed their house in eagle point....great school area and they'd like to stay in that area...downsizing as his wife is now a stay at home mama for another 2 years and they want less house with less payment until they move to the lake. if your house is located in birmingham could you please contact me at jdy277@aol.com? thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh how frustrating Michelle. I can 100% relate. Our house was on the market for 18 months with lots of ups and downs. And guess what happened in the end? We lowered the price for the 3rd time (sucking up that we were going to take a loss, but needing to move forward) and we immediately got TWO offers!! They countered each other and we got more than asking! So it will happen for you, it's just a tedious process. SO glad your moved has worked out so well for you, and keeping my fingers crossed the house sells SOON!!!!! It's so pretty, just needs the right buyer!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hate that for y'all! I do hear that with interest rates going up a bit, it's turning into more of a seller's market, so keep the faith. God's timing is perfect, even if it doesn't seem so to us, and the quality of life you're enjoying now is a beautiful thing!
ReplyDeletexo Heidi
Love the JB SG ref, LOL. I hope this turns out to be a foot in mouth post for you and you get some good news that pans out ASAP!
ReplyDeletePraying things turn around soon. Houses are finally selling in our neighborhood as well, so the market is picking up here in Atlanta. I just wish Elie was settled in her job and could afford your home...she would LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteUgh! I am so frustrated for you, but on the other hand, I am happy you all are so happy being in the city. We just bought a house near East Atlanta and I just love how close we are to everything. We havent taken part in too much of the eating out and whatever is going on only because we are stuck with our mortgage payment and 2 more months rent at our old apartment.
ReplyDeleteI have hope you will find the perfect buyer. The Atlanta market is picking up and your house is too charming to pass up.
I still can't believe that adorable house wasn't snatched up the first weekend! I mean, I'd buy it just for the backyard! Don't people realize how hard character and mature trees are to come by?!?!?! glad you're still feeling good about your decision to move...and sending all the good mojo your way!!!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to your feelings. We had our last house on the market for a year, took it off for almost a year, and then when we listed it again, it sold in two weeks. However, I felt like our life was on hold for those two years. Everything was about keeping the house up, making repairs, keeping our savings earmarked for selling/buying, and in addition, we weren't able to really settle in and feel at home. It was not a fun time, and I'm so sorry you are experiencing this waiting game too. It's a complete bummer!! :( BUT I'm so excited for you that you are loving living where you are and that you are getting to enjoy your time with those you care about. We'll definitely continue to think of and hope for the house to sell soon!! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteI wish your house was in Charlotte. My husband and I are about to move there for a job, and it is such a beautiful home! I would snatch it up in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteJen
What a tough process to go through. Hang in there, it'll sell. I'm a ranch lover and would totally have fallen in love and bought your house if I was looking :) -Abbey
ReplyDeleteHave you considered trying to rent your house for a few years? Maybe you can find a family who will lease-to-buy in a year or so...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and I will continue to keep my fingers crossed for guys that the perfect buyer comes along who also can afford to buy it. It is such a pretty home...I know it will sell! And in the meantime, the comment above about leasing it really could be a good option. We've thought about doing that for the next time we buy as well.
ReplyDeleteOh my. I'm sorry girl! As you and I both know, God has the perfect plan. Thankfully you guys are loving where you are now! It will sell one day :) Praying!!
ReplyDeleteGlad youre loving life in the city! Keepin' my fingers crossed for ya!!!
ReplyDeleteLiving in Northern California I get so saddened that people are flipping homes on the cheap and reselling them at astronomical prices. Bay Area homes = VERY expensive. I would buy your home in a hot minute - can we relocate it to California?
ReplyDeleteIts funny how people often think new is easier. We had more issues out of our new builder home in VA than the 55 year old home we had in PA. Not to sound like a old lady but they just don't build them like they used to. ;) Your home is totally updated too! What the heck is wrong with people?! Summer months typically are best so fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your house hasn't sold, but I'm so glad you're still feeling good about your decision to rent! Hopefully the right person/family will come along soon :)
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping it all works out better than you can ever imagine! I'm saying a prayer for you! So glad to be here! It's been a while! Xo
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer! People need to wake up because your house is amazing! And don't get me started on yall's pool! I'm so glad to hear you're happy where you are! Sending good thoughts the perfect buyers show up soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope it sells soon! I actually live not far from your old house! I realized it once you mentioned some of my favorite stores like Charming Charlie :) Small world I found this blog through Pinterest. I think like you a lot of people are looking to move intown right now. And if they are going to live out by where you home is they want something new...there's plenty of that to go around. Most people will sacrifice, for lack of better term, with an older home to be in the City. But it will sell I'm sure! Plus they built a new starbucks not too far from there...did you hear that exciting news ?? :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I just found your blog (by your 30 day photo challenge posts) and want to wish you the best of luck with selling your house. My husband and I just bought a house. We were also looking for something new, but found this 50 year old house and fell in love. A lot of older houses are built much better than new ones these days too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the right people will come along soon, it looks beautiful! Fingers crossed!