Thursday, June 22, 2017

A Good-Bye House Tour

The other day we had to get the house all tidy and clutter free to take pictures to send to a Realtor who was going to give us some comparables, so I thought I would share some of the pictures here as a sort of memory post.  We have had a lot of good memories here. I have never had a nicer home. Selling is bittersweet of course.  I don't want to go into that here.  I want to remember this house as just another example of God's great mercy to me.  He is an amazing God!!  As it turns out, I was already living in my dream house and now it is time to move back home.  Good-bye home sweet home.  You have been very good.  I am so very thankful.































Wednesday, June 14, 2017

June is Going to be Just Peachy

June is a special month!  School is out.  There is no band until August band camp at the college my son is going to attend.  We basically have the whole month to relax.  OK, not really relax, although if you think preparing a house to sell is relaxing, then it is going to be really chill around here. Ha.

Yes, that is right.  We are finally going to set a date and get it done!!  Another house around the corner, the only house for sale in our neighborhood, just sold in less than a week.  That is scary fast.  We have done some scouting around and think we may end up renting in the area that we want to move to for a few reasons.

First, prices are on the rise everywhere.  We can no longer afford a house like ours even in our neighborhood so image trying to find something comparable in the most desired area of the state.  Thankfully, we are not looking to upgrade.  We want as small a house as possible so that we can maybe even pay it off in our lifetimes.

Second, houses are moving too quickly.  I found what seemed to be a perfect house yesterday.  By the time I had emailed the listing to my husband and he got home so we could talk about it, it was SOLD.  Gone in a day!!  How can we compete with that?  I am not sure I can make such a huge decision in such a quick manner.  It is a very important decision.  People are basically forced to buy a house the instant it comes available and hope for the best.  Nope, can't do that.  It is too risky.

Lastly, we don't know exactly what kind of house we need or exactly where would be the best location.  We still have two kids who will be living with us for the next 5 years or more.  We are not kicking anyone out.  We would love for them to live at home and commute to college, saving 10k a year easily.  We may not be ready to buy a house that is built for two.  We don't know where they will be going to college.  There are some good state colleges that are an easy commute from our desired area.

So as much as I hate renting again, we are probably going that route, unless a house pops up that would fit the bill and no one else wants it.  The worst part is having to move again and knowing that the houses are just going to keep rising in price.  I am praying we have wisdom and courage.  We are not the kind of people who enjoy risk.  The main thing is to be up closer to work, our church and friends.  So exciting!!

Saturday, June 3, 2017

May, You Sure Went by Quickly





May, you sure went by quickly!  School finished up and a first graduation came upon us.  We celebrated quietly with just the grandparents and our family.  The graduate requested no big open house.

We also started bowling with the Kids Bowl Free program.  So far we have managed to go quite a few times and are enjoying the challenge of learning a new activity.  We are so lousy but it is fun.

We have no camping trips planned as we are trying to save money to get the house ready to sell, hopefully by the end of the summer.  We need to get our graduate ready to go to college before we list the house.  It is too emotional to do both at the same time.  Patience is called for here.  Houses are selling so quickly, too. The timing is just not right at the moment.

June is shaping up to be a full month as well, but not as crazy as last year.  We can now find time to visit the library!  All winter I had been only reading their ebooks.  We also will visit our city's zoo, swim, take a day trip to the lake, and hopefully spend some time playing board games, reading and relaxing, the usual summer stuff.

Grace and I got our garden boxes planted.  I am very excited about them.  This year I have started 12 sunflower seeds.  Will the bunnies let me have a few grow into beautiful blooms?  Time will tell.

How is your summer shaping up?