Sunday, January 27, 2008

Going Once, .....Going Twice.......

Many of you have asked about how the sale of our house has been going. So to appease the angry mob I'd thought I'd give you an update.

Matt and I decided to take a "stab" at trying to sell our house ourselves. With his parents and brother being in the business we knew we had their professional advice at our disposal so it made the challenge less daunting. We've had the house on the market for almost five months. During that time we've had a steady flow of interest. We entered the selling market at a BAD time. Times are rough in the real estate market here and it's winter (not the pretty snow white winters you all might be experiencing but our cold, wet, gloomy winters the NW brings.) We also have a major construction project going on next to our house. In the end it will really beautify our neighborhood but right now it looks like an ugly newborn baby (Not your baby, Your newborn was the most beautiful baby. But you know the ones I am talking about......) Matt has done a great job as a tour guide. He gives them all the facts and numbers about the house that I would surely mess up. "Gas or Electric heat? Well I'm not sure. I can tell you that I push this button when I want the house warmer and I push this button when I want the house cold. Any other questions I can answer for you?"

The first perspective buyer was a hard one for me. To have this woman looking in my cupboards and closets trying to see if she wanted to buy my home was a bit much. I had to fight my urges to have Tobin make ghost noises from the attic, while reassuring her that they were friendly spirits and as long as you didn't move the furniture no harm would come to her. I didn't tell her any fibs. BUT I did cry.....in front of her......Matt was comforting but not pleased.

Another looker that showed interested was the. oldest. man. I. have. ever. seen. alive. He shuffled in and Tobin automatically asked him why he walked so slow and why he had hair in his ears. Thankfully he was completely deaf and gave him a yellowed tooth nod and smile. With talking to him more I almost choked on my morning bourbon when he told me he was looking for a new home for him and his MOTHER!!!!! (I refrained from asking if his mother resided in a urn located on his mantle. )

We've had lots of lookers tell us that they want to make an offer and then they disappear off the face of the earth. We did have one offer but it was way low and we just were not that desperate.

Matt and I talked last week about whether or not we should turn to a Realtor. We decided that we would give it till February. We prayed about it and asked God to make it clear to us whether or not we should list it or not. The very next day, Matt got a call from a couple in town from Oklahoma. This Friday we showed the house to them and they loved it. They flew here to make an offer on a house across the street. They were very disappointed in how much work needed to be done to it and were about to fly back home when they saw our cute little house. Called us and saw the house. My kids were completely charming. Tobin even called the guy, "grandpa!" He lit up! Long story short, they made an offer the next morning. It was just a little under what we were hoping to get out of the house so we countered and they accepted!!!! We have a buyer.

Now let the packing begin.

24 comments:

Ona said...

Congratulations!

Melissa said...

Wow, what a cool story. God definitely answers prayers.

Now the next question: what's the status on your new house? ; )

LizzyG said...

Wow Becca!!!
That is so great...congratulations!

I think that is truly a miracle, considering the market right now. We have two beautiful homes on our street that have sat vacant and for sale since summer.
Praise God!!!

jana said...

Congrats...but I have to say I'm a little bummed that another cool couple is leaving those of us urban dwellers to live in the 'burbs. Enjoy the quiet, train-less nights and bum-free porches :)

Rachel said...

Whooopee!! Now on to new adventures!

Kim H. said...

Congratulations!! What a blessing that they came right in the nick of time... that's definently a God moment!

Angela said...

SO EXCITED!!!

Anonymous said...

OH that is so exciting!! How fun for the next phase of your life to begin.

Alida said...

Congratulations! Your home is beautiful and I'm sure your new home will be. Best of luck!

I'm excited for you.

Michelle said...

What an amazing story!!! Congratulations!

momaof4 said...

What a blessing!!!!
If you need help holler! I am pretty good at packing and unpacking lately ;)

Sharon said...

Oh my goodness, Becca! It's actually happening! I'm so sad and happy at the same time!!! Time to start the next chapter~how exciting!

Team Johnston said...

Congratulations! Holler if you guys need help packing.
~Danielle :)

Jonathan said...

Props to you guys. Now, I can't remember where you wanted to go?

Unknown said...

Congrats on a buyer! Good luck moving!!

Lindsay said...

Congrats! That is great news!

I'm the same way with specs on our house. Someone asked me what kind of furnace we had, and I was like, hmmm, I'm not sure. Then later I asked Craig and he's like, we don't have a furnace, we have electric heat!

Hosmerita said...

Yay!
Congratulations on the sale! We are thinking about putting ours on the market as well, so we will see.

Tiffany said...

Yippee! I'm so glad you have a buyer that has worked out! And one that didn't make you cry at that! I'm so sorry that mean woman looking in your special nooks and crannies of the house you love made you cry - If I had been there I'd have given you a hankie (hey, maybe the oldest man alive's mom had a nice lace one you could have borrowed?). Congrats to the newest realators on the block!

Lion Heart said...

What a great story! I can't believe you got an offer right before you were going to look into getting a realtor! Actually I can believe it gods just so cool like that!

Lindsay said...

WooHoo!! :) Have fun in this new adventure!!

Jenny vick said...

ok...I swear I'm not a stalker, but when you said you sold your house i got teary eyed...I've never stepped foot in your house..haven't made any memories in your house...but I have fallen in love with your house through your blogs and have seen how much growth your family has done in that house...and it just caught me...like a hallmark commercial :) I'm happy for you and your family...I'm not sure if you have found something else to live in..but whatever type of house it is I'm sure you'll make it charming! I totally cried when we sold our condo..our tiny 950sf. condo with nasty carpet, on the second story...girls lets go play in the parking lot condo! It's just the memories!! Bless you :) Happy packing!

mbrassfield said...

Sending good luck vibes. I hope all the inspections, approvals, and closing go smoothly for you.

Valerie of Momia said...

Good job, Tobin. You sealed the deal with your charming "Grandpa" act.

I think that deserves a handful of quarters!

Shannon said...

Yeah...congratulations. But oh my gosh I almost peed my pants with the old man story.