Yesterday was my Open House.
After three weeks of frantic prep leading to the nerve wracking event, it was all over in two short hours
A last minute walkthrough before the appointed time was a little unnerving. The sterile kitchen was a field of sleek, empty countertops. My desk was so naked it refracted the sunshine and made me squint in the glare. The freshly planted geraniums in the planters startled me every time I saw their blazing color through the window.
As I surveyed my staged environment, I couldn’t help but wonder…“Who lives here?” It felt as though much of my personality had been stuffed into drawers along with the clutter.
Traffic for the event was good, not great. About twelve nice folks came through, and not one apparent psycho among them. It took me a while to get my rhythm. The first lookers I’m sure found me very stiff and uncomfortable. Then I relaxed into the flow and got into a laid back salesmanship role.
I think there were a few good prospects, friends of neighbors who were familiar with the area and loved the house. But I didn’t hear those magic words I had so fiercely anticipated….”I love it! I’ll take it!”
After pulling the open sign from the street and turning off all the lights, I fell on the bed in a weary heap (next to the stoner dog who was tranquilized for the event). Every waking hour of the past few weeks had been filled with purpose. There were chores, there were exacting schedules, there was a deadline to be met.
Now what?
As tired as I was, it was hard to just chill. My body and brain had been rewired to be constantly in motion. Being still was not a recent option.
So as my mind continued to whirl, I contemplated next steps. More advertising. More flyers. Spread the word. Keep the house clean. Hold a good thought.
I’m hoping this is not a never-ending story.
.....................
18 comments:
Pictures! We want pictures! Sell us your house, put it on Etsy, you put so much craft work in it, it deserves to be marketed as a handmade item.
Relax now, the hard part's over.
I've deduced from all the stuff on the decorating channel (what is that channel calledA?) that you HAVE to put your personality away to sell your house. Bland and straightforward is best. Stupid! Yet if it's what it takes I guess you do it!
GOOD LUCK!!
Oh man! That is a trying time in a homeowners life! Good luck!
man, you busted ASS!!! and i am keeping my fingers crossed for ya! hell, i don't even remember where you live and i already wish i could buy it from ya!
The hardest part is always the first day on the market. I know what you mean about stripping much of your personality from the house when it's on the market. It's nice to have such a clean, uncluttered look, but at the same time it doesn't feel like YOUR home anymore. Perhaps that's a good thing in a way, making it easier to let go and move on (which you seem so ready for). Good luck girlie, I'm keeping my fingers and toes and everything else crossed for you for a quick sale!
I sold my house and 15 acres last summer. It was on the market "only" a couple of months. Every night after someone would come look at it I would pray..."Maybe this is the one". At some point I found the home I'd be moving into, set a move date regardless of home sale, I packed and was ready. I got a buyer that week. Trust that when the time is right, your buyer will be the perfect one.
I'm tired just READING it!! lol Thanks so much for taking a second to leave a comment on MY blog!! Here's to a house sale in your future!!
I like the feel of your blog. I read your heading description. Funny in a good way and creative, too.
Keep it up! Take care! :)
I can relate. We sold three houses in five years. I used the washing machine to stash things!
The last one was in Minneapolis/St Paul and it was on the market for 100 days with only three people asking to look at it, not counting open houses where the lookie-lous come through to see how you decorate, or what a house like that goes for ...
And then one day a man walked through - offered cash - didn't need a home inspection - and was ready to move in! We lost about 5%, not counting what we had put into it in the 1.5 years we owned it, a desk that looked like a built-in, and a big 42" TV, and all the stereo equipment to run it. I know that sounds awful - but in this market you have to be ready to sacrifice.
He bought it for his summer house. He owned a car dealership, and lived most of the year in Texas on his race-horse ranch.
The right buyer will just show up one day, and love your house. Keep the faith. Selling in this market is not for the faint-of-heart, but there are buyers out there.
Been there, done that... I always find that I absolutely love my house once its all spruced up that I no longer want to sell!
Nancy's first comment made me choke on my coffee. I need to remember that washing machine trick.
I'm sending you good thoughts for selling your house, Pyzahn. Just in case, I'll light a candle for you.
Hope you get to rest a bit!
...AND that your house sells soon!
Here's to a speedy sale to a non-psycho. I laughed at the blinding glare from your spotless desk; I could NEVER achieve that degree of order. Well done! (Fingers etc. remain crossed)
oh, bless your heart! i'd heard so many stories like this that when i got ready to sell my house in louisiana, i posted it one single place online - can't remember if it was craig's list or where - and i priced it at absolute rock bottom and no negotiation - i didn't do a single thing to the house - the ad read "as is" - period - it was empty and i was living in delaware - anyway, within 20 minutes of posting it online, someone called, asked to wire me a deposit sight unseen - and within two weeks the house was in his name - no muss no fuss - course, the easy part was that i wasn't living in it - hard part was that not only was i not there, i wasn't even in the state but even that was not an issue - anyway, this story is told only to show that things can happen and do happen when you least expect it - when i posted online, i really did not expect things to turn out as they did, especially as quickly as they did - so, hang in there - and before you know it, you'll be up to your elbows in paperwork on the contract!!!
Best of luck with the house. I know what you mean about stuffing your personality into drawers. I feel like that everytime I clean.
Catherine
Wow you've been busy! Good luck with the house selling, it'll happen I'm sure, and soon! will you be moving far?
Put that pen and list down. Back away every so slowly. Run the hot water in the tub. Pour in bubbles. Soak. Stare at toes.
I don't want to hear any back talk. Just do it.
P: having now read through your earlier posts about all the work involved with this house sale, I'm holding a happy thought for you about the rewards of all the cleaning and purging. When your house is sold (which it will be), I hope you find yourself feeling psychically cleaned out as well as having a cleaned out living situation. What relief to get rid of years' worth of stuff. With a birthday and a recently sorted through assortment of belongings, I'd say you're on the edge of the Next Big Adventure. Yes?
xoxo
Post a Comment