A Long Winter's Nap? Or Not...

We had an offer on the house! A very low offer. So we've countered with what we think is reasonable and we'll see what happens next. Maybe nothing and we settle in for the winter... or, we get packing and start planning a mid-winter move!

So Long Dust Bunnies!

We had a showing today! AND we have another one tomorrow evening! The couple who are coming tomorrow are coming back for a second time. They have narrowed their search to two houses!!

Hmmm...

The realtor paid a visit this morning. He's leaving for Florida at the end of the week and wanted to let me know how things will proceed while he's away. The thing I think is worthy of note is the fact that he's going away. For the winter. He won't be back until April. The irony kills me! Here we still sit with the For Sale sign swinging in the freezing wind outside and our realtor is going away! For the winter! There's something very very wrong with that!

Flexibility

There has been no action on the house whatsoever so the dust bunnies are accumulating around corners once again! We're becoming resigned to the fact that nothing is probably going to happen until well after the New Year. Sooo... we are also becoming resigned to our new decision of remaining here until the house does sell. It's just not going to show well empty or with month-to-month renters in. One more winter in bitter cold! It was 17F this morning and, as I type, it's only gotten up to 23F! Yikes, that's cold.

Time to Clean Again!

So far we have two showings scheduled for this weekend... And hopefully some more to be booked this afternoon.

Adjustment

We've come down on our asking price for the house. From $359,000, we're now asking $347.500. Will it make a difference? Only time will tell...

Autumn in New England

I am constantly reminded and am now convinced there is NOTHING and NOWHERE like New England in Autumn. Lloyd and I had the best day today with his friends and mine! Jumping in leaves, running through leaves and a big ole' box of joe! The monster playdate was a smashing success!!

Hope Endures

Four showings last weekend and three this weekend with another tomorrow afternoon!

Game Back On

After a week and a half of no showings, we have four coming up! Two tomorrow and one each on Saturday and Sunday. We're as ready as we've ever been so let's hope something happens. The New Zealand dollar is currently at .58 to our US$1.00 so it would be a very good time to transfer a whole chunk of money from a house sale!

Now We're REALLY Ready!

We've received some constructive criticism from our realtor who has been polling those who have been to see the house recently. As a result, we now have all new fixtures in the bathroom downstairs and like-new cabinet doors throughout the kitchen, thanks to Greg and a little bit of Kiwi ingenuity (they're known for it!). Now we need some more showings! We have not had anyone through since Monday...

Had a yard sale today and made some money. Best of all, we got rid of ALOT of stuff! There are now big, gaping spaces in the basement and garage!

Showings

It's funny that since my last post, we've shown the house three times and there's another showing tomorrow! Go figure. No more offers yet but you've gotta have the showings first so it's encouraging nevertheless.

There...

We've found the most amazing house in Auckland! We want it. It's got everything: location, a yard, bedrooms, school zone... and best of all for Greg, improvements to be made! But you should see the yard!! And the kitchen! And the windows! And the character inside and out! Our sister in law, Kelly, went to the open house yesterday and reported back to us she got chills walking down the street and then again approaching the house and walking in... she reckons it's perfect for us!

So. We need to get this house sold! However, since the financial crisis, there's been no one in to even look at it, much less consider an offer. But, that means the same sort of inactivity must be going on over there, too.

There's hope yet. We'll keep our eye on it, that's for sure. We need perfect timing!
Start praying! It's possible...

Bring It!

Well. We woke up to one of those beautiful autumn mornings with the sun streaming through the windows; what a wonderful start to the day -- UNTIL. We threw back the duvet and found it freezing!!! It was 40F/8C!!! Greg and I looked at each other and agreed we cannot believe we're staying here for another winter (well, part of it)!

I take full responsibility since I have insisted we remain until after the holidays. But wow! It's already so cold -- I'm looking forward to New Zealand!

There. I said it!

Let the Games Begin

So, we've had two offers on the house. We met with our realtor today to go over them, we countered and now wait to see if we hear from either one again. One came in curiously low so we suggested they give it another think and come back with something better and the other one had some contingencies we're not willing to agree to. Nice to be in control and not feel any pressure to give in to something we're not 100% happy with. We've got time.

MLS

If you know anyone who wants to buy a house or, for those of you who will never get to see it in person, you can go to http://www.riliving.com/. Click where it says, "The search for your next home starts here...". Click on "Single Family"and then go to the bottom of the page and enter MLS #: 853355. There are some photos the realtor took yesterday.

I'm told the people who viewed it on Sunday loved it and there's another showing tomorrow!

Tanglible Signs of Our Intent

This is what I faced as I approached our house last night at about 9:00pm after a great afternoon/evening with friends. It was late and I was tired beyond belief and then this.

THE SIGN.

Well, it hit me like a ton of bricks. My stomach lurched into my mouth and then made an amazingly rapid descent to the very bottom of my feet and I really thought I was going to throw up. It had to hit me sometime and hit it did. So I got us into the house and then had a major meltdown. Called Greg. Pulled myself together and went to bed!

And it's being shown today! I learned that news earlier yesterday and that didn't even bother me as much as this tangible thing now hanging outside our house.

To Market To Market

No, no not that market! Our house is officially on the market today. No sign out front yet (of course, I'll post the picture!) but it's out there. The realtor will be by today to take pictures inside and out for the brochure and websites if we get some sun today.

For Sale

We met with the realtor and received the grim facts of the market these days. Very very grim. About $50,000 less than we expected grim. But we have learned a lot and understand why we can't ask what we were hoping to for this house. Nevertheless, we're moving forward and will most likely call the realtor Monday morning and put this house up for sale. Gulp! We have a lot of work ahead of us getting this place ready to be seen. This is going to be the biggest step yet and will make The Big Move very, very real...

Home, Maison, Haus, Huis, Casa...

Our realtor was very impressed with the improvements made to our house and Greg certainly gets all the credit for that! He put some information together and we're going to meet with him on the 5th September to hear what he has to say about the market and what he thinks we can ask for this place we've called home for the past six years. He and the other realtors from his company are coming through on Tuesday to give their professional opinions. Exciting stuff!

Jumping the Gun?

I sent an email to our realtor this morning telling him of our plans and asking him if he'd be willing and available to be our agent again when we sell this house. He said he would and then blew my mind when he said he'd like to come over tomorrow and see the house! Yikes. Didn't expect him to act THAT fast. So, he's coming at 9:00a.m. and we'll see what he thinks.

I will not let him talk me into selling early! We will not be homeless!

Home Sweet Home

Lloyd and I are back from another wonderful stint in Nantucket. Five days turned into nine without hesitation! I've started another website-type-thing with pictures: http://teamyeoadventures.shutterfly.com/ and will figure out a way to put that link on this blog site so you'll be oh so connected!

I love how adaptable kids are. We were in Nantucket one day and he was calling where we were staying "home"! That's going to be of much help early next year...

Nantucket!

Lloyd and I are off to Nantucket this morning to be with Greg.

Beach Day

Spent the day at the beach (got there at 9:30a.m.!) with Lloyd's best buddy Jay and his mom, my friend Kim. It was such a perfect day. I'm going to miss being five minutes from that fantastic beach. I'm going to miss an ozone layer that enables us to stay at the beach and play all day!

Support

Two Kiwis came over last night and kept me company. They get it and that does my heart good! And the take-out was yummy!

DISCRETION

Since Greg is gainfully employed, and we like it that way, please please use discretion in discussing this topic. The yachting industry is frightfully small and there are not many degress of separation between any of us...

Who To Listen To, Who to Believe...

Everyone has an opinion! I first started learning this fact when I was pregnant with our one and only son, four year old Lloyd.

Back then, it was oh! you're getting big awfully quickly! or it's a girl, I can just tell by the way you're carrying... yeah, right.

Now, it's comments from well meaning people who say now is not the time to buy over there (it isn't) and now is not the time to sell here (it isn't)... is it really true? Do we wait? Then, I lay awake and wonder well, when is going to be the right time? Huh?

Does anyone have an opinion about that? Can someone just tell us exactly what we're supposed to do and when? Please? Make this all a lot easier!