Buying and Selling

So.....
84 days and finally we have sold our house.  The couple who showed up on our doorstep have finalized the contract.  We have just received the inspection report and the fixes are fairly minor.  Unfortunately, now comes the difficult searching of homes for us.

If I haven't stated before, we have very tight criteria for buying a home.  We are moving my father in with us.  So we need a 4 bedroom with one bedroom on the first floor with a connecting bathroom.  We need an area that my father can call his own.
We wanted a neighborhood that had a pool.  We wanted a house that has flat property and few stairs to enter.  We hoped for a fenced yard for the dogs.  A house that has busing to my daughter's high school and better base schools for when my son enters middle school.

We went house hunting with our agent on a Sunday.  We had about 14 homes to view.  Some houses had a first floor master others a "guest" suite.  Some were in established neighborhoods, some near friends.

Lord.  You can never trust what you see or read online.  Some houses were dumps.  Some were in horrid locations.  Some the property itself was a nightmare.  Examples:  One house was located literally on an expressway.  Yeah, no.
One, the floors were like a fun house.  Another home had a driveway that appeared to be at a 90 degree angle.
My husband and I picked out our top 3.  2 were in the same neighborhood in Wake Forest, the other in an established neighborhood in Raleigh.  We left with our heads spinning!

I went back with our children and my father to check out our 3 favorites.  Our number 1 was still number 1 and my dad and kids agreed!!!
We let our agent put in the initial offer.

The response was not good.   "We are not dropping the house any more and will consider renting the house out if we don't get our asking."

Really?  I just dumped my house and you are going to be this way?

We counter offered again, receiving less than stellar response.
As I sat on the beach, visiting my college roommate, my husband and I decided to give one final offer and if they didn't take it, walk away.
I was angry and a bit depressed over the whole experience.  I was frustrated with the loan process and I just wanted something to go MY WAY!
We finally received the call that said our offer was accepted.  We were able to drop the price 2K and get 5K in closing.  
The house is move-in ready and really lovely.  They have done a lot with the yard, which is fenced in, and it's in a large growing neighborhood.
Dad has his space and we have ours.   I will be stuffed in a small bedroom for the time being but that's ok. My daughter doesn't have neighborhood bussing but I will deal. My son will be in a great school district when the time comes.  Things are definitely moving in a better direction than before.

Wow.  I'm moving!

Happiness, Sadness and Everything in Between

84 days.

That is the time my house has been on the market.

On Saturday, a hispanic couple showed up at my front door.  The woman was pregnant and asked most of the questions.  She introduced herself as someone who had viewed my house *warning*.
She stated her agent wanted her to ask a few questions about the house *warning*.

Woman: We heard you were dropping your price, is that true?

Me: Uh….no.
W: Oh, I have the house confused.  Ignore that I said that.
M: Uh…o.k?
W: Do you pay a lot in electric?  We don't want to pay a lot in electric.
M: I'm on an EPP.  I pay the same amount every month.
W: Do you pay $200?  We don't want to pay $200.
M: I don't pay $200.  But it's equal payments….they average it out.  I don't think we pay that much.
W: Will you pay closing costs?
M: Um…that's what negotiations are for.  Our agents should be dealing with this.
W: Will you make any repairs to the house?
M: That's something we need to negotiate with the agents.
W: Will you leave the refrigerator?
M: That's part of the negotiations.
She then spoke to her husband in spanish and they left.  I immediately called my agent. *DANGER WILL ROBINSON*
What we have determined is the woman is the most fluent in English.  This includes the agent!

The offer came as such:
Drop the price $5K and pay 3K in closing.
No Due Deligence
$499 for a home warranty.
Counter:  Price dropped 3K and pay 3K
Due Diligence of $250 and 350 for Home warranty
2nd offer:
Drop 5K and pay 2K closing.  Due diligence and home warranty as we asked.
Counter : drop 5, pay 1 due diligence and NO HOME WARRANTY
This was accepted with us making any home repairs as found NECESSARY and within reason by a licensed home inspector.

PHEW!
Papers  are signed.  YAY!

I had mixed emotions.  I have been in my house 16 years.  Both children were born here.  It's a bittersweet feeling.
Panic ensued….Am I going to be able to afford what I want and most importantly NEED?  Oh yeah…BTW: Closing is scheduled for September 27!!!!!!!!

To get prequalified I need papers.  I need 2009 and 2010 tax returns.   I found tax returns from 1994 to 2009.  Hello? Where are my 2010 returns?  My fear is that they are PACKED IN THE POD!!!  Remember that thing?

Lord help me.

I still need prayers lifted up for me.  I REALLY appreciate all of your support!

Holy Sh*t.  I sold my house!

Chickens and Playgounds

The price was dropped about 2 weeks ago.  We have had about 4 showings in this time and limited feedback.  The feedback we did receive was very positive but at this point, no offers.
Our neighborhood FINALLY placed the second playset on the playground and tomorrow, more pictures will be taken and updated.

The new set is a HUGE monstrosity but it is already in use and the children are enjoying it.

Neighbors of ours decided to get chickens.   They have unfortunately allowed them to wander around the neighborhood which is against our covenants.  I like the girls but I agree they shouldn't be wandering free especially when I'm trying to sell my house.  My daughter has made friends with them and took their pictures.

Keep us in your thoughts.  ;)