Since we listed our house for sale nearly a year ago and successfully sold it in under 6 months in this crappy economy; some deluded part of me believes that I would be an awesome real estate agent. Not that I want to be one. No offense. But since the market stinks right now, its not exactly the "opportunity" I am looking for.
However, I just visited a new blog that has verified the fact that there are a LOT of really REALLY bad real estate agents out there and I could help steer people away from them?
Check it out: LovelyListing.com
Click on the actual listing so that you can see how awesomely bad each one is. Fantastic. This is why the real estate market is crap.
Showing posts with label selling a house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label selling a house. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Pictures PICTURES Pictures!!!
I haven't updated with pictures in quite awhile so first:
We went as The Wiggles for Halloween this year. Can you say "easiest costume in the world" with me?
I went to visit my sister in New Jersey for four days without the kids. I slept in the most luxurious "temperpedic" bed with royal sheets. I felt like a princess every night when I went to sleep and I took my sweet time getting up every morning. It was bliss to travel without kids and to get to play with my niece and nephew (whom I love dearly and hardly get to see!)
We got to go see "A Tale of Two Cities" on Broadway and visited Ikea TWICE in two days! It was great fun!
Then I came home to see that hardwood floors were being installed at our house and so I can now post some pictures from the new house!
As our new homeowner gift to ourselves, we bought a new backpack leaf blower because we had to load 35 bags of leaves this weekend. For just the front yard.. Fantastic.
We went as The Wiggles for Halloween this year. Can you say "easiest costume in the world" with me?
I went to visit my sister in New Jersey for four days without the kids. I slept in the most luxurious "temperpedic" bed with royal sheets. I felt like a princess every night when I went to sleep and I took my sweet time getting up every morning. It was bliss to travel without kids and to get to play with my niece and nephew (whom I love dearly and hardly get to see!)
We got to go see "A Tale of Two Cities" on Broadway and visited Ikea TWICE in two days! It was great fun!
Then I came home to see that hardwood floors were being installed at our house and so I can now post some pictures from the new house!
As our new homeowner gift to ourselves, we bought a new backpack leaf blower because we had to load 35 bags of leaves this weekend. For just the front yard.. Fantastic.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Don't Even Get Me Started
Today we are moving!
It might come as a surprise to some of you, but I have not been posting about all of this because well...it has been a pretty insane process to sell our current house and buy the next house. I will break it down for you here:
Last year, we switch high schools for Young Life from the school where we were leaders for six years to a high school that has really strong Young Life. All of their leaders departed for grown-updom and there was nobody to head up the ministry. Matt and I knew that the Lord was calling us to this high school and so we started the long process of getting our hearts AND house ready to sell.
Early in the spring, we were approached by my sister-in-law's (Buffy) mother-in-law (Got THAT?) who lives in Asheville near the area we were looking to buy; and she expressed an interest to move near to her son and Buffy. Would we be interested in buying her house? She named a price and well...we were VERY INTERESTED.
But we knew that some crazy stuff was going to have to happen. Such as, sell our house AND her have a new job that started simultaneously with our closing date. But we knew that God had called us to this new part of town and this was not beyond his abilities to orchestrate.
We all agreed to try to make this happen, however bizarre it might seem.
So we listed our house and had a lot of traffic over the summer and even came under contract albeit briefly.
Right after our first club, I totally lost heart with this process. I was overwhelmed with high school kids I didn't know, the ones that I did know and the ones that want me to know them better. I just wanted very badly for us to get to move down near them because it is so much harder to have relationships when you don't shop, live etc. all in the same neighborhood as them. It is really a Jesus philosophy because he came to US and moved into the neighborhood of Jerusalem in order to speak directly to those he loved. We want to do the same thing and thought that it was never going to happen.
Mostly, I lost heart because the news that mortgage market was tightening up and nobody was getting loans. I saw the writing on the wall that would mean nobody would buy our house.
The very next day we had a second showing on our house and on the very day that the market plunged 700 points-we had a contract on our house! It was unbelievable! People are amazed that we were able to sell our house in this market, IN THIS MONTH. The worst financial month in history. Oh, and we needed to close in 21 days.
We have had no problems qualifying for our mortgage which is incredible too.
The biggest "X" factor was that seller also needed to get a job this month too. Not so easy. As soon as we told her that we had a contract, she freaked out. But a few days later approached her boss and told them the situation. They decided that it would be best for all parties if she continued her job via telecommuting. So she could go ahead, move to Florida AND be able to BUY a house since she still has her steady employment.
Seriously y'all? I can't make this stuff up.
So we are moving into her house this afternoon and tomorrow. Matt's mom and sister have graciously taken the kids off of our hands since Sunday so that we can make the move happen without them underfoot. And to tell the truth, that has made this seem like a vacation rather than the most stressful week of the Fall.
How 'bout them apples?
I will post pictures of the new house as we get settled. Stay tuned!
It might come as a surprise to some of you, but I have not been posting about all of this because well...it has been a pretty insane process to sell our current house and buy the next house. I will break it down for you here:
Last year, we switch high schools for Young Life from the school where we were leaders for six years to a high school that has really strong Young Life. All of their leaders departed for grown-updom and there was nobody to head up the ministry. Matt and I knew that the Lord was calling us to this high school and so we started the long process of getting our hearts AND house ready to sell.
Early in the spring, we were approached by my sister-in-law's (Buffy) mother-in-law (Got THAT?) who lives in Asheville near the area we were looking to buy; and she expressed an interest to move near to her son and Buffy. Would we be interested in buying her house? She named a price and well...we were VERY INTERESTED.
But we knew that some crazy stuff was going to have to happen. Such as, sell our house AND her have a new job that started simultaneously with our closing date. But we knew that God had called us to this new part of town and this was not beyond his abilities to orchestrate.
We all agreed to try to make this happen, however bizarre it might seem.
So we listed our house and had a lot of traffic over the summer and even came under contract albeit briefly.
Right after our first club, I totally lost heart with this process. I was overwhelmed with high school kids I didn't know, the ones that I did know and the ones that want me to know them better. I just wanted very badly for us to get to move down near them because it is so much harder to have relationships when you don't shop, live etc. all in the same neighborhood as them. It is really a Jesus philosophy because he came to US and moved into the neighborhood of Jerusalem in order to speak directly to those he loved. We want to do the same thing and thought that it was never going to happen.
Mostly, I lost heart because the news that mortgage market was tightening up and nobody was getting loans. I saw the writing on the wall that would mean nobody would buy our house.
The very next day we had a second showing on our house and on the very day that the market plunged 700 points-we had a contract on our house! It was unbelievable! People are amazed that we were able to sell our house in this market, IN THIS MONTH. The worst financial month in history. Oh, and we needed to close in 21 days.
We have had no problems qualifying for our mortgage which is incredible too.
The biggest "X" factor was that seller also needed to get a job this month too. Not so easy. As soon as we told her that we had a contract, she freaked out. But a few days later approached her boss and told them the situation. They decided that it would be best for all parties if she continued her job via telecommuting. So she could go ahead, move to Florida AND be able to BUY a house since she still has her steady employment.
Seriously y'all? I can't make this stuff up.
So we are moving into her house this afternoon and tomorrow. Matt's mom and sister have graciously taken the kids off of our hands since Sunday so that we can make the move happen without them underfoot. And to tell the truth, that has made this seem like a vacation rather than the most stressful week of the Fall.
How 'bout them apples?
I will post pictures of the new house as we get settled. Stay tuned!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Just a little bit of the crazzy
At Matt's Grandmother's house, there was a picture that one of the cousin's drew that had a headline that read, "Slap Me, I'm CRAZZZZY!" Which is exactly how I feel at the moment.
Our house officially is under contract. The appraisal and inspection have gone through fine. We have a "domino closing" set for Friday, October 31st.
The house we are buying in South Asheville is truly from the Lord, but turning this whole thing around in the next 10 days is insane.
I have packed about 15 boxes and I have not even scratched the surface. And I feel like I have very little in the way of "clutter" as compared to most people I know. So, how do normal people move? I don't know, we are going to make it happen but not before we have a committee meeting, two YL clubs, work every day, two college life meetings, two soccer games, Matt is speaking next weekend at Windy Gap and as soon as we move into the house; I am leaving for a four-day trip to New Jersey to see my sister.
Fantastic. Why wouldn't I sit around for the evening watching the new Real Simple show on TLC, followed by a two-hour game of Settlers of Catan? It's not like I have anything to DO.
Our house officially is under contract. The appraisal and inspection have gone through fine. We have a "domino closing" set for Friday, October 31st.
The house we are buying in South Asheville is truly from the Lord, but turning this whole thing around in the next 10 days is insane.
I have packed about 15 boxes and I have not even scratched the surface. And I feel like I have very little in the way of "clutter" as compared to most people I know. So, how do normal people move? I don't know, we are going to make it happen but not before we have a committee meeting, two YL clubs, work every day, two college life meetings, two soccer games, Matt is speaking next weekend at Windy Gap and as soon as we move into the house; I am leaving for a four-day trip to New Jersey to see my sister.
Fantastic. Why wouldn't I sit around for the evening watching the new Real Simple show on TLC, followed by a two-hour game of Settlers of Catan? It's not like I have anything to DO.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Good News
We have a contract on our house!
The inspection has been scheduled for Friday morning, we just have to get through that AND get approved for our mortgage and everything will be set to close on October 31st. That is only 25 days away. NUTS!!!!
The inspection has been scheduled for Friday morning, we just have to get through that AND get approved for our mortgage and everything will be set to close on October 31st. That is only 25 days away. NUTS!!!!
Mortgage Woes
So the Dow is down even more than last Monday and guess what we are doing? Submitting our final paperwork for our next mortgage.
GAG.
Our timing is impeccable.
We received an offer this morning that was very low, we have countered and are waiting to hear back. It's a tough game to play.
GAG.
Our timing is impeccable.
We received an offer this morning that was very low, we have countered and are waiting to hear back. It's a tough game to play.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
One of the Best Weekends
We are heading into another work week, but can I say that I think we had one of the greatest weekends we have had as a family.
Our kids rocked. They slept, they played, they stayed up late. It was good times.
Friday night
We went to the North Buncombe/TCR Football game. And my kids charmed the entire color guard until we became friends. Seriously. I hit it off with an ENTIRE PACK of high school girls thanks to my kids. Who says you can't do Young Life as a grown-up? Not me. It was awesome.
We lost the game, but headed home and the kids went right to bed thanks to it being nearly 10 and they were FREEZING at the game. I have to go buy Lucy a hoodie-SOON.
Also, Robin Plemmons water broke in the middle of the night on Friday! YAY baby Ruby on Saturday!
Saturday
Sky Top Apple Orchard. If you live in the area and haven't visited this orchard in Flat Rock, then you don't know what you are missing. It is good clean, CHEAP family fun. We packed a picnic and met the Knauers and the Goforths at the Orchard.
We all played on the playground, picked AMAZINGLY good apples right from the trees.
Fed the chickens, sheep and goats. Walked through the "Bamboo Forest" and took a tractor ride. We followed that up with fresh made doughnuts, went home and took a three hour nap.
That was me. The kids slept for two hours. God bless Matt Sloan and a white noise machine for giving me the gift of a long nap.
The entire day, I was trying to get updates on Robin. But nothing was happening. Ruby just wants us to wait.
We ate pizza and took a family walk. The kids played and we had a great evening around the house. They went to bed and we just watched college football and enjoyed life around the house. It was the second weekend since July that we have had at home and it felt amazing to just sit here.
Sunday
Church and it was awesome. Best service we have experienced thus far. Anxious about Robin the whole time. After church, I had enough. I got dressed for my soccer game and went to the hospital. I got to see Robin and Zack and they looked terrible. It had been 36 hours of labor and nothing was happening. They were talking about a c-section.
I left to go to my soccer game which we won. It has been so fun to play with my college teammate, Lexi. That was followed with a 2-year old birthday party for Bennett Knauer, then back to the hospital. Ruby was born soon after I got there!
YAY!
I knew it would be awhile before I could see Robin, so I decided to wait until tomorrow. Came home and got a call from our real estate agent that we will have an offer on the house tomorrow! WOO HOO! We might even have 2 offers since there are a few other people interested. We will have to wait and see tomorrow!
We also had a YL team meeting to plan for the rest of the semester and let's just say-I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do with us all this year.
Speaking of that, we are leaving for Sharp Top on Friday with over 100 kids from Buncombe County. Somehow, I don't have anyone to watch my kids for the weekend, so if anyone I know wants to take on this task...drop me a line!
Our kids rocked. They slept, they played, they stayed up late. It was good times.
Friday night
We went to the North Buncombe/TCR Football game. And my kids charmed the entire color guard until we became friends. Seriously. I hit it off with an ENTIRE PACK of high school girls thanks to my kids. Who says you can't do Young Life as a grown-up? Not me. It was awesome.
We lost the game, but headed home and the kids went right to bed thanks to it being nearly 10 and they were FREEZING at the game. I have to go buy Lucy a hoodie-SOON.
Also, Robin Plemmons water broke in the middle of the night on Friday! YAY baby Ruby on Saturday!
Saturday
Sky Top Apple Orchard. If you live in the area and haven't visited this orchard in Flat Rock, then you don't know what you are missing. It is good clean, CHEAP family fun. We packed a picnic and met the Knauers and the Goforths at the Orchard.
We all played on the playground, picked AMAZINGLY good apples right from the trees. 
Fed the chickens, sheep and goats. Walked through the "Bamboo Forest" and took a tractor ride. We followed that up with fresh made doughnuts, went home and took a three hour nap.
That was me. The kids slept for two hours. God bless Matt Sloan and a white noise machine for giving me the gift of a long nap.
The entire day, I was trying to get updates on Robin. But nothing was happening. Ruby just wants us to wait.
We ate pizza and took a family walk. The kids played and we had a great evening around the house. They went to bed and we just watched college football and enjoyed life around the house. It was the second weekend since July that we have had at home and it felt amazing to just sit here.
Sunday
Church and it was awesome. Best service we have experienced thus far. Anxious about Robin the whole time. After church, I had enough. I got dressed for my soccer game and went to the hospital. I got to see Robin and Zack and they looked terrible. It had been 36 hours of labor and nothing was happening. They were talking about a c-section.
I left to go to my soccer game which we won. It has been so fun to play with my college teammate, Lexi. That was followed with a 2-year old birthday party for Bennett Knauer, then back to the hospital. Ruby was born soon after I got there!
YAY!
I knew it would be awhile before I could see Robin, so I decided to wait until tomorrow. Came home and got a call from our real estate agent that we will have an offer on the house tomorrow! WOO HOO! We might even have 2 offers since there are a few other people interested. We will have to wait and see tomorrow!
We also had a YL team meeting to plan for the rest of the semester and let's just say-I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do with us all this year.
Speaking of that, we are leaving for Sharp Top on Friday with over 100 kids from Buncombe County. Somehow, I don't have anyone to watch my kids for the weekend, so if anyone I know wants to take on this task...drop me a line!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
An update
I have had a few emails and phone calls about the showing yesterday and so here is an update!
The folks that came for a second showing yesterday already have a house under contract. That house showed $20,000 worth of damage in its inspection. The buyers have started looking at other houses even though the seller has agreed to fix the problems. They are trying to decide whether to soldier on with the house or just move on. If they move on, we are one of their top choices. But they have only one child and would like to have more and are concerned with the floorplan. So, you never know.
BUT...we had someone cancel a showing yesterday and rescheduled today! They looked at the house with FIVE MINUTES NOTICE and loved it! We are in their top three and supposedly they will be making a decision soon!
I took a look around my house tonight and decided that I am really tired of keeping it so clean. I love it and hate it all at the same time. It is so nice to come home to, but the stress is exhausting for everyone. It would be really nice to get an offer that is close to reasonable, we pass the inspection and appraisal and can move on. We love our house, but do not love the selling process.
I hope that the end is near.
The folks that came for a second showing yesterday already have a house under contract. That house showed $20,000 worth of damage in its inspection. The buyers have started looking at other houses even though the seller has agreed to fix the problems. They are trying to decide whether to soldier on with the house or just move on. If they move on, we are one of their top choices. But they have only one child and would like to have more and are concerned with the floorplan. So, you never know.
BUT...we had someone cancel a showing yesterday and rescheduled today! They looked at the house with FIVE MINUTES NOTICE and loved it! We are in their top three and supposedly they will be making a decision soon!
I took a look around my house tonight and decided that I am really tired of keeping it so clean. I love it and hate it all at the same time. It is so nice to come home to, but the stress is exhausting for everyone. It would be really nice to get an offer that is close to reasonable, we pass the inspection and appraisal and can move on. We love our house, but do not love the selling process.
I hope that the end is near.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The House Saga Continues
As many of you know, our house is STILL for sale. It has only been a few months, but it is getting old. Especially since the house across the street is for sale as well AND more expensive. So people that are looking at that house just want to take a peek at ours and this results in five minutes notice before they are in the house.
This weekend we had a showing and had a full day's notice before they came in. How fantastic! We got to mop the floors, dust the bookshelves and get all the junk out that just clutters up the house.
They are coming back tonight to take another look. From 5:30-6:30!!!
We hope that they want to buy it. Seriously.
We had YL club last night (the first one of the year) and 70 kids showed up. 70! And I can safely say that I knew about 12. Which leave 58 kids to get to know, plus their parents, friends etc. It was overwhelming. And so exciting. We had a ton of fun and it made me love what we get to do even more.
It also made me want to move more quickly. The real reason we are moving is to be near high school kids that we have been called to. This is NOT a money making venture. This is a Jesus venture. Please pray that we would get an offer that is in the ballpark and that we can move forward on this! We are officially READY to make it happen!
This weekend we had a showing and had a full day's notice before they came in. How fantastic! We got to mop the floors, dust the bookshelves and get all the junk out that just clutters up the house.
They are coming back tonight to take another look. From 5:30-6:30!!!
We hope that they want to buy it. Seriously.
We had YL club last night (the first one of the year) and 70 kids showed up. 70! And I can safely say that I knew about 12. Which leave 58 kids to get to know, plus their parents, friends etc. It was overwhelming. And so exciting. We had a ton of fun and it made me love what we get to do even more.
It also made me want to move more quickly. The real reason we are moving is to be near high school kids that we have been called to. This is NOT a money making venture. This is a Jesus venture. Please pray that we would get an offer that is in the ballpark and that we can move forward on this! We are officially READY to make it happen!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Hoping and Wishing and Praying
We have had two different showings on our house since Saturday that have given me a combined 8 minutes prep time before they were in my house.
On Thursday, I had to turn down a showing because they gave me five minutes heads up and both my kids just laid down for their naps. They were both sick and I just couldn't make magic happen.
On Saturday, the listing service called and asked if they could walk through my house in five minutes. My friend Caroline was over and so she helped me pick up blocks and other toys and then she scooted out to go to work. The agent thought that was me leaving the house and so they came right in. It was like a scene from a movie. The door handle opening, me flipping on the light and escaping to my basement to tidy up down there while they walked around upstairs. As soon as I heard their feet on the stairs, I walked out through the garage with all of laundry in tow!
Today, another agent called...gave me TWO minutes heads up and just went ahead and rang the doorbell since it was obvious I was still in the house straightening up. I got to chat while trying to not look like a woman losing her mind and shoo my kids out the door as they simultaneously are trying to grab everything that I am cleaning up.
Turns out, both parties are interested in the house!
Please pray that something happens this week. I am about to keel over with trying to keep my house clean while all of these people are springing showings on me!
On Thursday, I had to turn down a showing because they gave me five minutes heads up and both my kids just laid down for their naps. They were both sick and I just couldn't make magic happen.
On Saturday, the listing service called and asked if they could walk through my house in five minutes. My friend Caroline was over and so she helped me pick up blocks and other toys and then she scooted out to go to work. The agent thought that was me leaving the house and so they came right in. It was like a scene from a movie. The door handle opening, me flipping on the light and escaping to my basement to tidy up down there while they walked around upstairs. As soon as I heard their feet on the stairs, I walked out through the garage with all of laundry in tow!
Today, another agent called...gave me TWO minutes heads up and just went ahead and rang the doorbell since it was obvious I was still in the house straightening up. I got to chat while trying to not look like a woman losing her mind and shoo my kids out the door as they simultaneously are trying to grab everything that I am cleaning up.
Turns out, both parties are interested in the house!
Please pray that something happens this week. I am about to keel over with trying to keep my house clean while all of these people are springing showings on me!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Picture of the Week
I have been waking up early (thanks to Asher) and deciding to not go back to bed. But instead let Matt be in charge and I have been going running at the lake that is a few minutes from our house. It has been great to be outside, by myself at the start of my day. The other morning, I pulled into the parking lot and I looked over my shoulder to see this sight:
Thankfully, I happened to have my camera in the car in order to capture the moment. Click on the picture to get all of the details.
How is it possible that I don't want to get up and run every single morning at Beaver Lake? I have no idea.
Also, how is it possible that our house won't sell even though it is exactly four minutes away from our house? My mind is baffled.
Thankfully, I happened to have my camera in the car in order to capture the moment. Click on the picture to get all of the details.
How is it possible that I don't want to get up and run every single morning at Beaver Lake? I have no idea.
Also, how is it possible that our house won't sell even though it is exactly four minutes away from our house? My mind is baffled.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Virtual Tour
If you want to take a look at how our house looks after staging, take a look at this virtual tour!
JD Jackson website
JD Jackson website
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Before and After
This was the best picture that I could find of my living room before we were "staged"
Doesn't it look great? Click on the picture to see all of the "details".
We are DONE with working on the house. I am going back tonight to watch TV, clean out the fridge and freezer and take the garbage down. We basically need a small dumpster for all that we have gotten rid of this week. Without freecycle, we might really be in trouble!
Please pray that the right buyer would find our house this month. I would LOVE to be under contract by the end of the month. I know that is a lot to ask in this financial climate, but our house is in great shape, we aren't there and it is priced well. PRAY!
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