This is my attempt to answer everyone’s questions about what is going on – and also an apology/excuse for any unreturned phone calls, texts and emails. Hopefully this Timeline of Insanity will clear up any questions about the nitty gritty of our move. Because as you can see, things are moving faaaaaaast. But I am impatient. So I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Update on Phase 1: The Little Red House
Selling a house is like dating. You shove all your undesirable crap in a closet, clean yourself up real nice, keep your fingers crossed that no one catches on to your major systems issues and hope that someone picks you. That someone thinks you’re worth it. That someone wants you. That someone wants you as badly as you need to be wanted. And oh boy, do we need to be wanted right now.
We made a decision that our priority would be to keep our family unit in tact over this transition. Which basically means there will be no long distance commuting and wrapping up the school year. There will be no waiting for the house to sell before the move day. We will move as quickly as possible – together. We can debate this approach, but it’s what we’ve chosen. And once I’m set on a path, I’m not easily derailed. (You saw the Timeline of Insanity right?) So yes, considering the aggressiveness of what we are trying to do, finding a buyer for our house was the first major step in pulling this off.
First, we had to transform the Little Red House into a house that buyers would love. And even though I adore my house and what I’ve done with it, I decided to bring in a Stager to see things from a buyer’s perspective. Oh this was hard. The changes were not major, but I felt a little bit of myself and my life here being stripped away. My first instinct was to dig in my heels and clutch my things and yell, “Don’t touch my stuff! Can’t you see that this looks awful!?!?! You’re destroying what took me years to carefully compose!!!” But then I had to release. I can be sad. But then I have to let it go. We are moving, literally, moving on. And this is part of it. It’s not about my decorating choices. It’s not about me. It’s not even about selling the house. It’s about making our house attractive to the most buyers. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
I would like to think that it was the staging or my obsessive cleaning that lured people to our open house, but in reality it was our great neighborhood and pricing that were the stars of the show. I wish that I could say that I was calm, cool and collected on the day of the open house but that’s not exactly how it went down. I’ll just say that my version of clean and Kevin’s version of clean have never been on the same wavelength, so I’m not sure why I thought they would choose the morning of the open house to come together seamlessly. I’m claiming that dehydration from the stomach bug I had left me temporarily insane. But it doesn’t really matter, because we got an offer that very same day.
We are wanted. Our house is wanted. That’s a good feeling. So after a little back and forth with the buyer, our house is under agreement. There are still so many things that can go wrong, but it’s nice to know that someone out there thinks this little house is worth it. So for now, we are off the market.
I’m looking for some ideas on how to honor our house and preserve our memories here while finding peace with moving on. Would love to hear your thoughts. Have a wonderful Easter. We head to Philadelphia on Monday.
XOXOX
K
Plant a tree for the new buyer. Have us take pictures of it for you as it grows. God knows our neighborhood needs trees!
I like the idea of leaving something that everyone can see (pun intended!). But I’m not exactly known for my landscaping prowess – hence the great grass disasters of 2010, 2011 and 2012. Maybe new owner will have better luck.
Liam says make a quick dry cement imprint and either leave it or keep it with you.
Carve your names or initials on a beam in the attic or basement with the dates you lived there.
I like this. But I might be more if a Sharpie kind of girl than a carver.
I agree with Kim- that’s what the girl’s and I did…. Karolina wrote our names down (I wish I took a picture of it actually), with the date, and wrote “please take care of our house”. Try to take pics of special areas of your house/outside – Karolina misses ‘her tree’ that she would climb and read books in and has recently asked and expressed concern about it (did they cut it down?).
xoxo
Please take care of our house — sweetest thing ever. I like the idea of a photo book of our favorite things/nooks too. But worried that’s too ambitious. Maybe take photos now at least so I have the option to do something with them later.
Hi Kaly
I am hanging on every word—what an adventure. I have made an attempt at a blog as well.
Ah yes writers–we are all kindred spirtits.
Can’t wait for your next post
Nance
It is passover – take communion, bless the house to it’s new family and call the timeline a bridge to the promise land! May your new home greet you next joy.
This is a blessed house. I think there’s definitely something to that…
Hi Nancy – Thanks for coming by! Would love to hear more about your blog…
Hi Kaly,
Thanks for the blog info. It helps Barry and me to know how you are feeling and where you all are in this transition time. I agree with all the “Leave your Mark” suggestions. Write a message, sign your names, take a picture. Where is a good place? Attic? Back Deck? Sun Room? You can all decide together where to leave your message to your first home. Pack the albums from MaZann – lots of pictures there!
Roseann
Leave a treasure in the attic, like quarters and some beach glass. Papa Barry
Of course!!!! Treasure. That is our little tradition isn’t it? I love this idea.
Hi MaZann! You’re right – need to get boys involved in the decision making. Glad you were able to check out the blog.
I love reading this especially because I can hear you saying the words. When I left our house that I lived in for 25 years we all made a list of things and our fondest memories. We read them aloud to each other, cried many tears, and my parents keep them safe somewhere. We are very excited to have you in PA! Keep the stories coming and I think I should send this to my friend who is an Editor at Random House, you may have a book on your hands.
Kel
Thanks Kel for your kind words. A book huh?!?!? I must say that I like the way you think even though it makes my stomach roll a bit.
Kaly, I enjoy reading your blog a lot. I don’t have much for advice, but I feel that I would ask you a lot if we were to move one day! You are doing a fantastic job!