Monday, January 26, 2009

More Real Estate Drama...

The continuing saga of our never-ending real estate transaction...

If you're really bored and you haven't read any of my past ramblings about our bizarre real estate dealings, you might want to click here and here to catch up. Otherwise, here comes the most recent installment in the craziness.

When I last updated, we upped our offer slightly on Mr. Howell's house and he never really responded. The realtor called us about a month or so later and said that he would accept a higher offer and that was about the end of it.

More recently, we brought a friend of ours in on the case who is also a broker and happens to now work in the same office as the broker that has the listing on the house.

Under his supervision, we resubmitted our offer with the same price as before, but also adding in a contingency clause to sell our house first--so it was actually inferior to our previous offer--but the market has gone down the tubes even more since then, so that's what we felt comfortable with.

We submitted this about two weeks ago--our new realtor telling us that we should get an answer in a day.

A day went by--still nothing, but the realtor said Mr. Howell needed another day to discuss it with his daughters (he's a widower). Another day...nothing.

Another week...nothing.

Our realtor was getting more and more frustrated as it was nearly impossible to reach the listing agent, and when he could speak with her, details were always sketchy about why we weren't hearing back.

It all started to become laughable to me!

Then finally, on Friday our realtor called and said that the he found out the seller was working on some kind of cryptic deal and couldn't make a decision until he was finished. He wouldn't reveal what this mysterious deal was to anyone except his listing broker and she was sworn to secrecy. She would only tell us that it was "something really weird." (!!!)

At that point, we issued a kind of an ultimatum that we would "appreciate" an answer by noon on Saturday. Sooo much time had gone by and we just couldn't stand being in limbo anymore!

Of course, noon rolled by with no word, so we went on with our weekend. I headed out to get some stuff framed (including an original Little Edie poster--I'm so excited to have it!).

Anyway, while I was at the frame place, Don called to say our offer had been accepted!! I was shocked!

So, at first, I was really excited--but as the day went on, I started to feel overcome with panic.

It didn't help that when we went out to dinner to celebrate, Gooser sobbed through the whole meal because he doesn't want to move. But he started to perk up a little when I told him that the closets of the new house would make very good batcaves!

In the middle of the night, I woke up consumed with doubt and worry that we are making the wrong decision, but after talking to Don today, I feel better about it.

The next obstacle now will be selling our house--Mr. Howell changed the contract giving us only 45 days to sell. I don't know if that's even possible--but we're going to try!

In the next week or so, I'm going to be in a frenzy of cleaning and organizing--in fact, I think I'm going to box up a bunch of crap and put it in storage so my house doesn't look so cluttered.

Please wish us luck--we're going to need it!


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26 comments:

SouthernDogwoods said...

Yippee!!! How exciting! Wishing you the best of luck, cleaning & selling your home.

PS you have got to find out what deal he was working on - I am so intrigued!!!

Tonya said...

That's great news! I am so excited for you!!

Good luck with selling your house!

Becky said...

I can't wait to see some pictures of this place...you have got my curiousity up alot now.

Good Luck!

Ronda's Rants said...

I wish you every happiness and that God will guide you each and every step of the way! I wish that each step passes effortlessly so that will be a sign to you that is was meant to be!
Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Good Luck Jen!!

Jennifer said...

Jen, what fabulous news!!! I'm so happy for you! Good Luck and keep us updated, girl. =)

Erin said...

CONGRATS!!
Hope evverything goes well!

Rebecca Jo said...

Good luck with the packing... I'm sure it will be an adventure... And love how you persuaded Gooser with the move... anything for the batman!

Mimi said...

Good luck! Mr. Howell sounds a little "different", wonder if he'll leave behind any weird stuff?

Ashley said...

Oh - How exciting! I'm so happy for you! I know it is a hard decision but I'm sure this will be a great move for your family... what with all I've heard of the batcaves in the new house. Haha! Congratulations and good luck with the moving and selling! I'm sure this will all come with some good blogging stories for us! Haha!

Oh - and I left you an award over at my place on Friday. Come pick it up!!

Unknown said...

YEEEHAAAA !!!

Congratulations and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed, that your home will be sold quickly!!

Jen said...

I am so happy for you and I wish you the best of luck!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I can't wait to see pics of the new house.

I think putting stuff in storage is a great idea...since things are moving so fast it might make things seem less overwhelming for you too. Good luck!!!!

Poor lil Gooser...you guys do have lots of great memories in your house.....

CaraBee said...

How exciting! It's true the market isn't what it used to be, but houses are still selling everyday. I'm sure you'll be fine. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congrats & good luck. I think the panic is totally normal, especially considering what you went through. I'm dying to know what the "mysterious deal" was!

amelia bedelia said...

Hey Congrats!! Can't wait to see the new house all new and decorated! Good luck!

Susie said...

Good luck!! I hope it all turns out the way you want it too:-)

Anonymous said...

OMG yeah! And yes good luck it's so hard right now and it is such an emotional roller coaster. My house is going up on the market soon and I'm dreading it so much. Very stressful and I hope you sell it!

Jenni said...

Oh I am SO happy for you guys! What the heck took him so long to accept, I wonder!

GOOD LUCK selling your house! I hope it gets snapped right up!

Anonymous said...

Bat cave - too funny - I remember those days with the boys- laughing
Congrats on the news - good luck with selling your home

Anonymous said...

All sorts of luck coming your way! Congrats on the acceptance. But only 45 days? In a market that's slow? Will really be thinking about you guys over the next month.

This buying and selling stuff can really become a headache and in today's market, it's almost a nightmare. I don't know where you are, but here along the coast in Maine, it's bad enough that things are so ridiculously overpriced...but now things aren't selling at all, and added to that the naval base nearby is closing and that's going to sink things even more. We were going to put out house on the market in May but we're going to hold off now.

Looking forward to hearing all about your journey over the next 6 weeks!

GOOD LUCK!

Sugar Boogers & Tantrums said...

Congrats that it went through for you. I know that must be exciting. And good luck on selling your house!!

Happy Monday!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Geesh, couldn't they make this easier for you?? Good luck selling the house!

Unknown said...

I am SO excited for you, but my stomach is a little nervous about the 45 day thing.
It'll be fine, I know it will!

Aubrey said...

LOL
OK! Now I am caught up! I guess I should always start with the older posts first!

How exciting! I can't wait to see pictures of the new house!

Jen said...

Good luck! I hope the house sells quickly!