Movin' On Up: Week Four

Well, I have some exciting news to share…

We have accepted an offer on our house!

After 26 long and emotional days on the market, Mr. and I accepted an offer and should be moving on up out of our first home at the end of September.  Getting to this point was hard.  I had no idea how much business is involved with selling a home. 

So, here’s how we ended up with an offer…

Last Saturday (August 9, 2014) we had a showing.  We didn’t really have any expectations because both Mr. and I were still stewing over the cancelled showing the previous Tuesday.  We cleaned, we hid things, and we took our dirty laundry with us- and left the house for someone to come in a judge it.

They came at 9:30 in the morning…no big deal.  We were ready for them.  Around 1:30 that afternoon we got a notification from Showing Time that this same person would like a second viewing Sunday evening.  We were like, “WHAT?!”

Sunday rolls around, we do our normal routine- church, errands, straightening up…and head on out so this person can judge our house again.  We hear nothing from them for 24 hours. 

Tuesday morning approaches and our realtor called us saying we have an offer.  I’m feeding Little Boy is pancakes, and get knots in my stomach.  She tells us the offer.

It’s $15,000 below our asking price.  In my head I’m thinking, “Are you freakin’ serious right now?”

It gets better…

+ They want us to pay for a one-year home warranty

+ They want us to move out in three days

+ They want to keep all of the kitchen appliances (stove, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator)

+ They want us to pay their closing costs

Now at this point in the conversation- I have checked out.  I’m thinking this person is a compete moron.  They want everything and they can’t even pay the price we’re asking for?  I called Mr. and we both were on the same page.  We rejected the offer.  We did come up with a counter.  We actual gave these potential buyers two choices to choose from.

Two choices!  Who does that?   

We countered back and said we would agree to everything, and even dropped $400 off the asking price.  OR they could have everything they’re wanting but we get to keep the refrigerator, and we dropped $1900 off the asking price. 

We hear nothing back from them until Wednesday morning…they have rejected both offers and have countered again…

They still want everything and only came up $6000 from their first counter offer.  (I just rolled my eyes as I typed that).  I had a bad taste in my mouth with this buyer because honestly, I was offended with their first offer.  Completely offended, I still can’t believe that they thought they could get our house with asking $15,000 off the asking price.  (Sorry dudes, we are in the market to make money.)

We rejected this offer as well…we sent them back our final offer with $2400 knocked off of the asking price and agreeing to what they had asked for. 

Our realtor was wonderful and went to bat for us each time we countered.  She wasn’t afraid to tell them that they were looking at too much house, or the fact that they were asking for everything under the sun.  She told their realtor if they wanted everything they were asking for, they were going have to pay for it.  Take it or leave it.  Needless to say, they took the final offer.

So long story short- they are having an inspection done on our house August 20^th.  If all goes as planned we should close on September 25^th…and move on up and into our dream home.

We are PUMPED!

Week Four Advice

Stick to your guns- if you aren’t in a hurry to move (and we weren’t), or in trouble with the bank (and we aren’t) then keep on waiting it out until you have the price you want for your house.  I said all along that I was not going to give this house way.  We spent way too much time, money, and effort into making it a home. 

Don’t be afraid of negotiations- Really look at what this potential buyer is asking of you.  Does their offer match what they are asking for?  Don’t let some knucklehead come in with an offer that is offensive and give in because you’re ready to move into your next dream home.  Be proactive and make sure their asking price is reasonable with they want, and what you are willing to sell for.

Hire a realtor with a backbone- You need someone who is going to work for you.  You need someone who will go to bat and call people out when they are whack.  This is what you are paying them do to…find the best buyer, get you the most money for your home, and keep the train moving.

Movin' On Up: Week Three

Still no news on the house; this past week is very similar to week 2.  EXCEPT I learned that there are some very inconsiderate in this world, let me elaborate.

Monday night I was fixing supper for our little family.  (Nothing that required an easy clean up.  No.) I was making a baked chicken and pasta dish, which required you to make everything before hand, and then bake it for 25 minutes.  Was is an easy dinner- heck yes!  Was it an easy clean up- heck no! 

So, I’m in the kitchen, cooking and entertaining Little Boy when my phone goes off.  “OMG someone wants to come and see our house!”  That’s my reaction when I see the text message from Showing Time.  Then I realize that they want to come and see our house IN AN HOUR.  It’s 5:30, I’m in the middle of making dinner, I’ve been locked up in the house with a 9 month old who is into everything…and you think I can let you come into our house in an hour?

I responded that we couldn’t have a showing at that time, but recommended they come at the same time on Tuesday evening.  I got another text back saying they wanted to come at 10:30 Tuesday morning.  “FINE!”  I’m thinking this is great, we can clean up tonight, get everything spick and span, and Little Boy and I can leave the house in the morning as soon as he’s done with his first morning bottle.

It was perfect…

It was perfect, until I received a text at 9:45 am, while I am at my in laws, saying that the showing was cancelled.  CANCELLED. 

Livid.

Disappointed.

Frustrated.

LIVID.

Mr. spent all Monday evening cleaning our home, while my sister in law and me entertained Little Boy.  Mr. didn’t get to spend any time with Little Boy, no playing, no reading, no nothing.  I can’t believe how inconsiderate people are.

When Mr. and I were house shopping, and we knew we were going to look at a home that was occupied, I asked to see the house 24-48 hours away from the time I was speaking to our realtor.  I knew that people were still going on with their lives while they were trying to sell their home.  

Doesn't everybody know this?  Needless to say, I wanted to throat punch someone.

So, our house is still for sale.  We've had one showing in three weeks, one showing cancelled, and have reduced our list price.  I don't know what is wrong.

Week Three Advice

Continue to check in with your realtor- email, text, talk on the phone.  They know exactly how frustrating the buying and selling process is.  They go through it everyday.

Try your best to keep your house ready to show- lesson learned the hard way.

Do not throat punch anyone- this is consider assault  

Movin' on Up: Week Two

16 days on the market.  Mr. and I are more than a little discouraged.  I've seen that we've had over 800 electronic views of our house, which is awesome!  I'm just discouraged that no one, not a single person, has taken interest in it.

Mr. and I both want to sell, and we are feeling the pressure.  Since we have a contingent offer on a house, and we definitely don't want to lose that house, we feel like we need to do whatever we have to do to get this house sold.

I think we need to have an open house as soon as we can.  We need to get people in here.  Our realtor advised to go ahead and drop the list price, and see if that helps with getting traffic.  I thought having an open house would be the better idea.  I figured if people say they love the house, but it's too expensive- we can work on that.  If someone comes in and says they hate this or that, it would make me feel a little better getting some type of feedback, other than what the Showing Time app says.

I know we've only had the house up for two weeks, but I thought we'd get a little more traffic.  One showing in two weeks I don't think is something to brag about.  We want to sell, but we also don't want to give he house away.  (We decided to go ahead and reduce the house.  I’ll let you know if that gets us anywhere within the next week.)

Week Two Advice

Take charge- talk to your realtor about your feelings, what is making you happy/unhappy, excited, discouraged.  A good realtor will listen and take your feelings into consideration.

Try and have an open house as soon as you can.  I think getting people into our home with out an appointment gives you better leverage on knowing what is great about your house, or what needs improvement. 

Communicate with your spouse.  You two have to be on the same page when it comes to selling.  You have to be united 100%.  Make sure you confide to each other your thoughts, feelings, and concerns.  It will make you feel better, and help you with coming up with points to bring up with your realtor.