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.