Selling Home…
W E E K E N D P O T P O U R R I
“A place belongs forever to whoever claims it hardest, remembers it most obsessively, wrenches it from itself, shapes it, renders it, loves it so radically that he remakes it in his own image.” – Joan Didion
Our house has been on the “market” since June 2011. The word market brings to my mind an outdoor event under some sort of tent, like a flea or farmer’s market. If only selling our house were that easy…
We have a lot of things working against us, first and foremost, A DEPRESSED ECONOMY. We’ve lived in this house for almost 15 years, always believing we had made a great investment. Had the economy continued to grow at a healthy rate, we might have made a nice little profit, but no, we’ll be lucky to break even. 
WE LIVE OFF A MAIN ROAD which, to many, is undesirable, but our house is set back far enough that it’s never been an issue. I don’t mind it really. When I pull out of my driveway I’m on my way. Meandering around a subdivision is the alternative.
Our HOUSE IS OLD. It was built in 1934. It’s a romantic shingled Cape Cod; glass door knobs, old wood floors, plaster walls, real wood burning fireplace, etc. It’s not grand, there’s no “media room,” and no “man cave.” It’s definitely not a McMansion. It’s one of a kind. This house is old and unpretentious, lived in and warm. I actually consider it to be one of my children — maybe I love it so much because it’s always been like a naughty child, something’s always breaking, it’s blowing a fuse or bursting a pipe. But after 14 years we’ve finally reached an understanding and now we get a long quite well. (Yes, we had to beat it into submission or, in nicer terms, it’s been lovingly restored.)
THERE ARE NO COMPS FOR THIS HOUSE. It’s a UNIQUE home and it’ll take a “special” person to buy this home. That’s what we’ve been told. 
WHAT I HAVEN’T TOLD YOU…
This home represents who I am. My children grew up in these happy rooms and became the people they are today. I think I did, too. Our pets lived and were loved in this storybook setting. Every paint color, piece of furniture, and fixture was carefully chosen, as was every plant and shrub. Within these walls and under this roof are the best of my memories.
It’s my hope that the person who buys this house will feel these things upon entering. I want the new owner to love this house as I have and to treasure it’s special quality – those imperceptible things that make it a home.
*Random pictures of homes were used
Hi,
Sounds like it is a terrible housing market on your side of the world, it is the same here in OZ, very sad when you feel like moving on, and you literally get stuck. I’m really sorry you are in this position. Houses are selling here but for a lot less than what they are worth. I certainly hope the situation where you are changes for you soon.
Thanks magsx2. Yeah, it’s been rough. I’m just waiting for something to change. We just dropped the price and I feel sick about it, I feel like we’re giving it away.
Someone special and who has impeccable taste needs to buy the house. It was a good old home. I really do love it. But It’s definitely time to make some new memories in a different setting! Fresh!
It’s time. It’ll be a difficult adjustment, I think? I just wish someone would buy it!!
My parents were trying to sell their home in the bad market and the day before they were going to take it off the market, a buyer from England arrived.Was looking for a vacation home.. They too felt the pull of leaving the place where much of our family life was spent..
Their new home was all the hoped for and I wish the same for you..
Funny you should mention that. The one family that actually really likes it is from England. I haven’t given up hope on them yet. They have to sell their house, though. Thanks for your well wishes. I hope this next chapter in my life turns out as well as as it did for your parents. : )
Economy is shafted big time, anyone looking to sell is going to have a hard time.
Yeah, it doesn’t help that “activity” has been pretty non-existent. It’s picking up a little, so hopefully this spring and summer will prove to be the right time. Once the cold weather hits it’s dead for months.
Beautiful thoughts about your home.
I hope you are able to move on to someplace just as wonderful!
Thanks Guapo. I really hope so to. It’s been very difficult, to say the least.
Economy is a bastard.
I’m sometimes surprised by the nonchalance with which you live in your own house. I mostly don’t mind whether it’s beautiful or not, it’s just thereand I know it and it’s all fine to me. I never feel more comfortable in any other house…
I’m someone who appreciates a beautiful and warm home. It shouldn’t be such a focus but sometimes it is. We have a lot of programs on TV here in the states, dedicated to decorating and constructing incredible homes. It’s almost like a hobby for a lot of people. Real estate is, too. People buy junky houses, fix them up and then sell them for a profit. It’s a big, big business over here.
In Europe people are probably a lot healthier and are way more balanced — they just use their homes as a place to eat and sleep! haha! This makes way more sense and is far more practical.
Don’t think too well of us! We have a new tv program over here, named ‘Operation renovation’, and there are plenty of programs in which one of the steps to success is changing a bad looking building into a brand new building.
And the magazines about it… They say that Belgians have a brick in their belly. Well, I don’t but my parents do!
That’s a relief. I’m glad Belgium is on their way to being as messed up as we are! haha!
What a beautiful essay about home! It’s true that the home where you rasied your kids is like one of you kids. It’s what keeps everybody safe and warm. And your house sounds like it’s out of a storybook. Just the kind of house I always wanted to live in. We raised our family in a 1964 rambler that was falling apart from the day we moved in, poor thing, and continued the pattern until the day we moved out! The hardest part is saying goodbye once all the furniture is out. There’s a big part of yourself that will always live in that house.
We managed to sell in a down market. What I did was picture the for sale sign with a “sold” dangling from the bottom. I pictured that every single day, several times a day and darned if it was the only house in the neighborhood that sold!
Anyway good luck. I hope your house sells soon and I’m sure your new place will be lucky to get you!! 🙂
Thanks, Linda. When I sat down to write this I thought I’d try and make it funny, talk about it being a money pit, etc. but I kept getting sentimental about it and so I just went with it. I’m glad you can relate. It’s more about the life that takes place inside than the actual bricks and mortar, but still… I think houses are a good metaphor for life.
It’ll be a huge adjustment for me – Picturing the furniture out and the empty rooms makes me sad. Even the ReMax sign makes me sad! haha!
I’m gonna try and stay positive and picture the SOLD sign dangling from the bottom as you suggest. I like that. I’ll keep you posted.
My best friend’s family put their house on the market in 2006. They all slowly moved to Florida. Then they moved back because it was never going to sell.
In lighter news, my family’s rival family (some might call them family friends, I call them rivals) sold theirs after only 2 years on the market so there is hope. Their house has a red shed in the backyard which is “ox blood” colored. That’s the actual name. They painted their house that too. Wackos. I have to have dinner there Thursday night. That’s what my social life has come to? Eating Chinese food at people my dad went to college’s home?
It was sad when we sold our home back in 2008. It was a real dump, but still I had lived in there for about 20 years. Worst thing is now I don’t really have a place I can call “home.” Yeah I have an apartment but it doesn’t feel “homie.”
I’m guessing you plan on staying in the general area?
Since Lily moved as far west as possible and my husband works a lot in California, I’m thinking it makes sense to go west. (even though I prefer the Midwest and east coast) Oh well, that’s life.
Yeah, thanks for that very promising story on the people who can’t sell their house. That makes me feel much better. Haha!
It’ll be weird to leave this house after so many years. It’s sad even having the sign out in front. : (
Heck, that’s a long time to have a house on the market, you must be stressed out by it.
I’d hate to have to move from here, we’ve been in this house a little under five years and I love it so much, it’s the first place I’ve ever lived in that I’ve loved (including the house I was brought up in which I mostly loathed.) I hope that whoever buys your house feels about it as we did about this one: when we first saw it, we fell in love with it and in fact there’s very little we’ve changed about it – nearly everything felt – and still feels – ‘perfect’ to us (my husband and I, that is) including the decor and the garden, so there’s been very little we’ve changed. Very occasionally the previous owner visits us and I think he’s surprised that it’s pretty much as he left it! 🙂
Yup, it’s stressing me. It’s a beautiful home and is worth way more than we’re asking. Who ever buys it is getting a steal. I mostly just want someone to love it as much as I do. It’s great that you found a house that you adore and it doesn’t need changing.
We’ve just had no activity. I think if I can get more people through the doors it will sell. It just takes the right person, right?
Thanks for following Val! I look forward to your comments.
I bought a St. Joe’s candle and lit it putting your name with the request the house sells. This, plus the 8762 statues you found in the back yard should do something.
Yes, you are selling part of your life–however, think of the new one ahead!!
((hugs))
Thanks kind Addie! As they say in England, “Every little helps!” I have to put my energy into selling it and only then can I think about the sadness of leaving it behind. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it even though lots of people chose to remind me of what’s ahead. haha!
I have a friend who likes to say, “God’s trains run on time.” I like that because it really takes the desperation out of the equation. It’s a good reminder to sit back and let things unfold according to the bigger plan, the one I know nothing about! ha!
God always has a plan–and, yes, we need to just step back and listen to hear what that plan is going to be, then, follow His words.
Hurry!! It’s St Joseph’s Day!! Run out and buy a new statue!!! ACK!! BURY IT!!!
hahahaha! I think I have PLENTY!!!