Changes...They Are A'coming!

I have been thinking about this post since Wednesday. It is one of those topics that needed some mulling and simmering. But as so often happens, an idea took on a life of its own and as of 10 PM tonight (Friday) we have sold our home. Our home of 41 years.

But like most happenings, there is a story.

Hubby has talked most of the winter about what we were going to do if he could NOT handle mowing the yard. He has been able to mow the yard, but decided, enough is enough. So putting the house on the market was something I knew was coming. He wants to move closer to the grandkids and I'm okay with that. When in Sioux Falls last weekend, we talked to a realtor and learned the steps we would need to take to start the process. We did not look at any homes in that community, but did agree on what we would like as our next home. After all, we did not have a deadline. We have ALL summer and winter if need be!

Realtors came to our home on Wednesday morning and visited, took the pertinent information, and shared a timeline and procedures for selling. She came back this morning (Friday) at 10. We signed the papers, putting the house on the market. She went back to her office and put our house on the multiple listing service. She called at noon with two parties interested in looking at 5:15 and later at 7:00...tonight.

Hubby and I worked to make the house look ready for a showing. It was all surface stuff as there was no time for any deep cleaning, or the kind of cleaning I had planned to do prior to the realtors' walk through in 10 days. Our realtor came back at 3:30 to take inside photos, put the For Sale sign in the yard, and complete some more paperwork. Surface stuff like the ripening cantaloupe was placed in the oven along with the bread and onions! Surface stuff like the bath chair, walker and pillows from hip surgery stored in the spare bedroom in plain sight!

When we left the house at 5, someone was waiting along the street to get in the house. I got a text from the realtor at 6:30. The people from the 5:15 showing wanted to come back on Saturday at noon to look at it again. (COOL!) At 8:30 I received a second text saying the second showing is making an offer and wanted an answer by 11 PM tonight. (HOLY CRAP!)

By now there were 3 more potential showings over the next 3 days. Our realtor came by at 9 tonight with the offer. We talked and countered their offer. She made a phone call and by 9:30 tonight we signed the papers selling our house for the asking price.

(I know they opened the oven because when I walked in the house I could smell the cantaloupe! I'm almost embarrassed, but hey...the house is sold.)

After the realtors had left on Wednesday, I was thinking about all the work ahead of us. About all the stuff that needs to be sorted and tossed and sold and packed. 41 years is a LONG time. And until I know what we are moving into, I don't really know what I want to keep and move and what can be sold or repurposed. That is what the blog was going to be about...the process of deciding what things collected and gathered, bought or earned, over 41 years makes the cut of moving to the next home. There may still be a blog about all that. But for now...I am just a wee bit overwhelmed by how fast this has gone and by all we need to do in the next 45 days. Yes, closing is in 45 days. At least it isn't 5!

Changes...they are a'coming!