Several months back I mentioned an open house that we had stopped at. The house we visited was a new construction in our favorite subdivision. It boasted custom cabinetry, gorgeous walnut floors, cathedral ceilings everywhere, gobs of large windows and natural light, and upgraded everything. It had a gorgeous stone facade, and melted my heart the minute we walked through the door. I walked through the property placing our furniture and picking bedrooms for the boys.
The house had an amazing feeling to it.
The only problem with this perfect house was that it was not within our price range. Small problem, right?
We continued to focus on the other homes in this subdivision that were both affordable and wonderful to us, and as we set our hearts on each one, it sold out from under us. The last one, KJ's favorite, sold in July.
With a perfect turn of events just weeks later, Kevin landed his perfect new job, and with the market being what the market is, the perfect house also lowered its perfect price...well into our perfect price range.
I've spent the last two months dreaming of this house. I've driven through the subdivision and stopped in front of this house at least once a week. I grew thankful that the others had sold. Even though each previous sale had broken my heart, the wait was going to be more than worth it when I could call this perfect place home.
But I cannot call this place home, because someone else bought my perfect house on Saturday.
I don't think I can adequately put words to what an emotional rollercoaster this house selling experience has been. We have been on the market for sixteen weeks now - almost four months - without any luck. In order to accommodate showings, we have canceled more plans than I care to count, and I've jumped and cleaned and cut short my baby's nap for every last minute walk-through that's been offered, just in case those people might end this nightmare. When an agent calls to schedule with us, Kevin and I start the moving talk right away. We look at prospective new homes, and talk about KJ's school options and Kevin's commute. We talk about having more space and a safe neighborhood with other kids to play with. We clean the house to a spotless state, and then we sit and wait for an offer. When there is no call in a day or two or three, we crash and burn again. And then the next call comes in, and we start the roller-coastering process over.
We had three showings on Saturday. We had one showing set for Sunday, that canceled.
I cannot continue on this way.
I need to know what happens next, and how long this will continue. I need to see an end in sight. I need something new to focus on, because our favorite subdivision is built, and the houses that were a perfect fit have all been sold. A few towns over, in closer proximity to the city, there are a few houses to choose from, but while they too are at the top of our price range, their amenities include green countertops and yellow appliances and old carpeting and brown paneling.
On Saturday night Kevin and I spent five hours searching every nearby town for a new house to focus on, but we came up with too many needed repairs or unbearable commute times. We realized that maybe it was time for a new plan that could meet us exactly where we are at this moment - very ready to go, but unwilling to top out on price for something that would do more harm than good for our young family.
We cut our target price in half and began looking through real estate listings in the nicer part of our current town, and we found something.
We found a house that is larger than this one, has more bedrooms and bathrooms than this one, and is ninety-nine years newer than this one. While this house is not the house of our dreams, it is certainly a nice home that we can enjoy for a few years, until we are ready to take the big step. We've come to realize that now is just not time to buy the house of our dreams, and we've made peace with it. This is the time to save our slipping sanity.
We swore that we would not buy before we sold.
We've changed our minds.
More to come tomorrow, with some real hope, and pictures (and birthday cake!)
YIKES!! Boy am I glad I thought to check you blog before hopping in the shower. This is great news and really glad to hear you're sticking around nearby at least for a few more years. :-) Sanity is right around the corner.
Posted by: Diane | 17 September 2007 at 10:54 AM
Yeah! I had a thought while reading this post...see if the builder or whoever would consider a trade. Just a thought. I am so happy for you. It must be a relief. We were supposed to have a closing on Friday, but it was canceled. We are hoping it will close this week, but I am not feeling too confidant about anything right now.
I can't wait to see pictures.
Posted by: Erica | 17 September 2007 at 11:29 AM
Congratulations! I am very happy for you and the family - You don't need the rollercoaster rides anymore.
Posted by: Mar | 17 September 2007 at 12:14 PM
Whoa. A turning point indeed. Molly, I don't know how you've made it this long. I keep holding out hope for you guys though and keep telling myself, everything happens for a reason.
I can't wait for more. I know this isn't exactly what you wanted but it's at least something and it will at least get you out of this emotional mess so in that case, I'm so excited to see what's coming next.
(Crap, did I miss your birthday?)
Posted by: Silly Hily | 17 September 2007 at 01:02 PM
I need details. Seriously. This from the person who DID THE EXACT same thing a little over a year ago to move states.
Posted by: Amy W | 17 September 2007 at 01:07 PM
To hell with the roller coaster!!
I can't wait to see pictures.
(I love non-new houses better anyway. We just can't afford one. That's why we keep building new ones.)
YIPPPEE!
Posted by: Isabel | 17 September 2007 at 01:13 PM
Wow, how exciting! Have you already made an offer?
Can't wait to see pictures of your new house!
(And I'm also glad you're sticking around your area. I hope to be in your neck of the woods by this time next year.)
Posted by: Frema | 17 September 2007 at 01:18 PM
Yay!!!!! I can't wait~!
Posted by: ashley&family | 17 September 2007 at 02:14 PM
Good for you! Sanity is always preferable. ;)
Posted by: Sadie | 17 September 2007 at 02:22 PM
Oh good luck!!
birthday cake? that always makes things better too!
Posted by: crookedeyebrow | 17 September 2007 at 02:25 PM
"I need to know what happens next, and how long this will continue."
OMG, I know this too well.
Reading this post, and seeing that picture of The Perfect Home, I totally thought that you bought it.
But sometimes Perfect For Right Now is more perfecter than you think. And as Isabel says, "to hell with the roller coaster!"
Can't wait for More! Big! News!
(I suspect a "WAHOO!" and "congratulations on your new home!" is order, yes?)
Posted by: Liz | 17 September 2007 at 03:34 PM
Holy crap!! Change of plans, indeed!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!
YIIIIPPPPPEEEEE!!
Posted by: Rachel | 17 September 2007 at 04:10 PM
Just wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday......
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Silly Hily | 18 September 2007 at 09:29 AM
I'll be the second! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Rachel | 18 September 2007 at 10:07 AM