People pay money for excitement like this (Updated)

(Cue Rollercoaster song, again.)

At the early part of the week I had made up my mind that it was time for something to happen with the house.  If it didn't want to sell, then FINE, we would take matters into our own hands and rent it out.  But this business of shelling out month after month of carrying costs?  Over.

I have to say that the most nerve-wracking part about the rental process (thus far) has been my complete lack of experience in creating legal documents for renters to fill out - applications, rental agreement, lead-based paint disclaimer, renter's insurance referral, etc.  I've never been a Landlord before, nor have I ever been a renter.  Thankfully I had received both advice and cheat-sheets from a few wonderful readers here, and that has been a great help in covering all the bases. 

So on Monday afternoon as I was trying to get organized, I received a call from our real estate agent that she was actually standing on the front porch of our house while a showing was going on inside.  It was going really, really well, she said.  The potential buyer was yet another young girl from my sister's work who had seen our flyer.  (Yes, flyers.  We're not playing around here.)  Anyway, our agent was quite excited that This Could Be It, right under the wire, as I'd already discussed our plans to give the real estate market a swift kick by Thursday.  She would let me know the next morning whether or not it would be a go.

The next morning she called with the unsurprising news that the girl had decided not to place an offer after all, as she was really looking for something with walk-in closets.  She has a lot of clothing - a ton, as she kept telling our agent, and she was very concerned about where to put it all without a walk-in closet.  That, and her spare wardrobe...for other clothing.  (Holy crap, clothing girl!)  (Also, kiss that fun goodbye, sister - you're nineteen, newly pregnant and house shopping.) 

Anyway.

I continued working on rental documents, and was alerted to another showing that would be taking place Wednesday afternoon.  FORGET IT, I told Kevin.  Not getting my hopes up, not ceasing my work to get this house payment into someone else's hands, even if that means it's still in our name. 

We didn't hear anything on Wednesday's showing.

So just before lunch today I stopped by the old house, feeling a little nervous but also excited for the possible new beginning about to take place.  And just as I'm pushing the rental sign into the ground, a car beeps at me and pulls into my driveway.  It's a real estate agent and he is bringing Wednesday's people back for a second showing.  Now, early on, second showings used to make me panic.  Because seriously, they're interested.  But at this point, we have not only had more than our fair share of offers-gone-bad, but also second showings?  Pfft.  Too many to count.

"Stay," the agent encouraged me.  "They might want to ask you questions."

I really did want to get out of there.  I didn't want to be the one responsible for blurting out something like, Keep your kids out of the busy street!  No, wait, come back.  Please buy our houuuuuse.  Also, I was very nervous since the last time I had KJ at a showing he POINTED OUT A SMALL HOLE IN A WALL to the less than amused couple.  (Hey you want to see the basement, too?  The ancient brick walls seep rain water!)

The couple was very concerned about none other than whether their bedroom furniture would all fit (apparently 1904 builders and 2008 furniture manufacturers DON'T TALK).  I tried to be as reassuring as possible, that we did actually cram a queen sized bed, oversized dressers, and a baby pack-n-play into that room all at the same time. 

It wasn't spacious, but it did all fit.

I answered their other random questions about heating costs and electricity, and whether or not it was okay to place a sofa over a cold air return (bashes self in head with nearby heavy object) and away we went.  The agent promised that he would give us an answer within two hours so that we would know whether we should remove our rental sign.

And five minutes after we pulled out of the driveway?  I received a call from an interested potential renter.  She and I set up an appointment to look at the house and write on my pretty documents on Saturday.

We are either selling or renting out this house.  And it is happening this week, so help me.

Update: Yes, we are doing something with this house this week.  We are, apparently, renting it out -- which is fine.  The buyers couldn't get comfortable with the sizes of the bedrooms, so I happily moved on to the EIGHT PHONE CALLS I received in the first four hours the sign was in front of the house.  I had a showing tonight with a woman who wants to scare the bejeezus out of me rent to own over two years and tried to give me money on the spot, followed by five more appointments scheduled for the next two days.  Although I feel very much in over my head right now, I'm so glad to see something happening with the house. Sweet, sweet something.

Comments

[erica]

Doesn't it feel good? That is usually the way it works. Hope you have a great weekend. I am going to take pictures. Lots of pictures.

[debi]

Finally. I am so happy for you.

[Hilary]

Oh wow. Interested buyer and renter. One of them has to come through. Yay. I can't wait to hear what happens. Will you update this post in two hours when you hear from the potential buyers?

[milk&honey]

It's been two hours, did the agent call you back yet? Eh? EH?

[Sadie]

Wow, when it rains it pours!! Or, what's the positive version of that? Anyway, I'm so glad for you that this is going to be over one way or another very soon. I know the feeling when it feels like your life just drags out waiting for one problem or issue to resolve itself.

Good luck!!

[liz]

I hope that the renter and the buyer have to duke it out and all you and Kevin and the kids have to do is sit back and watch.
And count your money.

[Jen L.]

Yay! Glad the waiting game's almost over for you.

[SJ]

ACK! I'm totally overjoyed! And happy! And Yay! I think I could just cry right now I'm SO HAPPY for you guys!

It's almost over. Good Luck!

[Jennifer]

If the selling falls through, what about having a property management company manage the renting of the property. That way they deal with the paperwork and rental issues that come up?

I hope one of those two people follows through and you don't have to worry so much about all this. Every time you post I wonder if it's going to be good news!

[BetteJo]

Renting is something I have had to do, and I much prefer renting a house than an apartment, condo, or townhouse. And rent to own? If you are doing that - it's a wonderful thing. It allows someone who might not otherwise be able to buy a house to do so.
From the business side - hell - somebody rents it and pays the mortgage - you build more equity, well, when the market improves. I think it's a win win, and I hope it works out for you.

[Rachael]

Yay! I hope that one of them works out for you.

[John Wilkes and Liberty!]

Best of luck with your excursion into property management. I'm sure, as ever, you will rise to the occasion. Hell, my landlord is an old hippie who dries his laundry on the lawn, so if a guy like that can do it, I am sure you will have no trouble.

One suggestion: could you be a wacky landlord? Like Don Knotts on Three's Company? Just a thought.

Lastly, of course 1904 builders and 2008 furniture makers don't talk. In 1904, the only people who owned furniture were the king and his ministers.

Regular people sat on the floor until the 1970's when Henry Kissinger traded the Chinese disco balls and reruns of the Gong Show for furniture and pandas.

Hey, I'm a historian...I know these things.

[Liza]

Good luck good luck good luck!!!

[Allison]

Oh... I just let out a big sigh for you! I know it's not ideal, but its something, and that has to feel good!

[Allison]

p.s. - you should TOTALLY do the wacky landlord thing!! How fun would that be? So much fun!

[Hilary]

Oh wow! See, everything happens for a reason. With so many people interested in renting, you can really pick your renters instead of just taking some. Let them pay for the house and like someone else said, build the equity back up an maybe when the market is better you can turn this into a profit after all. I'm so excited. It sounds so promising! Good luck, Molly.

[Diane Arias]

Hey, Molly ... you've been in my thoughts with all this house craziness, and I agree with BettyJo you're giving some else a chance at homeowning. And with the right renter they're SO appreciative for the opportunity.

[Operation Pink Herring]

Oh, thank goodness! I think renting will be OK, as long as you find a good renter... and I'm sure there's a great renter somewhere in that pile of calls!

I am so happy for you guys.

[bubblewench]

Glad to here there is some action going on with this. Best of luck.

[Amy W]

Pass some renters my way!!

Are you doing the rent to own thing? Let me know if you want to know what my husband requires out of rent-to-owners...

[HollowSquirrel]

I promise you, if I win the lotto, I'll buy the house from you, ok?

In the meantime, good luck with the renters! It's an adorable house.

[Antique Bedroom Furniture]

One of the most important items in a bedroom is furniture. Bedroom furniture usually consists of the cot where the bed is usually kept. Other important items include a lampshade that one might find useful for reading in bed Similarly the bed should consist two sets of bed and pillowcases. If necessary you may have a mattress. Many of the bedrooms also have a full sized mirror. Antique Bedroom Furniture http://antique-bedroom-furniture.blogspot.com