Twelve days

Eleven days to get an offer. Twelve days to accept.

I have mixed feelings about all of this. Well, that's putting it lightly, I think. I have feelings-that-have-been-squished-into-a-food-processor-and-pulsed-repeatedly. I've been praying for this very thing to happen - a quick offer, a quick acceptance, quick ending - and even though it went down pretty much the way I imagined it, I'm still sort of worried and unsure and sad. Usually when the kids play in the sandbox I'm sitting in one of our Cost Plus patio chairs reading a fresh-from-the-mailbox magazine. Today I paced up and down the sidewalk in front of our house, going over absolutely every detail. 

We are losing money on this deal - more money than we planned to lose, because we knew that was going to happen. That said, it's not a lot. It's a lot, but we can manage it. It's not a lot, but it's enough to dull the excitement. 

I put myself in our buyers' shoes and I would do the same thing. Actually, I would probably ask for more. They aren't asking for closing costs, which I thought was a given in this market. They offered less, but not unthinkably less. I know who they are - given what I've learned from the paperwork and the agent, they are pretty much exactly what I assumed when I saw them standing on the corner Saturday morning - and I want them to have this house. We wanted to make this work. 

We also think this offer is probably as good as it gets. It hasn't even been two weeks, but I told Phillip that if we rejected this offer and held out for breaking even, I sincerely doubted the next offer, if we got one, would be an improvement. At best it'd be similar, or a higher offer with a demand for closing costs, which would actually be worse. And how long would we hold out? It's not really an issue right now, but when I see a high number of days online in the Redfin listing I assume the buyers are getting anxious, that they'd accept a lowball offer. And what if we decided all the offers were too low, that we didn't want to lose this much money? We don't want to live in this house forever, and from everything I've read and everyone I've talked to, it doesn't sound like houses are going to magically rise in price over the next year. We'd most likely be in the same position.

If it sounds like I'm justifying our decision, I am. This whole time I've been the one who didn't want to hold out, who didn't think she could handle holding out, who didn't think that amount was such a horrible thing to lose. I felt irresponsible, because like every other gargantuan sum of money that I never actually see, it feels like Monopoly money. And it's not like we're paying it out - we're just not getting it back. I had to talk to so many people over the last several days to make sure I wasn't completely off base. And while most people thought that yes, it's a bummer to lose money when you sell your house, they also agreed with my perspective on the market. This might be as good as it gets. 

And once I break through all of that... I am so happy. I am so relieved. I am so... thankful. Today it occurred to me that we could get Jack a twin size bed, with little boy bedding. That we might have a playroom in April, a fenced yard. I can put girly things in Molly's room. That I don't have to worry about the neighbors hearing me yell at Jack to go up the stairs already, that I don't have to listen to my other neighbors' midweek late night outdoor parties, with their firepit smoke wafting into my bedroom. That this house is going to a couple who are buying it for the same reasons we did, who seem a little bit like us five years ago. That this whole process only lasted this long. In this market. That's... crazy.

And then... oh, I'm so sad. I love this house. It's my house. Molly slept in that closet. Jack fell down those stairs. The parties and fights and dancing and sleepovers and intense conversations. I love my kitchen. I love my windows. I can walk to the lake, to the Asian grocery store, to all kinds of parks. And today I finally met a neighborhood mom. I have my first and only instant-click with a neighborhood mom on the day I accept an offer on my house. I wanted to cry when she walked away, no need to exchange phone numbers and email addresses. And you guys, she's been living a block away from me for two years, and her kids are one year and two days apart. How come I did not meet her before today?  

I think there's still one more paper to sign. And then there's the inspection. And then more papers. But I'm pretty sure this is it. Craigslist better cough up some good rental houses in the next couple weeks. 

Comments

[Carrie]

CONGRATS!!! Sorry for the loss of money, but I'm so glad that you'll have more space soon. But please don't move too far away.

[C @ Kid Things]

The thing that stuck out to me is that you WANT these people to get your house. That, to me, would be a huge positive. Losing money, of course, is a negative, but just keep thinking of the positives. Congrats!

[Jess]

I think you were absolutely 100% right to accept this offer. You read so many stories of people who rejected good offers when their house was first on the market because they thought they could do better, and ended up not selling at all or selling for significantly below the first offer. You guys were reasonable and realistic and it paid off.

I know it'll be sad to leave the house... but you will make so many wonderful new memories in your new house! I'm so excited for you guys!

[lindsay]

Congrats Maggie! So glad for you all, and it sounds like you are at peace with the decision and that's wonderful. How crazy that you just knew last week when you saw the young couple that they were the ones. Perhaps Jack's charm with the whole Ye Ye thing helped out.

[Lori]

We've tried to sell our house twice in the last 2 years. Each time it was on the market for about 4 months, at an appropriate price, and not even one nibble came our way. This year we must sell it because we're moving overseas, and we are going to have to sell it for less than we paid for it. Hopefully, not a lot less, but we have to sell it sooner rather than later. You are blessed that it is selling so quickly!

[Sarah in Ottawa]

Yeah for the Cheungs! It is so easy to second guess yourself when making these sorts of huge decisions, but don't overlook the gratitude and relief that you feel. I am sure you've done this prayerfully, and those feelings are not insignificant.

I am so glad for you, though, that you were able to do it with only a bit of pain and angst. And I will pray that a great place appears on the horizon ASAP!

[HereWeGoAJen]

Hooray! Good for you, selling a house is hard work and STRESSFUL.

I've moved a lot. I know I am going to be sad when I have to leave the house that I brought my baby home to, but I get to take the baby with me and all my memories. The house isn't the home. (I'm mostly talking to myself here. Last night, I found out I am moving in a month.)

[LenaDeeAnne]

Congrats on such a smooth sale. (Get it? Smooth sale? :) Sorry, I'm loopy. Seriously, it does sound like this is a solid decision, one that you will not regret. I understand the mixed emotions WRT the memories you will be leaving behind. That's the hardest part of moving, but it's also the most exciting part- wondering about all the memories you'll make in the new house. We had to lose memories in our old house when it had to be gutted and rebuild after a fire, but we're still in the same location, and it's all new and fresh and a literal and figurative Do-Over, so it's good. We're looking forward to newer and better things.

And I wouldn't necessarily write off the other Mom you met- who says you won't find a rental near enough that it would still pay to cultivate a friendship?

Anyway. Congrats again and try not to stress. It will all work out.

[craftyashley]

Congratulations! I think it always helps when you know who's buying your beloved house. Try not to stress out! Now you can hold out for the perfect house. Rental homes are kind of easy to change in and out of. (minus the crazy moving with kids)

[Lisa]

I guess that means that the offer isn't good enough for you to make an offer on the old lady house? That's a bummer, but I've learned that there are a ton of house that would qualify as the right house if I really think about it, so maybe you'll find just the right one soon.

[Shelby]

Wow, that was fast! Congratulations! I hope you find a super fab house to rent!

[Sarah]

Congratulations Maggie! That is wonderful news!

[Redbecca]

Congrats, Maggie! I'm impressed, amazed and relieved for you that an offer came so quickly. It may seem bittersweet, but I think you have the right perspective. And the space! OMG you won't care how much money you lost in the sale once you have a place with space and quiet. (and yes i said space, not peace - you have toddlers, after all, and they come with a lot of stuff and noise!)

[Christiana]

I'm so excited for you! I wish we could do something similar, but we're settling for converting the garage before (I hope) the baby comes.

Good luck with the rental listings. Seems like so much possibility! Exciting!

[-R-]

Congrats on the offer!!!

[Kate P]

My parents sold the house I was born in (literally) right before I turned one. My mom does notice when the old house is up for sale, and I think we went to an open house once. (Same old ugly clock in the kitchen, she noted!)

Interestingly enough, my parents have stayed in the "new" house for over 30 years now.

I wish you the same, if it will make your family happy and thriving. :)

[Petroni]

Very excited for you! I know it must be hard to take a loss, but remember that you considered all of this before you made the decision to put the house on the market. I think it's terrific that you were able to sell so quickly.

Congratulations, and best of luck with the rental search!