Mail your postcards for the Ides of March:
Donald Trump
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
We had two more potential buyers come through. One was, surprisingly, the woman who tried to argue with me that our 'starting point' was too high. I knew that it wasn't. She wanted to come by with her contractor. She seemed interested, and her contractor did not give much away, although they both got excited about the pocket doors. For the first time, she noted the hardwood floors. She was very tickled by them. So. Who knows.
The young woman came, the one that was so interested in the house. She's a single mom of a six year old. She's living with her grandmother right now. She's a smart girl. Her company recognized that, and paid for her to get her metallurgist certificate. She loves her job.
She also loves the house. She wanted the house badly. She has been looking but houses are going for quite amazingly high prices at the moment. Pricewise, she knows that she needs a fixer upper, and she's been looking but she's been getting pretty discouraged. There are a lot of fixer uppers on the market that almost seem to be tearer downers. I've seen the ads, myself. "TLC needed," they say.
I looked at her and I saw me 27 years ago.
I was cooking supper when Tim wandered out into the kitchen. He said, "I can't stop thinking about her. I hope she gets the house."
"I know it," I said.
Later that night, I messaged her and said, "You know if your dad or whoever wants to see the place, you should bring him by. He's in the business, so an extra set of eyes wouldn't hurt. It would probably make him feel better."
"That's actually a great idea," she said. "I have to change a wheel bearing in my car, but that shouldn't take too long."
Tim laughed when I told him. He does love a strong woman and 28 years ago, he took a chance on one. A single woman with three kids in a very rough place. He aggravates me mightily at times, and vice versa, I suppose, but we've been pretty lucky.
I said, "You know, we know we're downsizing. William doesn't want his loft bedroom set upstairs. We could offer that to her boy, if they don't have furniture." It's a very nice set with a desk and a dresser and book shelf.
Tim nodded in a considering way.
"We have the bedroom set in the room next to his that we're not taking." We also have the sofa and loveseat in the library, too. I began to take pretty serious inventory. We already know that the kids are not at all interested in anything that we have so we've got a lot to get rid of.
I wonder what will happen next.
This was my giggle for the day: https://www.upworthy.com/funny-obituary-sick-man-ex1
Oh my gosh! That obituary of Joe was amazing! What a fun, slightly "crazy" guy he was and very well loved.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you've got someone you might be able to pass things down to.
I'm trying, but Art just hates to part with things. Sigh...
Well, technically, furniture is 'my things'. Tim has no problem parting with 'my things'. We've had some pretty hard discussions on the fact that he himself will need to do some downsizing as well.
DeleteWe lost both our remaining parents a couple of years ago and had two fixer-uppers to sell at the same time. We are not DIYers and it was sad to see them both go to developers, but we didn't get any serious offers from private buyers. At Christmas time a neighbour of my late mother contacted me and said that there is now a nice family living in the house and that the mother says that she knows me. Sounds weird, but I can't tell you how much comfort that gave me.
ReplyDeleteIt does not sound weird at all, Tracy. We kind of have the same thing with our tenants. They do love their homes and that brings us a lot of joy.
DeleteHow wonderful if once again you would be able to « pay it forward ». I know that would be your preference. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteWe would both love very much to have the opportunity to pay it forward. Tim is quite excited about it.
DeleteSounds very interesting, and to be able to help with furniture, it's what we would be doing as well, fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteWe have the stuff. Nobody is interested in it.
DeleteI'm a firm believer in thinking if someone you know, or even don't, is passionate about something, especially referring to the 27 year old women, you will do what you have to do to ensure they get it. If she can get close to the price...
ReplyDeleteWe've bought 7 properties and sold 6, and I don't think we've ever known as much about buyers as you know about your possible buyers. A different culture, I suppose.
Did you sell them through a realtor or put them on the market yourself? We've always sold through a realtor before, and we have never met a potential buyer. That's all handled by them. I just got the idea to slap it on facebook and see what happened. We're showing the house and meeting the people. It is a different experience, that's for sure.
DeleteHappy Ides. Things seem to be simmering. I hope it is done soon with a good result.
ReplyDeleteI sent my postcards out today, 3 of them.
DeleteWow, what an obituary! Joe was definitely marching to the beat of his own drum, and left a ton of colorful memories behind.
ReplyDeleteI think both you and Tim are good judges of character, and will be able to help this young woman with the house, and with your furniture. I feel like it's meant to be. I chuckled with admiration when I read "she needs to change a wheel bearing first" before she could bring her dad to the house. I think that home would be in great hands with her.
Since Tim spent a week trying to replace the wheel bearings on the Suburu, he was pretty impressed too. I didn't notice what kind of car she was driving but hopefully it wasn't a Suburu. Tim ended up taking it to my nephew's shop. After struggling with it for some time, they put their heads together and invented a tool.
DeleteA lot of interest in your house. I do hope the young woman gets it. And good for you thinking of furniture she can have.
ReplyDeleteWell, it would solve a big problem for us, that's for sure and certain. I was dreading the downsizing.
DeleteHow much of a say do you have on who gets the house? I mean if there is a higher bid than this nice woman, are you obligated to sell to the highest bidder? I'm rooting hard for her! Kris in Ohio
ReplyDeleteNo. We can sell it to who we want. We get to pick. I can tell you that I'm pretty sure that we are both on the same page as far as that goes.
DeleteI'm hoping for the young mom. Hopefully she can swing it. You're good people Debby.
ReplyDeleteIt would be such a wonderful thing. We both feel quite strongly that she's 'the one' for the house. We have to temper that with practicality, of course.
DeleteI had a couple of landlords give me lovely breaks or offers as a younger single mom. The world runs a little smoother with kindness from folks like you. Going with your gut and heart might lead to a lovely chance at life for your potential buyer. Blessings for your thoughts to help her out. You could even be retained as "sage advisors" for any of her future projects there, kind of like with "visitation rights?" Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI think that it would make a nice friendship, that's for sure. I know that Tim would always be available to offer her advice, but her family's business will be helpful. She's also worked for a company that did historical renovations, so she would not be stepping into this with no experience.
DeleteI hope the young mum gets the house
ReplyDeleteWe're pulling for her. We have some ideas percolating, ourselves. Between all of us, I am pretty sure we're going to be able to help her out.
DeleteThe house seems just right for the single mum. I hope it becomes her home.
ReplyDeleteOh, we do too. As Rita said, down below, 'it would be the perfect final sale.'
DeleteSelling property can bring many surprises. Some interesting people show up.
ReplyDeleteYes they do.
DeleteHope the sale goes smoothly and quickly.
ReplyDeleteFrom your lips to God's ears, sistah!
DeleteI hope she gets it, too. You don't always have to accept the highest bid.
ReplyDeleteOh Tasker, we wouldn't. If she can meet the asking price, she would get it, regardless. Dollars would never trump kindness.
DeleteWouldn't it be a riot to have lived across the street from Joe? What a character and what love shone through the obituary! Those memories will be passed down for generations.
ReplyDeleteBoy, the "talk" and the decision to sell this house has become a real positive. Who ever gets the house (and I think I am rooting for one or two) you know it will be someone who will appreciate your hard work and keep it the "home" you intended it to be. Somethings are just meant to happen.
Who knew a simple listing on Facebook to see what could happen - really is happening!
He would be a fun neighbor for sure. We're kind of astonished how quickly this went from a talk to...well...this. We're meeting another guy over there tomorrow.
DeleteThanks for the giggle!😂Sounds like we’d all have enjoyed knowing that guy! Best wishes selling your re. selling the house- I hope the young woman is the lucky one! The way you think about the extra furniture is exactly how I would think. It’s heartwarming reading about your care ❤️ xo, Rigmor
ReplyDeleteRigmor! So glad to hear from you! We hope that she is too.
DeleteFingers crossed for the young Mom.
ReplyDeleteOurs too. She really is a pretty self reliant young woman. Smart, and a worker.
DeleteOh, I do so hope that lady gets the house and would be able to take the furniture you don't want to take with you!! My heart just pushed right up in my throat reading about her. Talk about paying it forward. It would be the perfect last sale!!! Fingers crossed this can happen. :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, Rita. I loved that. 'The perfect last sale'. Yes. It sure would be.
DeleteIt would be great to pass the house along to someone who really needs it. I guess you could always give her the furniture even if she doesn't get the house.
ReplyDeleteWe would, if she needs it. Having a place to store it might be an issue, but we've been giving this a lot of thought.
DeleteClosure for you, an opening for her and the beginning of a new relationship. A beautiful transition is already in the works.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if that happened. She messaged me today about speaking to the loan manager. I told her that I just had a good feeling. She said that she was a person who had always had to think outside the box. I said, "Well...when someone who thinks outside the box meets up with two people who think outside the box, really, there is no box."
DeleteYes, maybe the young woman's parents can help with buying the house. After our recent foray into the terrible world of buying new furniture, I realize how much your hand me downs would be a giant and much appreciated help.
ReplyDeleteWell, we shall see. I don't know if she even needs furniture, but it would be a wonderful thing to find someone who could use the things. I'm not sure about her family situation. She said that her father values independence very much.
DeleteI have been thinking about this young woman. Such is the power of blogging, I guess. I would be "put off" by someone that starts out by telling a seller their price is too high as you mentioned with the person with the contractor. We have bought and sold eleven homes in our almost 50 years of marriage. Last month our neighbor asked if we would let them know if/when we decide to sell this one. As your blog title says "Life's Funny Like That". I am sending good vibes from Georgia to you both as well as that young single Mother.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely was put off by it. We will not debate it. She thought we were desperate and hoped to exploit it. We showed her the house after no small kerfuffle. She refused to set a time. We weren't going to wait around on her. She was trying to be seen as the one who made rules. She was the powerplayer and she wanted to make sure we understood that. We haven't heard from her, and I am not inclined to inquire. I think she is waiting for that to happen.
DeleteObituaries can absolutely be one last place where the true and crazy nature of our beloveds can be expressed. So many people don't recognize this opportunity for love and laughter.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that you and Tim will find just the right buyer for your house.
I think so too.
Delete