Today I want to actually blog a bit.
I just heard about a cool book about babies in utero.. Thought I would share it with you all. I have not yet seen it!
I got my hair cut this week. It is nice to have it thinned and a little shorter-- but I think I have to relearn how to 'do' it each day! I'll include a pic.
Other than that-- the big news is that we are trying to buy a house! A big one!
James and I have dreamed of having a country home for our kids. A place for them to have outdoor pets (Emphasis on OUTDOOR!), to dig holes, run around, climb trees and just BE BOYS! Now is a good time to buy-- especially with baby #7 on the way. Our home is getting a little crowded! Also-- we are homeschooling everyone next year, which means all 6 boys will need a place to run and play (other than in my kitchen/living room) in the cold of winter.
So, the adventure begins! Last night we went to look at 4 houses. I learned a few things to do/ not to do when showing your house.
1)Don't be there. It's just weird. Let people do their looking while you go out for coffee. Really.
2) Don't leave entire loads of laundry sitting on your kitchen table. We don't want to see your underwear. We don't even want to see your socks. Stick them in a basket and hide them!
3) Don't let your puppies loose to chase my kids. Not all kids are fond of dogs. Some kids even CRY when being attacked by pit-bull puppies. Go figure.
4) Put the cats and dogs outside. Animals And animal dishes just inside the door are not pretty! Give yourself a CHANCE of selling the house by at least PRETENDING you don't have animals peeing everywhere!
5) Don't leave party-ing young adult children in charge of showing your house. They may not be sober enough to remember that they are supposed to show the house. And, they may have the house REAKING of smoke. And, they may think it is fun to release two pitbulls on your young children.. one which MIGHT PEE on the floor right in front of your kids. And your young adult child might not even be smart enough to clean it up. She might just laugh about it and let your REALTOR step in it. (OK, I don't think he did.. but, hey, he could have!)
6) Basically, try reading the books. Libraries are wonderful! They have lots of books to TEACH you how to declutter/clean and show your home! USE THE BOOKS for crying out loud!
Yes, yes. I am available for 'getting your house ready to sell' consultations. Please don't knock down my door. Be patient. I will release all of the secrets one by one. LOL!
Like I said, it is an adventure, and we are having fun!!!
5 comments:
I wholeheartedly agree with your list. I wish my husband had. WE eventually sold our Michigan house. We listed it while I was still living in it. When a showing came, I grabbed the dogs and left... Then I moved to Colorado and left my husband behind... Not only did he not remove the dogs for visitors, but he never cleaned. Next thing I know, showing after showing are getting cancelled. I called my realtor... her response? "The other realtors have called and said your house is too messy, they don't want to show it" Hubby thought dirty socks and dogs were OK. NO, they are not.
My personal rules - you can't even make it look like you LIVE there. No dishes, no clothes, don't even stash things in closets. Potential buyers LOOK in closets, of course! Don't just lock the dogs in the yard - take them with you! Take them for a long walk, to the dog park, anywhere. Buyers want to check out the yard, too... and clean up their messes so people can walk around.
I'm not fooling and I now have 7 dogs. You make your house a showpiece and LEAVE for showings. It's called "staging" in the realty market, and every little thing helps move your house!
Though I would never do it, the lady who owned my current house before me was there when we viewed it. She wanted to show us around. it was awkward at first, but she wanted to sell to someone who would appreciate her barn, her pasture, her lilac bushes...and she found us. Though she has since moved to Ohio, I adopted her as my new mom, and still talk to her regularly, and still call her mom!
(also, as a tip to sellers, it helps to either a) bake fresh cookies b) have a yummy scented oil going, something safe like Scentsy or c) put some cinnamon in a pan in the oven and turn it on low. Those smells really help your house seem more inviting. One LAST tip (I promise) listen to your agent! If they tell you to fix little and medium things - FIX THEM! The market is deluged with low priced housing, you need to compete for the buyers out there who can get credit right now, put your best foot forward, and THEN take one more step forward, and you're there.
Selling a house can be frustrating. You have to be ready at a moments notice to get it picked up and get out before someone comes to look at it, and with kids that makes it all the more challeneging!! Where are you looking for a new home?? How exciting to be able to look for a bigger home and having the provisions for that! Yes this is definitly a buyers market too. Good Luck and I hope you find just what you are all looking for in a house. Keep us posted. I will be praying for you!!
Love ya,
Margaret
LOL. Well, it is true, getting the house ready to show is NO FUN. But, I still can't make excuses for people who let their dogs jump all over my kids and don't even try to stop them!
We are going to look at another sweet looking house this week. We'll keep everyone posted!
Please pray we find renters!
Oh, and 'Cassidy'.. thanks for the LONG comment! You are so right!! I guess you must have experienced a little newly married marital stress over that! LOL! I wanna come spend the summer at your farm!! You have SO much to teach me! (Before I become a country girl!)
:) Katie
I hope you find GOOD renters! Sometimes it is easier to sell than to deal with renters. I will be praying!!!
Love ya,
Margaret
Ha! We had a similar #5 incident once (no pitt bulls, but a girlfriend's bra in the hallway.) House hunting is exciting. God bless your adventure!
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