Exactly one week ago, after thirty-five years in our much-loved home, we put it on the market.
(We can hardly believe it ourselves. It is a BIG deal for us!)
Back in the fall, during Ron's illness and extended recovery, we began to realize that this home that we love is more suited for the young and the healthy. We have only one bathroom, and it is downstairs. All three bedrooms are upstairs. When mobility is an issue...well, it's a problem.
For months, we have talked about the pros and cons. Our property adjoins family property. But do we need to have this much property to take care of? We could add on a ground floor master suite. But would that cost more than a sale and a move? And do we want to do all that and still have too much property and the issues of an old house? Ron is healthy again, so is it really necessary? But don't we want to make these decisions when we have options and can take our time? Oh, but we've been here so long. Our blood (literally), sweat (absolutely), and tears (those too) are invested in this home. We have made it over, from top to bottom, inside and out. All of our family's memories are right here! We love our house!
In the end, we decided to sell.
In the end, we decided to sell.
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| Photo by our dear friend Frances |
After listing last Wednesday afternoon, we had eleven showings by Friday!
Seeing that there was significant interest (we had FOUR offers!), our realtor asked for "best and final" offers to be made by Saturday morning. Then we sat down together, chose one of the four (more than our listing price!), and signed the paperwork. It looks like we will be moving in April!
The best part is that we feel that the Lord is leading us. We have asked Him to close doors if this was not His plan for us, but He seems to be opening them wide!
The best part is that we feel that the Lord is leading us. We have asked Him to close doors if this was not His plan for us, but He seems to be opening them wide!
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| Another photo by Frances |
So now...
In the next seven weeks, we will be cleaning out and sorting and packing thirty-five years worth of stuff and earthly treasures. (Determining which things are "stuff" and which things are "treasures" is tough!)
We'd love to hear your moving tips...we are novices! Please leave advice in the comments.
Thinking About Home will continue to be quiet-ish, simply because we are so. very. busy. Much to do in a short time! I'll be popping in from time to time to give you peeks at the down and dirty. (Is anyone really interested in seeing the messy?) I'll also give you a few peeks at the new (to us) house!
It is all exciting and scary and bitter and sweet!
I'm excited and sad for you all at the same time! However, I know it's going to be a wonderful move for you all, and can't wait to visit you in your new home!
ReplyDeleteI want to see it all, the sorting, packing, craziness!
Love you!
Your home is lovely. I do understand your mixed feelings but as you said "God has opened the door wide". We made the decision to down size about 4 years ago and will probably do it again one day. I gave my daughter's the things that I had saved of theirs over the years. I sold some of my collectables on ebay, gave some things away, had a yard sale!
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting, but also sad. I pray that the right new home will come to you quickly.
ReplyDeleteMay all go smoothly. Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady
Tips:
ReplyDelete1. Don't move other people's stuff. Give them a deadline to pick it up, or haul it to the dump.
2. Investigate those trash bag (mini dumpsters) that you buy for $20 and then the company picks it up when you are done with it. You will have more trash than you believe possible.
3.Get small boxes for your books. Large boxes get too heavy.
4. Rent an appliance dolly from U-haul. About $10/day. Worth every penny and then some.
5.Take measurements of your new home and pre-plan where the major furniture items will go. You will probably realize that you need to get rid of some.
6.Read up on packing a moving truck. There is an art to it. If you can, I highly recommend moving everything in 1 go. You will need a huge truck, but it's so much easier to do it once, than haul yourself back and forth.
7.Pay for an extra day and pick up your truck the day before you intend to start loading it. Trucks are not guaranteed to be at the location that you reserved it. I reserved mine in Salisbury for a 7am pick up. I had to drive to Reliance (do you even know where that is?) and didn't get it back to the house until after 12pm! I lost half a day on that. If I had picked it up the night before, I would have been loading at 7am.
8. Label boxes with a number or color and label the rooms that they go to with a matching number or color, so that others can help you unload.
9. This is the time to call in favors. Get as many strong backs and casseroles as you can.
10. If you have time, go to the new house before moving to clean it top to bottom and then paint. It will never again be this easy to paint a room, do it while it's empty.
11. You will hurt more than you believe. Beer and ibuprofen, about 40 minutes before bed, are the dream team.
12. Try really hard to return the truck the day that you move, even if it's in the middle of the night (I returned mine at midnight, these places have drop boxes for the key). That way you can sleep in the next day as long as you like (plus you might not be able to drive the next day, see above about hurting).
13. Start packing now. Moving day is not packing day.
14. Plan out food for moving day. You are going to burn calories like nobody's business, so you want good food to eat on disposable plates.
15. Say goodbye to your house before moving day. On moving day you need to be organized and on the ball, not wallowing in emotion. Get that done beforehand.
16. This really should be number 1, but it might be the most important thing to stick in your head: get rid of crap. Alllll that crap that doesn't fit, doesn't work, you don't like, never wanted, and have 3 of. Do not pack up boxes of crap to move!
Good luck. And keep in mind, even if you do it all wrong, you'll still get it done.
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteI know some of the feelings you have. We live in the home that my husband's family moved to when he was 6 years old. Since we have been married, we have developed a large organic garden and have many fruit trees and bushes. So the thought of leaving it is very hard. And yet, we are entering our 60's and though we are, thankfully, in good health, that may not always be the case. And we only have one bathroom and that,too is downstairs from the bedrooms and that is already annoying us ;) So, I'll be interested to see how it all goes for you.
Blessings, Marie
Our last move was from one country to another, so had to be super organised. Tammy has some very good tips. If you are downsizing let things go, give to children, friends etc all the things that you may have loved for years, but now let them go.
ReplyDeletePut your very personal things like jewellery and china in shoe boxes and take them with you rather than letting the packers have them.
Have one box with a kettle and tea/coffee ready for you to take to the new house. You will need a refreshing drink when you arrive. So will your helpers!
Your house is very lovely and I'm not surprised that it sold so quickly.
Oh Cheryl, how exciting and scary for you. I can be of no help with moving...we have lived in our home for 43 years. Probably that long because I hate moving. Ha Ha I think you are wise to downsize when no issues are pending. I think Tammy sounds like she has expert ideas. I wish you peace and calm as you enter a new chapter. ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised your house sold quickly, it's so lovely. I think you are moving nearby. so here's my advice to add to the above--IF you get the new house early and can do that cleaning and painting … every time you go to the new house take something with you, or even a car full or at least a box or two. Unpack it if you can, such as linen closets and less used dishes (I pack my dishes for short moves between dish towels so I don't need to wash them before putting them in cupboards.) This way you can reuse the boxes and not need to obtain so many. I hope it goes well! And wishing you all the best in this huge transition!
ReplyDeleteWe're in limbo ourselves. We have a room to convert to a bedroom on main floor, but not sure it's the best or wisest option. I'll look forward to hearing how your move goes & any advice you have (and have read with great interest the ones in these comments)!
ReplyDeletewow wow WOW! Soo exciting and yet kind of scary..happy and yet kind of sad..It certainly sold fast which is really not surprising as it is SOO lovely. That picture could easily be framed and hang somewhere in the new house as a wonderful memory. 35 years is a LONG time. A lifetime really. We lived in ours for 25 years and I know all the feelings involved. My kids grew up there...many birthdays, and Christmas's and memories there. Such history. When we moved to the smaller home I just couldn't wait to build up NEW memories and history and it has happened. I am very excited to see the house you are moving to. My advice would be don't be afraid to eliminate and weed out and get rid of things. Now is the time. And every trip to the new house be it for paint, or measuring, or just to look and plan BRING something and put it away. On our move day I had already put away ALL the closet things, set up the bathrooms, and the entire kitchen. It made things soo much easier on the big move day. How exciting this time will be for you. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's no wonder so many people were all wanting it the same time...it is so very lovely! I think this is actually the first time remember seeing the outside of it! Where are you moving to? Did I miss something? I have moved a few times...2 with movers, 2 without...I'd be lying if I said I'd rather do it myself...BUT...the company moved us those times and it is expensive if you have to pay for it! I am glad you have such peace about it all...it must be the right thing to do! I know you and the whole will surely miss this wonderful place! Looking forward to the progress!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's big news for sure. I'm glad you came to peace about the situation although you will have your bittersweet moments. 35 years is a long time. Right now 17 years is the longest we've been in one house and we're in it right now. Moving is hard work but I'm sure you'll do a good job at it. I really like Tammy's suggestions! Also, your family enjoys being together so the new place will start having it's own memories soon enough. Congratulations on selling it so fast. I love the outside of the house! Are you moving next door or to another property?
ReplyDeleteOh dear Cheryl, I can only imagine what this must be like for you! I almost started tearing up at the thought of you leaving this beautiful home. But yes like you and I both believe our homes here are only temporal dwellings, and you will be blessed for seeing God's divine Hand in all the changes you'll face. I am not an experienced mover so I can't offer advise but I'll certainly be thinking of you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's exciting! Blessings on you as your tackle the great move!
ReplyDeleteVery surprised at your big news! I'm going to miss the old home--you have decorated it so beautifully and I love your style. Looking forward to what you will do with the new home. Blessings Sharon D.
ReplyDeleteExciting and scary news. I've moved 21 times during our marriage and I can pack a box faster than anyone. Almost all of the times we did the packing and unpacking ourselves. Label boxes thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I unpack, I like to unpack box after box and set things out on tables or counters then put away a whole bunch at once. This is faster than putting things away as you unpack because you have more of an idea of where things will go and what fits where. When I've done it the other way, I find myself moving things around later an awful lot.
Purge, purge, purge! On the day you move, buy some pretty flowers or a plant to put into the new house - on the mantel or table - so you have something lovely to look at during those moments of rest that you will need.
Oh Cheryl - this IS a big project indeed! I can hardly even think about what it will be like for us after being on this farm for almost 37 years - yikes!!! I will be thinking of you and taking notes of any tips and advice you might have over the next few months and years about how to "downsize". It's on the horizon for us too. Good for you to make this huge decision and know that the Lord is guiding your path!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! And more than a bit sad, too, to leave a beautiful home you love so much and filled with so many memories. We've lived in this house nearly 30 years and while it's never been my dream home, it's home and comfortable. I would be sad to leave it, but I also wouldn't mind living in a different house for a change. I don't have a lot of advice for moving, I do remember it took me many, many days to pack up at our previous house. I'm not a hoarder, but I do tend to keep too much stuff. If I were moving now I would only take the necessities and those things I absolutely love and throw away or give away the rest. I will be watching to see your progress on this new adventure! Wishing you all the best in your move!
ReplyDeleteMore sweet than bitter, I am praying. Does this mean that you already know where you are going? Wow! The Lord really has been working fast. So many wait sooooo long to sell a house. Glad that you didn't have to. Personally, I think we should all move every few years just to keep the treasures and get rid of the rest. I am not one who should be offering packing advice. There are still things that I have never found since moving and a few things that I have not yet unpacked. When I unpacked after our move back from Arizona, I found a kitty dish with the food still in it. Oh good heavens!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is big news. As a somewhat veteran mover, get rid of stuff! Donate donate donate, have a tag sale, let it go! And good luck. Where will you be moving?
ReplyDeleteSending warm thoughts as you begin this new, huge change. Every day I pray you will know new strength, new grace, new comfort, new hope as you sort and pack and tenderly wrap up memories along with china and towels and silverwear.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Brenda
xox
PS. What a lovely home ... I don't know if I ever saw the outside.
Oh my goodness, Cheryl, how did i miss this post? What a life change you are making. It is a beautiful home, but yet i know that home is where your family and books are. It is wise to discuss and make decisions with the future in mind. God will continue to bless you wherever you settle in next. Praying for you and your family. This is very exciting!
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be bittersweet, such memories, but you have all of these wonderful photos from your Blog to enjoy for later times. Love Tammy's suggestions...yes, label each box with a color dot and have a Master list posted inside the front door or at least you be available to tell everyone that helps you where each box goes. We'll be waiting to see photos of your new house!!
ReplyDeleteWow, how exciting for yoj. This is something we are thinking about as well for many of the same reasons. I wish I had some tips for you but I'll be curious to read the things you learn about during this journey. We will in the meantime continue to declutter and get rid of stuff in anticipation for when we eventually downsize
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping in, Cheryl. I know you're so busy. I'll be looking forward to hearing about the next step. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteoh my i AM out of the loop!
ReplyDeleteand while i'm late to this party please know i'm lifting you
up in prayer through the final transition to your new home..
then continuing for the transition to **making** it your home.
blessings deep and wide!