The fat lady came into town this morning (Tuesday, September 1) and sang her sweet song. This has been the fourth closing in my life and the last damn one I ever want to deal with. The first 3 were non-events. This one was the closing from Hell.
We had an o.k. realtor and a decent attorney. Neither one of them the sharpest knife in the drawer.
The buyers were ungrateful, manipulative, greedy and incredibly unethical. But they were buyers and they did get the financing and we did finally close. I truly believe that what comes around, goes around and they will get theirs.
{We are the ones that had to drill a new water well because of FHA}
Now that is all behind us. We leave Illinois on Tuesday, September 8 (Sandy’s birthday). This will be the best present she ever received. Me, too, and it’s not my birthday.
I know that some of you are in similar or even worse situations. Keep the faith. Get the best realtor and real estate attorney you can find. We took our realtor’s advice in using his attorney and that was a huge mistake. And if at all possible do not interact with the buyer. Let your attorney and/or realtor do that for you. And, unless you live in one of those few places where property values have not declined, be ready to accept a whole lot less for your house than you would have received two or three years ago.
Finally, we had to make some financial sacrifices in order to make this dream a reality, and I know that in just a few weeks we will not give it a second thought and will be eagerly awaiting the next new place and the next new friends to meet.
We’ll meet some of you in Kerrville next month, at Quartzite in January beyond that at campgrounds in our new front yard – sometimes called the lower 48.
ourZbiz said
03:00 PM Sep 1, 2009
Congrats!!! I can hear her singing over here, LOL!
Selling the house is a great feeling. Although we're not ready to full-time, we've put ourself in a position to save more money monthly by getting rid of our ball & chain last year. We've cut our monthly rent, cut the energy bill in half, the yard & pool maintenance is gone and we've increased our freedom ten fold. Not to mention we've already done one major purge of "stuff".
What a great birthday present...enjoy! Don't forget birthdays are more fun when you share it with others. Enjoy her day too!!!
GENECOP said
03:27 PM Sep 1, 2009
Congratulations, thanks for the post and reminding everyone of the very real conditions that exist out there today, and the sacrifices that may need to be made in order to live your dreams. G
FD5 said
03:53 PM Sep 1, 2009
Congratulations George and Sandy, see you in Kerrville.
nwlambear said
05:40 PM Sep 1, 2009
Whoo Hoo!! Congratulations you two!!! Now...hit the road and have a great time!!! Countdown.....six....five...four.....etc. etc.
two travelers said
05:54 PM Sep 1, 2009
hip hip horray.....you are on your way....glad to hear it is all coming together for you...
We have a realitor coming in 5 days to give us a look over and see what the market is doing in our area... I don't think we will be FT until 2011 or 2012...but we want to sell the house and down size...so maybe we can part-time say 4-6 months a year with me working as a Traveling Therapist the other months...since I am a strange bird and like my job....and I want to be around to see my grandsons grow just a little longer...I figure in 2 more years the one will be 12 and grammie and pappie's house will not be where he wants to spend his weekends..
Happy Trails and hope you keep us updated on all of your new adventures...patti
petitetot said
08:45 PM Sep 1, 2009
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for both of you. Have a great time and thank you so much for sharing this fantastic news with us. I will keep hoping that one day I will be able to write that my turn has arrived.
phyllen said
04:57 AM Sep 2, 2009
George and Sandy - we will be right behind you. We take off 10/5. Last work day is 9/30.
Good advice on not dealing with buyer. However, that is somewhat difficult for us considering it is daughter and son-in-law. LOL!
We have actually been living in fiver since January when they took over the house.
Perhaps we will meet on the road someday. And the rest of you - your time will come. Keep the faith!
Phyllis
Jim01 said
06:04 AM Sep 2, 2009
Welcome to Full-Timing!!!!!
Once we hit the road, we never looked back. Now all those home repairs and maintenance projects are behind you! No more cold weather, (unless you choose it), and freedom to go where you want and when you want.
You are about to experience one of the most exciting times of your life, so take it slow and enjoy.
Oh, and you'll never forget Sandy's birthday again!
Jim
norsado2 said
06:46 AM Sep 2, 2009
best wishes realestate is a tough busines my poor agent has to deal with me !!!!
Speedhitch said
07:12 AM Sep 2, 2009
Hey I hope Sherri and I see you out there sometime. Congrats on the sale...don't look back
traveljunkie said
07:29 AM Sep 2, 2009
Congrats George and Sandy! Enjoy the freedom and don't look back - we'll try and catch up with you on the road one of these days.
Beth and Jay
RodnReal said
07:42 AM Sep 2, 2009
Congrats! Of course we're jealous, but our day to hit the road will be here before we know it.
Can't wait to meet you in Kerrville to see how you adjust to your first month.
-Connie
AnnDon said
08:34 AM Sep 2, 2009
Hi George & Sandy, Congradulations of the sale of your home. I've seen the Foretravel, very nice coach. Enjoy! Enjoy! Ann and Don
rwarner22 said
11:41 AM Sep 2, 2009
Congratulations! Looking forward to meeting you in Kerrville!
Travelin Duo said
11:48 PM Sep 2, 2009
Congratulations George & Sandy !!! Now that all that is behind you....enjoy the freedom. We began Fulltiming Dec 5, 2008 and have been enjoying every day of these past 9 months. Sending our very best wishes out to you. Safe and happy travels. Larry & Arlene
KarenInTheWoods said
09:08 AM Sep 7, 2009
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!
Hit that open road and don't look back.....
(green with envy...)
bjoyce said
11:55 AM Sep 7, 2009
Six days sounds like today, Labor Day. Your labors are over. (I couldn't resist the pun.)
It is great out here in full-timer land and we are glad you could join us.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 8th of September 2009 06:14:20 AM
WheelDweller said
10:18 PM Sep 7, 2009
Well, just like we don't get the same weather all the time...and some days are pretty crappy...it'll make your time on the road all the more sweet.
To say I'm happy for you would be minimizing it; I'm actually envious, too. Enjoy your time on the road: you've earned it, clearly.
Roz said
06:35 AM Sep 8, 2009
Congratulations Sandy and George!!!!
Also, Happy Birthday Sandy!!!!!
Pulling out this morning must truly be special for you both.
I wish for you much happiness, low blood pressure, wonderful scenery and lazy days! Teach Trixie and Norton well!
Be safe and enjoy!
Charles and Ethel
waldmeer said
10:13 AM Sep 16, 2009
We left our house & 6 acres Nov. 29, 2008 and have been full-time RV'ing since then. We had a couple of auctions and donated a LOT to Goodwill. When you really get down to it, we all collect so much "STUFF" that seems important at the time but not really necessary in the long run. Most of it is just "STUFF". If we really need some fo this stuff again we can have fun buying it again just as we did the first time.
We have had our recent 35' motorhome since 1998 so are familiar with being on the road. Since the motorhome had no slides, it was becoming a bit "cabin fever" time.
On Sept 3, 2009 we took posession of our new Mobile Suites with 3 slides and much more room. Wow this is nice.
Interesting thing happened shortly after we left our house. My wife has had Lupus for over 48 years and has had many illnesses and countless medications during those years. After moving into the house we left in Nov. she began having vascular problems resulting in a dozen femoral artery bypasses and clotting. On Dec. 13, 2007 she clotted again. After several surgeries to try to re-establish circulation we were faced with a decision on Christmas eve, 2007 to either loose her leg or loose her life. Easy decision. Goodby leg.
So we decided to go full-time RV'ing and see some more of this country while we still had some time left.
Here is what happened after leaving the house which we had been in since 1991 and was new when we bought it. After only a few weeks of being out of the house, my wife's medications had to be reduced dramatically. She felt better and medications were much reduced. After wondering why, we came to the decision, later confirmed by her doctors, that the house we were in was making us both sick. We believe it had mold and that because the builder took some shortcuts in construction and did not install vapor barriers on the bermed portion of the house that was our bedrrom, it also was pumping radon into the house.
It is nearly a year since we left the house. We both feel better and have reduced medications. We now have a 5th wheel with all the room we need and are enjoying life in the summers in MI and south in the winter.
In summary, we do have less "STUFF" but are happier and healtheir in our full-time lifestyle.
Happytrails said
02:04 PM Sep 16, 2009
Waldmeer,
Awesome news about your health and medications. I am so glad that you are feeling happier and healthier in your new lifestyle. Wonderful news!!!
William said
06:27 PM Sep 29, 2009
Doea anyone have regrets for fulltiming or any negatives? We are considering the fulltime lifestyle but aren't sure. There must be someone out there that has not found the fulltime experience a wonderful one. We would like to know the negatives and the positives in order to make an informed decision. It is a big decision.
Caseydee said
07:28 PM Sep 29, 2009
Waldmeer, congratulations on you & your wife's improved health conditions! Would you mind giving a comparison between the motorhome you had and the new 5th wheel. Why did you decide to go with a 5th instead of another motorhome? What are the pros & cons that you've experienced? Have you driven the 5th over any big mountains yet? We go back & forth between the 2 rvs. I like the homeyness of the 5th and my DH thinks driving a motorhome would be easier than pulling a 5h. We have a 5th wheel now and use it 4-5 months in the winter in the FL Keys and then store it there. We have our house for sale and if we ever find that special buyer, we fully intend to fulltime for as long as we can. I'll be happy when that fat lady comes to our home and sings her sweet song!
Racerguy said
10:55 PM Sep 29, 2009
William wrote:
Doea anyone have regrets for fulltiming or any negatives? We are considering the fulltime lifestyle but aren't sure. There must be someone out there that has not found the fulltime experience a wonderful one. We would like to know the negatives and the positives in order to make an informed decision. It is a big decision.
William,
Go to search and type in regrets.You will get several threads to read.
-- Edited by Racerguy on Tuesday 29th of September 2009 10:57:10 PM
vetrncwby said
01:52 PM Sep 30, 2009
Congratulatons George & Sandy!
I know you are well into your dream by now. I too have that dream and look forward to the day I will be out there full timing it.
janieD said
07:49 AM Oct 1, 2009
Congratulations George and Sandy! I'm so happy for you and can't wait until we can do the same (2 years left unless they offer my husband an early retirement package). Enjoy everyday!
dream reachers said
08:07 PM Oct 1, 2009
Congratulations George and Sandy. Hope to see you in your travels someday. Life is good, this life is great.
Allan and Jeanne
foxriverguy said
06:08 PM Oct 5, 2009
This is for William (Raverguy)
While I encourage you to seek out as many opinions and as much information as possible, your life will be whatever you want to make of it. You can find 100 people who will tell you they would never live in an apartment and you can find 100 people who will tell you that they would never live in a house. Condo. City. Country. On water. Near water. Away from water. Everyone has an opinion.
There are pluses and minuses to every aspect of life.
Ultimately, you need to decide for yourselves if living in an RV full-time is something you want to do and then make it what you want it to be.
Good luck. Come on out and join us.
jdkblue said
10:32 AM Oct 19, 2009
Congratulations! Thanks for the confirmation. We've owned one other house that we sold FSBO almost four years ago and didn't have nearly the wait as we do now. We became fulltime RVers in June of this year and it's crazy for us to think how our lives have changed since then but we are unfortunately still stuck with our empty house/acreage in NW Iowa we listed back in August 2008, that's the last of our material possessions that we need to get rid of. In June 2009 we took it off the market then in mid September 2009 we put it back on the market (with a realtor this time before it was listed with a bank the first time, bad choice) with a lot of improvements and still no movement. We are growing ever more weary about the situation every day.
The fat lady came into town this morning (Tuesday, September 1) and sang her sweet song. This has been the fourth closing in my life and the last damn one I ever want to deal with. The first 3 were non-events. This one was the closing from Hell.
We had an o.k. realtor and a decent attorney. Neither one of them the sharpest knife in the drawer.
The buyers were ungrateful, manipulative, greedy and incredibly unethical. But they were buyers and they did get the financing and we did finally close. I truly believe that what comes around, goes around and they will get theirs.
{We are the ones that had to drill a new water well because of FHA}
Now that is all behind us. We leave Illinois on Tuesday, September 8 (Sandy’s birthday). This will be the best present she ever received. Me, too, and it’s not my birthday.
I know that some of you are in similar or even worse situations. Keep the faith. Get the best realtor and real estate attorney you can find. We took our realtor’s advice in using his attorney and that was a huge mistake. And if at all possible do not interact with the buyer. Let your attorney and/or realtor do that for you. And, unless you live in one of those few places where property values have not declined, be ready to accept a whole lot less for your house than you would have received two or three years ago.
Finally, we had to make some financial sacrifices in order to make this dream a reality, and I know that in just a few weeks we will not give it a second thought and will be eagerly awaiting the next new place and the next new friends to meet.
We’ll meet some of you in Kerrville next month, at Quartzite in January beyond that at campgrounds in our new front yard – sometimes called the lower 48.
Once we hit the road, we never looked back. Now all those home repairs and maintenance projects are behind you! No more cold weather, (unless you choose it), and freedom to go where you want and when you want.
You are about to experience one of the most exciting times of your life, so take it slow and enjoy.
Oh, and you'll never forget Sandy's birthday again!
Jim
Beth and Jay
Now that all that is behind you....enjoy the freedom.
We began Fulltiming Dec 5, 2008 and have been enjoying every day of these past 9 months.
Sending our very best wishes out to you.
Safe and happy travels.
Larry & Arlene
It is great out here in full-timer land and we are glad you could join us.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Tuesday 8th of September 2009 06:14:20 AM
To say I'm happy for you would be minimizing it; I'm actually envious, too. Enjoy your time on the road: you've earned it, clearly.
Congratulations Sandy and George!!!!
Also, Happy Birthday Sandy!!!!!
Pulling out this morning must truly be special for you both.
I wish for you much happiness, low blood pressure, wonderful scenery and lazy days! Teach Trixie and Norton well!
Be safe and enjoy!
Charles and Ethel
We have had our recent 35' motorhome since 1998 so are familiar with being on the road. Since the motorhome had no slides, it was becoming a bit "cabin fever" time.
On Sept 3, 2009 we took posession of our new Mobile Suites with 3 slides and much more room. Wow this is nice.
Interesting thing happened shortly after we left our house. My wife has had Lupus for over 48 years and has had many illnesses and countless medications during those years. After moving into the house we left in Nov. she began having vascular problems resulting in a dozen femoral artery bypasses and clotting. On Dec. 13, 2007 she clotted again. After several surgeries to try to re-establish circulation we were faced with a decision on Christmas eve, 2007 to either loose her leg or loose her life. Easy decision. Goodby leg.
So we decided to go full-time RV'ing and see some more of this country while we still had some time left.
Here is what happened after leaving the house which we had been in since 1991 and was new when we bought it. After only a few weeks of being out of the house, my wife's medications had to be reduced dramatically. She felt better and medications were much reduced. After wondering why, we came to the decision, later confirmed by her doctors, that the house we were in was making us both sick. We believe it had mold and that because the builder took some shortcuts in construction and did not install vapor barriers on the bermed portion of the house that was our bedrrom, it also was pumping radon into the house.
It is nearly a year since we left the house. We both feel better and have reduced medications. We now have a 5th wheel with all the room we need and are enjoying life in the summers in MI and south in the winter.
In summary, we do have less "STUFF" but are happier and healtheir in our full-time lifestyle.
William,
Go to search and type in regrets.You will get several threads to read.
-- Edited by Racerguy on Tuesday 29th of September 2009 10:57:10 PM
While I encourage you to seek out as many opinions and as much information as possible,
your life will be whatever you want to make of it. You can find 100 people who will tell you they would never live in an apartment and you can find 100 people who will tell you that they would never live in a house. Condo. City. Country. On water. Near water. Away from water. Everyone has an opinion.
There are pluses and minuses to every aspect of life.
Ultimately, you need to decide for yourselves if living in an RV full-time is something you want to do and then make it what you want it to be.
Good luck. Come on out and join us.
Congratulations! Thanks for the confirmation. We've owned one other house that we sold FSBO almost four years ago and didn't have nearly the wait as we do now. We became fulltime RVers in June of this year and it's crazy for us to think how our lives have changed since then but we are unfortunately still stuck with our empty house/acreage in NW Iowa we listed back in August 2008, that's the last of our material possessions that we need to get rid of. In June 2009 we took it off the market then in mid September 2009 we put it back on the market (with a realtor this time before it was listed with a bank the first time, bad choice) with a lot of improvements and still no movement. We are growing ever more weary about the situation every day.