We were beginning to wonder if it would ever happen but after 6 months on the market we signed the sales contract on our property today and close April 12th. Still have inspection to go through but not very concerned about that.Also already know appraisal will be o.k so we are set to go.So glad we already started packing and getting rid of "stuff" last year. We have Dr.appts and some loose ends to tie up and should be on the road by the 1st week in May. Zing what a feeling !!
bubbadan said
07:39 PM Mar 8, 2010
Way to go!
Lots of work left but will be fun.
Hdrider said
08:22 PM Mar 8, 2010
Well good on ya !!! Thats great!! Congrats
Gypsy Turtle 2 said
08:41 PM Mar 8, 2010
Awesome news! Congratulations!
traveljunkie said
08:53 PM Mar 8, 2010
Congratulations!!!! You are on your way to an awesome adventure!
KD said
10:45 PM Mar 8, 2010
wonderul news -- we'll see you on the road!
Mike and Terri said
11:09 PM Mar 8, 2010
Congratulations! Enjoy the moment!!
DagoRanch said
11:50 PM Mar 8, 2010
That's great news George!
dream reachers said
12:24 AM Mar 9, 2010
Wow Geoge and Linda that is geat news! That was the bigee, eveything else should fall into place nicely. Wishing you the best.
two travelers said
05:54 AM Mar 9, 2010
Great news...patti
Hamshog said
07:14 AM Mar 9, 2010
Hey George,
Congrats on selling the house!!!
Let the good times roll!!!!!
Regards, Howard
eagleshea said
07:51 AM Mar 9, 2010
Wow, that's great ..... let your adventure begin.
Cindy T said
07:53 AM Mar 9, 2010
Congratulations from a fellow Coloradoan!! Hope it all goes smoothly, and you're outta there soon!
Cindy T
janieD said
08:25 AM Mar 9, 2010
So glad for you! Isn't it a great feeling to have that done. :)
FD5 said
09:02 AM Mar 9, 2010
Congratulations George and Linda, our just sold after 6 months as well. We close March 31 and will be on the road May 1st.
Rob_Fla said
09:04 AM Mar 9, 2010
Great News, Congrats
JLitton65 said
10:30 AM Mar 9, 2010
So glad to hear that houses are selling. Maybe we will try next year.
mktobob said
10:43 AM Mar 9, 2010
WOW....That is great news...Congrats!
contra said
02:10 PM Mar 9, 2010
Congratulations!! It's great to see that things are falling into place for so many of us! We'll look for you on the road. :)
azrving said
02:23 PM Mar 9, 2010
I'm soooooooooo jealous! Can't wait for the economy to turn around so I can sell my house.
Time for Racerguy to hit the road.
Onawave said
04:48 PM Mar 9, 2010
CONGRATS!!!
2riker2go said
05:35 PM Mar 9, 2010
Congratulations!! So glad things are coming together for you!!
rwarner22 said
07:35 PM Mar 9, 2010
Congrats! Where is the next trip?
Racerguy said
09:08 PM Mar 9, 2010
rwarner22 wrote:
Congrats! Where is the next trip?
Some place where it is warm,this winter has been way to long and cold for these old bones.Probably head for Phoenix area and then figure out from there. Thanks to all for the congrats. We are really excited.
SoonToTravel said
10:43 PM Mar 9, 2010
That's great news. We're happy for you. Hope to see you on the road.
DagoRanch said
11:54 PM Mar 9, 2010
Racerguy wrote:
Probably head for Phoenix area and then figure out from there. Thanks to all for the congrats. We are really excited.
Well hopefully by the time you get here, it'll warm up.... 48 Degrees at Noon today in a driving wind and pouring rain. It didn't help that I was dressed in shorts and a polo shirt!
Roz said
09:07 AM Mar 10, 2010
George,
I noticed just days ago, March 9th to be exact, you stated in a string that you were "not a fulltimer and would likely be a snow bird."
Good tactic, as once we say something, the opposite will happen to prove us wrong. Good tactic to get your house sold!!!
Charles
-- Edited by Roz on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 09:08:31 AM
Racerguy said
09:21 AM Mar 10, 2010
Charles, you figured out the method to my madness Tony,we're counting on May being a little better, of course now we can just keep heading south until we find warm.
2fortheroad said
02:03 PM Mar 10, 2010
WOW!!!! Fantastic, Way to go.
Wouldn't be interested in a house in Idaho would YA?
Just kidding lol. Happy Travels!!!!
Ron & Sharon
phyllen said
03:03 PM Mar 10, 2010
Me (being from NJ) says " See youse down the road." Len (Being from Louisiana) says "See ya'll down the road" However it's said - congrats!
K & E said
06:46 PM Mar 10, 2010
Congratulations. I'm so happy for you. We also thought our house was sold, but the deal fell through. I'm sure that won't happen to you. Our house has now been on the market for a little over 4 months. Sounds like 6 months is the magic number for everyone, so our house will surely sell in the next few weeks! Keep your fingers crossed for us. Good luck on your hunt for warm weather. If I have to spend one more winter in Wisconsin, I'll scream
HapyKamper said
03:49 PM Mar 11, 2010
Congratulations George and Linda,
We are so happy for you!
We close on our house next Tuesday. Let's just say downsizing to 350 square feet is not for sissies! Whew! We are confident, however, that it will be worth all the effort.
BTW...Craigslist was great for selling last minute items we decided not to take.
John and Carol
Jomilt said
04:53 PM Mar 11, 2010
Congratulations to you couples who sold your houses. I am so delighted for you!! How wonderful to read of your RV-Dreams coming true!
May you both get extras sold off in a hurry and we'll be looking forward to future postings, with photos of your driving off into the sunset of full-timing life in May!!
Way to go!
Racerguy said
08:40 PM Mar 11, 2010
Looks like we may have jumped the gun I may have some lessons/tips to give to those who are thinking of selling.
DagoRanch said
02:29 PM Mar 12, 2010
Ahhhhhhhh Crap!
Racerguy said
08:12 AM Mar 13, 2010
Just thought I would give a tip or two about real estate dealings I found out.First, a potential buyer that is PRE-QAULIFIED is just that, not QUALIFIED. Number two I've been advised the sale is not complete until you are at the closing table and have signed the final papers. We haven't sold property since the 1980's and found out things are much more complicated in today's world .I guess you could say we were stuck in the 80's mentality where the buyer actually did their home work and were sure they could complete the deal before they signed a contract.I will go back to what Howard says about most things, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS and get answers. That was our mistake. Last, interview and once again ask questions before hiring an agent to sell your home.We didn't do that with our FORMER ( as of yesterday) agent which is a long story not needed here. Maybe I'm not telling anybody things they don't already know but if you are not used to doing business in today's climate, especially in a buyers market like it is now don't assume anything. We are back at square one but feel we have been educated and will fare better in the future.No more counting chickens before they are hatched
Happytrails said
09:05 AM Mar 13, 2010
So sorry to hear about the setback. Hang in there....it will happen. We waited to sell our house for over three years. You are so right.... the market is tough these days and you need a sharp realtor. Nothing is in the bag until the fat lady sings at the table.
You guys hang in there!! The time will come.
azrving said
10:18 AM Mar 13, 2010
Racerguy wrote:
Just thought I would give a tip or two about real estate dealings I found out.First, a potential buyer that is PRE-QAULIFIED is just that, not QUALIFIED. Number two I've been advised the sale is not complete until you are at the closing table and have signed the final papers. We haven't sold property since the 1980's and found out things are much more complicated in today's world .I guess you could say we were stuck in the 80's mentality where the buyer actually did their home work and were sure they could complete the deal before they signed a contract.I will go back to what Howard says about most things, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS and get answers. That was our mistake. Last, interview and once again ask questions before hiring an agent to sell your home.We didn't do that with our FORMER ( as of yesterday) agent which is a long story not needed here. Maybe I'm not telling anybody things they don't already know but if you are not used to doing business in today's climate, especially in a buyers market like it is now don't assume anything. We are back at square one but feel we have been educated and will fare better in the future.No more counting chickens before they are hatched
Been there done that! We have gone through our share of ups & downs (more downs) with Real Estate Agents. They will tell you what you want to hear when they want your listing and then they will bring you a contract (an offer considerably less than what they listed your house at) and tell you to accept it. Our house was taken off of the market 3 times by individuals that had no credit or bad credit and we had to start the process all over again. Seems like the agent (your agent) should do their homework before bringing worthless paper to your door. JMHO I have bought three homes and sold two, have yet to deal with a realtor that I would consider ethical. One of the least trusted professions (because of a few bad apples) IMO. Try FSBO and good luck.
-- Edited by azrving on Saturday 13th of March 2010 10:18:31 AM
rjenkins said
11:58 AM Mar 13, 2010
I had posted a warning that it is not over till you get the check when a sale is final in a previous topic of selling the house. Everyone I know down here in South Florida that are selling or have sold their house, went through multiple 'sales' only to have the buyer not make the final 'round' of the bank approval. I guess 'qualified' is a very brief analysis of ones credit versus 'approved for a loan' where they really do their homework.
One co-worker I know is currently on their fifth contrac and hoping this one finally does get approved.
Racerguy said
12:32 PM Mar 13, 2010
azrving wrote:
Seems like the agent (your agent) should do their homework before bringing worthless paper to your door. JMHO
Got ya there that's why she is no longer " representing" us.
-- Edited by azrving on Saturday 13th of March 2010 10:18:31 AM
-- Edited by Racerguy on Saturday 13th of March 2010 12:36:57 PM
K & E said
12:55 PM Mar 13, 2010
Racerguy:
I'm so sorry to hear your deal fell through. We also have had 2 deals fall through due to financing or greedy buyers. I agree with what other have said about unprofessional real estate agents. But they aren't the only ones. We lost one of our deals because of an unprofessional home inspector who basically said everything needed to be inspected by licensed contractors to save his own behind from a potential lawsuit. What a scam home inspection has become. We also haven't sold a home since the 1980s and can't believe how difficult it has become.
I caution trying the for sale by owner route in this economy. We tried that for 6 months last summer and only had 6 showings in that time. It has become a standard in the real estate industry that agents won't show a flat fee real estate listing unless buyers specifically ask to see it. They stick together and only show full listing properties. Since listing with a full service agency, we have had 27 showings in 4 months. That says it all!
Hang in there. Patience is the hardest thing. We actually had someone approach us with an offer to lease to own. We don't want to go that route, but may consider it if nothing happens in the next few months.
Good luck to you with your new agent!
Rancher7 said
01:23 PM Mar 13, 2010
My opinion - don't be scared of FSBO. With the internet you have a huge sales market and making a website just for your home isn't out of the question. It only takes one person, the right person, to see your ad and buy your house.
The webpage I made for my place is on-line now, although I haven't started formally advertising (it's still ugly here but will green up next month). The search engines have picked it up and when I advertise on a couple By Owner sites and here locally AND various other free opportunities, I'll have lots of bases covered.
Was talking to a friend last night who is buying in the Seattle area. She had 2 days there to look, drove through neighborhoods, etc. The RE lady had set up a showing for a home, my friend said, no thanks we drove around there and are not interested. The RE lady insisted since she'd made the appointment. I would have told her to blow smoke but my friend is so nice, they wasted an hour or more even though everyone (except the seller) knew it wasn't going to happen. My point being, it's not the number of showings, but the number of quality showings.
I've bought and sold privately many times and now there is so much help on line as to forms or requirements. The Title Company is your friend, they do the work, you supply the documents.
Hope it all works out what ever way you proceed.
Rancher
Terry and Jo said
02:45 PM Mar 13, 2010
George,
Don't give up hope. In our case, our home has been listed for about 2 years, but this isn't the best of economies for selling. The media wants to hype how bad everything in the housing market is, but it depends on the area. For instance, the Oklahoma City area is still pretty good for housing, but it is still a buyer's market.
Back in 2003, we were trying to sell a home and one realtor I spoke with told me that I wanted too much for a price. She said that I needed to drop my price to be in line with other property in the neighborhood. (Which, by the way, didn't have the improvements that we had put in.) So, I didn't book with her and kept looking.
We stumbled upon our current realtor while looking for acreages and spoke with her of listing our home. Basically, she told us to ask what price we wanted, but that we might have to come down later if no one wanted to pay our price. As it turned out, we sold at our price, the buyer paid our closing costs, and all they wanted were a few items that we wouldn't have needed like the refrigerator, pet door, and a wishing well.
Basically, I guess what I am saying is that you need to spend the time talking with different agents. Try to find one that you see has advertised quite a bit for other sellers (in papers and real estate magazines at your local supermarket) and that will listen to you and follow your lead. Don't be afraid to listen to your realtor when they make suggestions, because sometimes they do make sense.
Sorry for your setback. Hang in there. Your friends here on RV Dreams are encouraging you.
Terry
Dreamers said
02:54 PM Mar 13, 2010
So sorry your deal fell through. You must feel terrible as I know how we would feel.
Our house is finally getting on the market. We signed the listed papers last night with our realtor and it will be officially on MLS and have a sign in the yard on Monday.
Yes, realtors do cost a lot of money but we have decided they are the best bet in our area. We have worked with our realtor before - both selling and buying - and she is a worker. When we bought the house we are in now that we are trying to sell, at the last minute before we were supposed to close the title company found a missing deed in the link and could not warrant the title. The listing (sellers) agent was doing nothing to save the sale. (The house was a foreclosure owned by Fannie Mae.) Our realtor asked who the deed was from and to, made calls to find the attorney who had written the deed and ask questions. She was told that it had been sent to the court house for recording and never sent back. Our realtor proceeds to go to the courthouse and demand that they find the lost deed. She insisted that it was there somewhere. Guesswhat! the deed was found and she was able to call the title company and tell them where it was and the closing could proceed as scheduled. How's that for service?
Also, there is a big difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved. And, I understand that even with pre-approved, the deal can still fall apart - even at the closing table. However, as my realtor explained last night, she is required by law to bring us all offers - no matter how risky or ridiculous they are. The 3 of us will just have to sort thru them.
I'm a little leary that it is overpriced but she said we can always come down but its very hard to go up. And the price was based on good info; tax value assessment, price of house 3 doors down for sale, etc. Let's just hope it doesn't take six months - I'll be a basket case. We've already been delayed 2 months due to medical problems that came up.
Oh well, this is supposed to be about you and not about us.
Good luck on finding another buyer.
Judy & Bob
Racerguy said
03:31 PM Mar 13, 2010
I appreciate all the feedback as it makes us realize we aren't alone in plugging through this ugly housing economy we are in. Houses are starting to move again in our area as most of the foreclosures have cycled through.Our Realtor was on a short leash already for various reasons so this was just the straw that broke the camels back. We will land on our feet just like we always have and will move on. Thanks to all once again.We are Blessed to have our RV Dreams friends.
2fortheroad said
04:06 PM Mar 13, 2010
Some really good info here. We have had our house up for sale for only a month now but have only had two inquires that we know off and several drive-byes (no shots fired thank God). I think we have a good realtor, but time will tell. I put a call into her Thursday and we will be having a sit down with her Monday.
One of the major issues we are facing are the Short sales and Foreclosures. We have two houses in our neighborhood that are bank sales and they are asking 50 to 70 thousand less than we are and they are not selling either.
As of now we are still planning on our trip to Alaska in June. Sometime in May we will put our valuables (the crap we just can't part with yet) into storage. We plan to leave most of the furniture in the house until it sells. Then what ever the kids don't take, we will sell and or donate.
We have a decent setup for the time being, but want to move into a 5ver and make it as GREEN as possible. We are looking forward to outlasting current economic conditions and seeing and doing as much as alloyed.
I know this does not relate to the subject but thought it was funny. I read this in another RV site this morning.
New Law Goes In Affect In Montana Immediately.
Drivers are no longer permitted to have sheep in the cab of their truck with out a chaperone.
Ok, I have a weird sense (SICK) of humor.
azrving said
04:22 PM Mar 13, 2010
2fortheroad wrote:
I know this does not relate to the subject but thought it was funny. I read this in another RV site this morning.
New Law Goes In Affect In Montana Immediately.
Drivers are no longer permitted to have sheep in the cab of their truck with out a chaperone.
Ok, I have a weird sense (SICK) of humor.
-- Edited by azrving on Saturday 13th of March 2010 04:28:24 PM
Wow, that's great ..... let your adventure begin.
Cindy T
Time for Racerguy to hit the road.
Some place where it is warm,this winter has been way to long and cold for these old bones.Probably head for Phoenix area and then figure out from there. Thanks to all for the congrats. We are really excited.
That's great news. We're happy for you. Hope to see you on the road.
I noticed just days ago, March 9th to be exact, you stated in a string that you were "not a fulltimer and would likely be a snow bird."
Good tactic, as once we say something, the opposite will happen to prove us wrong. Good tactic to get your house sold!!!
Charles
-- Edited by Roz on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 09:08:31 AM
Wouldn't be interested in a house in Idaho would YA?
Just kidding lol. Happy Travels!!!!
Ron & Sharon
We are so happy for you!
We close on our house next Tuesday. Let's just say downsizing to 350 square feet is not for sissies!
BTW...Craigslist was great for selling last minute items we decided not to take.
John and Carol
Congratulations to you couples who sold your houses. I am so delighted for you!! How wonderful to read of your RV-Dreams coming true!
May you both get extras sold off in a hurry and we'll be looking forward to future postings, with photos of your driving off into the sunset of full-timing life in May!!
Way to go!
We are back at square one but feel we have been educated and will fare better in the future.No more counting chickens before they are hatched
-- Edited by azrving on Saturday 13th of March 2010 10:18:31 AM
-- Edited by Racerguy on Saturday 13th of March 2010 12:36:57 PM
I'm so sorry to hear your deal fell through. We also have had 2 deals fall through due to financing or greedy buyers. I agree with what other have said about unprofessional real estate agents. But they aren't the only ones. We lost one of our deals because of an unprofessional home inspector who basically said everything needed to be inspected by licensed contractors to save his own behind from a potential lawsuit. What a scam home inspection has become. We also haven't sold a home since the 1980s and can't believe how difficult it has become.
I caution trying the for sale by owner route in this economy. We tried that for 6 months last summer and only had 6 showings in that time. It has become a standard in the real estate industry that agents won't show a flat fee real estate listing unless buyers specifically ask to see it. They stick together and only show full listing properties. Since listing with a full service agency, we have had 27 showings in 4 months. That says it all!
Hang in there. Patience is the hardest thing. We actually had someone approach us with an offer to lease to own. We don't want to go that route, but may consider it if nothing happens in the next few months.
Good luck to you with your new agent!
Don't give up hope. In our case, our home has been listed for about 2 years, but this isn't the best of economies for selling. The media wants to hype how bad everything in the housing market is, but it depends on the area. For instance, the Oklahoma City area is still pretty good for housing, but it is still a buyer's market.
Back in 2003, we were trying to sell a home and one realtor I spoke with told me that I wanted too much for a price. She said that I needed to drop my price to be in line with other property in the neighborhood. (Which, by the way, didn't have the improvements that we had put in.) So, I didn't book with her and kept looking.
We stumbled upon our current realtor while looking for acreages and spoke with her of listing our home. Basically, she told us to ask what price we wanted, but that we might have to come down later if no one wanted to pay our price. As it turned out, we sold at our price, the buyer paid our closing costs, and all they wanted were a few items that we wouldn't have needed like the refrigerator, pet door, and a wishing well.
Basically, I guess what I am saying is that you need to spend the time talking with different agents. Try to find one that you see has advertised quite a bit for other sellers (in papers and real estate magazines at your local supermarket) and that will listen to you and follow your lead. Don't be afraid to listen to your realtor when they make suggestions, because sometimes they do make sense.
Sorry for your setback. Hang in there. Your friends here on RV Dreams are encouraging you.
Terry
Our house is finally getting on the market. We signed the listed papers last night with our realtor and it will be officially on MLS and have a sign in the yard on Monday.
Yes, realtors do cost a lot of money but we have decided they are the best bet in our area. We have worked with our realtor before - both selling and buying - and she is a worker. When we bought the house we are in now that we are trying to sell, at the last minute before we were supposed to close the title company found a missing deed in the link and could not warrant the title. The listing (sellers) agent was doing nothing to save the sale. (The house was a foreclosure owned by Fannie Mae.) Our realtor asked who the deed was from and to, made calls to find the attorney who had written the deed and ask questions. She was told that it had been sent to the court house for recording and never sent back. Our realtor proceeds to go to the courthouse and demand that they find the lost deed. She insisted that it was there somewhere. Guesswhat! the deed was found and she was able to call the title company and tell them where it was and the closing could proceed as scheduled. How's that for service?
Also, there is a big difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved. And, I understand that even with pre-approved, the deal can still fall apart - even at the closing table. However, as my realtor explained last night, she is required by law to bring us all offers - no matter how risky or ridiculous they are. The 3 of us will just have to sort thru them.
I'm a little leary that it is overpriced but she said we can always come down but its very hard to go up. And the price was based on good info; tax value assessment, price of house 3 doors down for sale, etc. Let's just hope it doesn't take six months - I'll be a basket case. We've already been delayed 2 months due to medical problems that came up.
Oh well, this is supposed to be about you and not about us.
Good luck on finding another buyer.
Judy & Bob
One of the major issues we are facing are the Short sales and Foreclosures. We have two houses in our neighborhood that are bank sales and they are asking 50 to 70 thousand less than we are and they are not selling either.
As of now we are still planning on our trip to Alaska in June. Sometime in May we will put our valuables (the crap we just can't part with yet) into storage. We plan to leave most of the furniture in the house until it sells. Then what ever the kids don't take, we will sell and or donate.
We have a decent setup for the time being, but want to move into a 5ver and make it as GREEN as possible. We are looking forward to outlasting current economic conditions and seeing and doing as much as alloyed.
I know this does not relate to the subject but thought it was funny. I read this in another RV site this morning.
New Law Goes In Affect In Montana Immediately.
Drivers are no longer permitted to have sheep in the cab of their truck with out a chaperone.
Ok, I have a weird sense (SICK) of humor.
-- Edited by azrving on Saturday 13th of March 2010 04:28:24 PM