Remember how I went through that frustrating time last fall when our Little Crooked House was shunned by all of the house-hunters?
And how we ended up taking the house off of the market so that we could renovate it over Christmas? (The messiest and most frustrating time to rip up all of our flooring and replace it?)
Well it paid off.
We put our house on the market on a Monday, and had an offer by Friday.
They’ll be living here in the first week of April.
And we… will not.
We will be living in my very generous sister-and-brother-in-law’s basement. Because inventory is low in our real estate market, and there is nothing out there that we want to buy.
Here is where my palms get sweaty.
Our stuff is going to be put into storage. And I am the one who is going to do most of the “putting”.
I’ve been pretending that most of this is just going to happen when the Moving Fairy shows up. She will bring with her two strapping Ryan Gosling look-a-likes who will haul mattresses and bookshelves into storage containers, while I drink wine and make jokes about being a packrat.
Could happen, right?
***
My girlfriend asked, “So, how much have you gotten packed?”
WHAT?!?! I’m supposed to be packing already?
Lucy’s face is how I feel.
I’ve made lists. In my brain.
I’ve checked out storage options. On the internet.
I’ve gathered boxes from the produce sections of all of the grocery stores. No, I haven’t. This is just lies.
We’ve lived in this house since before we were married. I don’t even want to know about all of the tchotchkes and knick-knacks and crap and garbage that is lurking in cupboards and cabinets. And when I discover them, I can’t stuff them back into the darkened corners of the closet and pretend I didn’t see them.
I need a pep-talk, gang. I need you to tell me that I can donate it. That I can sell it. That I probably shouldn’t pay to store it so that I can leave it in a cupboard to be ignored for another 8 years.
Or tell me pretty stories about the Moving Fairy. I hear that she has a big gauzy dress of turquoise and gold, and she wears steel-toes and drinks beer and eats pizza.
I’m willing her into existence.
And while I’m not sentimental about real estate, I’m finding myself wistful about leaving the playhouse behind.
Goodbye, little house. I think I loved you best of all.
35 comments
Danica
There is nothing more liberating then purging!!!! Trust me! We did a big one last year and I felt so fresh and clean. Just think how spring is coming and a fresh new start is on your horizon!
Tara
Thank you, Danica. It’s the fresh new start that is exciting – but also a bit daunting. It’s time to start packing, I’m thinking!
deeanna
A couple months ago I decided to pretend that we were moving so I could purge. I do have to admit when I was loading our van with stuff I felt a twinge looking at the cute clothes my daughter used to wear, but we found a great thrift store in town that helps a lot of families that are destitute, giving them clothes and food. So everything I gave them went to help people, which made me feel like it was all worth it. There are so many thrift stores that donate to worthy causes, would it help you to find one of those? Ours was a hometown place, but we’ve donated to Goodwill or Deseret Industries before. And now we have so much more room in our closets, it’s wonderful! Good luck with your move, I’m sure it will be worth it in the end!
Tara
Deanna – you’re so right. I need to remember that every donation I make will help someone else (or at the very least, end up being a thrifty project that could end up on a blog, as so often my thifted finds are!). I will remember that as I start rifling through my things tomorrow!
Amy of while wearing heels
No! The playhouse is staying with the house? Well, just think, you can make a new one…an even better one.
Congratulations on the FAST sale of your house.
Now…stop reading comments, get off of facebook and start packing…just not those cute new mugs you just bought…keep those out 🙂
Tara
Oh Amy.. I know! The playhouse can’t come out of the backyard – and the new owners have asked for it, so I know that they’re going to love it like I do.
And yes, I have to get off of the internet and just start packing/
But first, a cup of tea. You’re so right. 🙂
Mel
Tough Love. Get off your freaking computer and get packing you may have a 15 minute break for every 2 hours of packing!
COngrats on the quick sale Tara all that hard work paid off and I hope you find something you love really soon.
Tara
Mel – you are just what I need. I’m keeping you in my back pocket and bringing you out when I need a push. Be warned. You might be getting emails from me in the near future.
Kirsten
Can I hang out with the Moving Fairy? Turquoise and gold, beer and pizza? She sounds like my kinda gal! 🙂
Seriously, though, I think once you start, you’ll feel kind of liberated. I know I did when our family moved a year and a half ago. I let go of a lot more stuff than I anticipated, and it felt so good. And the bonus was, when we got into our new house, we got new stuff! Take it one day at a time, one room at a time, and try to enjoy the process. Allow those sweet memories to come flooding back while you sort through your belongings, and just take it in. This is a big deal, and you need to remember it. The good, the bad, the bittersweet, and all of it. Love you!
(If you ever need a break from your sister-and-brother-in-law’s basement, hit me up. I’ll smuggle you to Atlanta and we’ll hang out and drink beer and eat pizza wearing fluffy tulle skirts and tell dirty jokes.) 😉
Tara
Oh… that sounds all-kinds-of-fabulous! How do I smuggle myself to Atlanta right now?!?!?
The moving fairy is going to have to show up here, whether she likes it or not. I haven’t packed A THING.
I fail at moving already and I haven’t even started!
You’re so right though, sweet Kirsten: one day at a time, and I need to enjoy saying goodbye to my house. It’s been such a lovely time here. I should do this right. 🙂
laura@imnotatrophywife.com
You had me at Ryan Gosling look alike movers! Purge and Pack. In that order. It’s very liberating! laura
Tara
Oh, if Ryan Gosling showed up to encourage me, the house would be packed in a day! I know that purging needs to come first. I’m hoping that this weekend jump-starts me! 🙂
Danni@SiloHillFarm
congratulations girl! Sounds like much craziness is ahead of you for a little while. But, at least you have a place to land until you find your next home! If you find that moving fairy…send her my way, I’ll be needing her next. We’ll be listing this house in another week and then hopefully moving in about 3 weeks. This house can sit empty while it’s for sale. I’ll be happy to have my new house and see some of the many boxes of things I put in “temporary storage” 11 years ago and still haven’t opened. It’s the danger of storage units.
Tara
I’m loving your house renos as they’re happening, Danni! At least you know where you’re going! I feel like we’re embarking on a transient life now. It’s exciting, but I sometimes realize, “Whoa. We’re taking two kids along on this ride!”
I hope your house sells quickly!
And you haven’t had a storage unit for 11 years, have you?!? 🙂
Mary Scott
Congratulations! Packing & the stuff to be packed is more than you think, so you need to start yesterday! How exciting to have a great adventure on the horizon with a new canvas to be painted. I bet the playhouse sold your house to its new owners! I agree that a benevolent thrift store is the way to go for your purging. I have 1 in my neighborhood that helps struggling people here. Mary
Tara
I know… Oh Mary.. I’m already feeling a bit panicked.
I’ll start tomorrow.
(I haven’t packed a THING yet! GAH!)
Holly @ The Inspired Home
Great news of your sale! I’m the jerk who packed & purged all her own things and then moved to AB leaving the poor (newly minted) DH in ON to pack everything else. It was weird to get those picture updates of his progress.
I was genuinely downhearted when most of my favourite houseplants had to stay and couldn’t make the snowy drive out, but we got new ones and life went on.
Here’s my rule of thumb: if you haven’t touched/used it in one year, donate or sell it. If it doesn’t fit, ditto.
There are tons of charities, thrift stores, and hungry buyers on Kijiji that would love to get your stuff! we actually commissioned a family member to do all our kijiji posting & donating for us, and it was great.
Take a deep breath & get to it! Best of luck.
Tara
That’s such a great rule, Holly. I need to be really honest with myself when I dig through all of my stuff. I can’t imagine what it would look like if Mr. Suburble packed! Good for your hubby!
Shauna
How exciting and scary at the same time! Wishing you a smooth transition. Can’t wait to see what’s to come!
Tara
Thank you so much, Shauna! And you’re so right – it is both exciting AND scary!
Shari
Awe, you guys have to leave the play house? That makes me sad! But during all your crazy packing you will probably do a bunch of purging and feel great after! Wish I was closer to help! I am off on Thursday, if you get a chance give me a call!
Tara
It makes me so sad, too! I’m going to have to find another… there’s a project lurking here somewhere… I just know it!
Kenz, Interiors By Kenz
Congrats on being under contract! That’s great!
But packing… ug. It’s the literal WORST!
Tara
Yep. Literally it is. I just brought home 50 packing boxes today and Mr. Suburble thinks it was too many.
I’m pretty sure that it isn’t enough. 😛
Thea
I am so excited for but also feel a bit overwhelmed for you because you are going to be sooo busy. You will be moving twice once you find your new home but I am so pleased that your have a temporary location with family. Keep us posted!
Tara
Thank you, Thea! It will be a VERY busy time – I’m hoping that it goes by smoothly!
Leighann
moving is tedious! we bought our forever home so that we would never have to do that again. I love love love that little play house. It looks adorable. Hope that it’s a smooth transition for you.
Tara
We’re hoping to find that forever home. It’s something that I tell myself when I’m looking at the big to-do list. The playhouse has always had a special place in my heart. I’m going to miss it a lot!
MJ
Are you saying that tearing up the old carpet and installing a wood floor works???!!! I want to do that but everyone i mention it to says it’s not a good way to spend a few thousand $$s and not going to add to the bottom line.
I’d like to do it for me, in case my place doesn’t sell, because the old carpet was good for my health when it had already finished off-gassing when we bought the place ages ago. I’m thinking that after potential buyers have watched all the rehabs on hgtv that this wall-to-wall will kill the sale.
If anyone has any ideas on this issue, i’d surely like to read ’em.
This is my first visit to your site, Tara. And it’s already making my life better……I think……did you use solid wood or laminate?
Did you install it yourself or hire it done?
Any suggestions you have will be most welcome.
thanks,MJ
Tara
Well, MJ, our situation was a bit different. Our floor had a slight slope to it, and that was not a huge selling feature. So, we fixed it and replaced all of our floors. I’ll be honest, though, as a seller, I would definitely be drawn to wood floors over wall-to-wall carpet.
We put in laminate, because it was perfect for our house. A young family will be buying our home, and laminate is a durable choice for them.
And we hired it out – we wanted it to be well done and finished in a few days. Mr. Suburble and I have done our own laminate install in the past, but we did the work over Christmas and it would NOT be holly-jolly DIYing during the busiest time of the year.
I think it all depends on the price-point of your home and your prospective buyer. But I know that the homes I’m looking at right now with laminate and hardwood attract me more than carpeted rooms.
Jo-Anna
This will be all worth it…just you wait and see! It’s an exciting new adventure!! I agree though moving bites…but think of all the decorating you’ll get to do!! 🙂
Tara
You’re so right, Jo-Anna. I’m trying my best to remind myself of that when I’m looking at the huge mountains of toys that need to fit into square boxes. 😛