Big Changes

[Jackie Ramo]

I've been delinquent on the board as I have been quite busy lately, with an art show, just finished, getting ready for another show in June oh and the small matter of selling this house and buying another...:crybaby::crybaby:

Smith's office moved north of the city and the commute is too long for him so we will move closer to it. Right now I am packing up the personality of the house and getting it ready to be sold. We still have to find a new house but are looking at different neighbourhoods trying to decide which one is best for us.

At this point I am unsure whether I will take the koi with me or not. I thought I would rehome them all but when GG nearly died I had second thoughts so we will decide when the new home is found.

It was easy to think of giving them up when they were sleeping at the bottom but those begging faces are all very dear to me.

[Marg]

Difficult choices when you have had them so long. How long has it been?

How is the house finding going?
Marg

[Jackie Ramo]

Marg we have been here 11 years almost to the day. We closed at the end of May and moved in at the end of June after doing renovations and building a pond. Haven't found the right house yet although we have seen some we like. Need an offer on this one before we buy anything.

[Marg]

Have you found people want a house with a pond ...which would make it a selling feature or those that don't want a pond, just don't come to view?

It sure hasn't been good weather for selling a house. Hope it improves for you.
Marg

[Jackie Ramo]

Some have wanted a pond but even then the garden is too extensive for most. May have to fill it in to sell. People don't realize that grass needs cutting every week, flower beds do not!!

[Marg]

Some have wanted a pond but even then the garden is too extensive for most. May have to fill it in to sell. People don't realize that grass needs cutting every week, flower beds do not!!

I agree. Boy is the grass ever growing too!:doh: Actually, the flowers in my garden are very happy this year so far. The ones at the garden centers look pretty bedraggled.
That should stop me from buying any eh?:lol:
Good luck, Jackie.
Marg

[marla]

well I hope you find someone who wants it as it is...just to beautiful to bury under grass. We have talked about that if we ever have to sell, and have said if we had to we would pay to remove the ponds if that is the only way to sell the property...I also have lots of gardens and know I'm limiting buyers but to not have them would dim my life, those they would have to replant with grass I would pay to do that also.

[Jackie Ramo]

Well ponds are popular and they are not the only drawback or asset to the house. Its a special house that we have made for ourselves and doesn't suit everyone. So more interest today, we will see. No rush except we have being neat all the time....

[Ahhuhz]

Welcome to you can't sell your house club! Remember it took us three years to sell ours. The pond was there and had no effect. This is just a terrible time to sell houses here in the states. There are just so many on the market through foreclosure etc. that most homes don't sell quick. Good luck with it. Just watch the pricing, it may be too high. Have to remember what it will cost for upkeep if you don't sell it.

[Jackie Ramo]

Actually Chuck the market here is hot, never been hotter. Prices increased last year by 11% and 6% the year before, this year they may hit 17% increase. Bidding wars over prime properties - but not mine ;-( We will not buy if we do not sell. so we don't have to worry about carrying costs except gas for hubby to commute. So far none of the agents think it is priced too high, just need the right buyer. Maybe we should have kept that 3rd bedroom <LOL>

[Marg]

Here's hoping the right buyer comes along by the time you have found the house you want. Then all will go according to plan.:yup:

[Ahhuhz]

That is some change from here in this country. Seems like homes have been for sale for years and banks just don't want to work with people. Home prices have tanked big time. Then again, some were way over priced. It is sad to see some half finished communities with a partial pool or tennis court, etc. and empty lots full of weeds between houses. Hopefully it will pick up soon.

[clm]

We had to sell my fathers deceased aunts place to add to the estate for the upkeep of her son. Never even had to put it on the market. Word of mouth moved it. No staging, no cleaning, needs tons of very expensive rennovation as well. Sold in just a few days we had a firm offer, great price and closes in a few months. It's location in the heart of the city is all it took. Jackie is so right our real estate market never suffered the downturn experienced south of the border.
I'm sure your place will sell in short order Jackie.

clm

[Jackie Ramo]

Well we are not in a rush... we love this house and I certainly do not want to move but we need to which is another thing entirely. Smith got home at 7:30 tonight.. which is fine is one is young but not so good for old folks, another open house weekend...sigh

[Peg]

Best of luck this weekend, I'm sure it won't take long to sell.

[carcha koi]

Well
How was the open house. Hope all is well. Can't think of you without a POND

[Jackie Ramo]

Still waiting for the right buyer. Everyone loves the garden but no one wants to take care of it:yup: Its ok we haven't found a place we like yet. One today but it sold conditionally last night so not much hope it will fall through.