It’s a far cry from how I’ve felt for the past twelve
months:
done.
Depending on how you look at it, five is my lucky number. I
first tried to sell the house five years ago. I was over the whole rural living
experiment. Reconciled with the reality that we sometimes make bad decisions,
listed the place, applied for and accepted a job back in the Vancouver area.
But then the listing languished on the market. I stuck with the five-hour daily
commute (there’s that number again) for three years and any sense of resiliency
got worn down and wiped out.
I resigned myself to living that line from The Eagles’ “Hotel
California”: You can check out any time
you like, but you can never leave. Yes, I’d completely checked out. But I
was trapped. And so I changed jobs again in order to work locally. Life became
less hectic, but also less of anything and everything.
Just less.
All fall I delayed putting my house up for sale. I knew I
had to do it. I just wasn’t ready—not strong enough—to have my spirit further
beaten down by another long, long period of showings and up-turned noses from
prospective buyers.
“Pass.”
“The place needs work.”
“The front door should be a different color.”
I met with a realtor in September. She took pictures for the
listing and then I sat on the idea of putting the house on the market. I spent
my weekends running away to San Francisco, Seattle, Whistler and Victoria. Too busy to think about the house, I
told myself.
I am a master at avoidance.
But then I texted her in late December and we agreed on a
date to meet, sign the papers and list the house. No turning back.
Perhaps timing is indeed everything. Five days after the
listing got posted on real estate sites, I had competing offers coming in. Out
of three showings, I had two offers being presented. Each offer was rewritten,
the price upped. That’s unheard of where I live. Other houses in my area
continue to have For Sale signs posted. One sign three blocks away from me is
now completely obstructed by overgrown shrubs. Another house owned by a senior
has basically been abandoned. The market remains bleak and yet somehow I am set
up for an April 1st release date.
April Fool’s Day. I still brace for the deal to fall
through. I delayed posting this news. Too good to be true? But all the
conditions have been removed. I have to believe it’s done. Yes, DONE!
I can look forward once more.
High fives, indeed!
