Think twice before you decide to move and sell your house, people. My ordeal lasted five months and almost cost me my sanity.
During the years that followed 1995 when I finally retired, there were some filled with pleasures, some great memories, and a great deal of sadness. After my life turned around 180 degrees, I knew it was time for some changes.
I decided that the house I had been in for more than 24 years was now much too big for the dogs and me and I was tired of maintaining it and the pool. Easy problem to solve. I would just move into a rental home I had as soon as the renters moved out. Easy? Yeah!
First of all, what to do with all the extra furniture and stuff? Well, a garage sale (aka giveway) disposed of a lot of treasures (aka junk to other people) and some arm-twisting of a daughter accomplished the task of reducing the critical mass.
The fun part began when the old house came on the market! Picky, picky people came to pry. And who would have left doors unlocked? Doors wide open? Lights turned on? Water heater valve loosened so that there was a puddle on the floor? Weekly activity reports from the Real Estate company contained such remarks as "Prospect loves house, but doesn't want a swimming pool." I wondered, irately, now why didn't the salesperson tell the prospect there was a swimming pool. Maybe she thought I would fill it up? Also "The house could stand a touch of painting." I ask you, why did they think I was selling it so cheap? "We'll investigate" was the sum of the satisfaction I received after calls each time mischief reared its ugly head. Plumbing bills became a regular routine and the fear of vandalism was a constant worry.
Just when I was beginning to think the house would never sell, the magic words came from the Real Estate lady, "I think I have a buyer for you," I only had three words: "How much" and "Sold".
One final insult was when the so-called Inspector went through the house and left the thermostat turned up so high my heating bill was more than double for that month! And adding one final insult, came up with about $2000 worth of things that had to be done before the house could be sold.
But finally the real estate gods smiled on me and my tasks were completed. I am now the happy owner of only one house (much smaller), no pool, one tax/insurance bill and the Lord willing and the creek don't rise, more time to play golf.
Fore! I'm playing through!