I love going back over the previous year to see who I helped buy and sell a home. There are always so many reasons, but one fact remains - we seem to be hellbent on moving!
For 2013 I sold 39 homes. The biggest reason seems to be a change of home - bigger, smaller, different neighborhood, or to be closer to their kids.
A few were empty nesters, were ready to downsize.
- Rose was preparing for the inevitable move-out of her boys and wanted them to have adjusted to the new house in the same neighborhood before they left.
- Bill and Joanna were sending their son off on a worldly adventure, and no longer needed their huge yard, since they were losing their free lawn mower.
A few were ready for a bigger home.
- Leilani and Dan were ready for a much bigger home, near their kid's schools. They got a super deal on a gigantic foreclosure right up the street from the youngest son's good friend.
- Paul and Tracy had spent decades in a home much smaller than their incomes allowed, and finally move up to a gorgeous home that accommodated his RV.
- Matt and Laura had expanded their family and bought a home with a much bigger yard than their duplex, which they kept as a rental. Fortunately Matt is a capable guy, as the foreclosure they bought had a pool that had popped out of the ground! That was a first! By now, it's been ground up and buried.
- Spence and Laura were ready for a bigger home to accommodate family holidays and a pool. We got them a doozie.
Others moved to be closer to grand kids, and maybe a few to be further away, but I won't name names!
My #2 reason was death or declining health. I listed a number of homes for the children after their parents died or went to a care facility. I actually had a record number of homes where it fell on me to dispose of a house full of furniture. For Dick's home, he had the most amazing collection of books - he had been a history buff, and had books on every era of American History. But the family didn't want them. Good thing I have a mini SUV, as the back was full of books daily for a bit, as I took them to the used book store. I couldn't bear the thought that a clean out crew would take them to the landfill. Goodwill came to know me on a first name basis. "Oh you again... where you getting this stuff???" I'm sure they thought I was a cat burglar!
I found that the stress of deciding what to do with all their parents stuff overwhelmed many of the kids. I told them all to just take what they wanted, and I would get rid of the rest. The lesson here, folks, is to pare down your stuff now. Apparently your kids don't want your treasures, and some stranger will be pawing through your stuff!
#3 was Relocation.
- Eric , Sam, Jaime, Nick, and David all finally got jobs in another city. They each had to leave their dream homes, some as a short sale, but when you have lost your job, a move may be the only option. A few others had retired and moved to be closer to family. A few others were ready to retire to an area with new leisure activities.
- Bernadette's new town is cheering her arrival as she comes with a sewing machine, a talent for theater costumes, and a ton of free time.
- David and Kirsten moved here for our cost of living and gardening weather, then bought a huge charming home next to a master gardener!
#4 Was First Time Buyers. They were all fun to work with - so excited and and appreciative of how much bigger the new space is compared to their rental.
- My standout favorite was my daughter and son-in-law. I found them a killer deal, with a 3 car garage, 4 bedrooms and 4 fruit trees. Our pantry is full of canned lemon curd, orange marmalade, and jellies from her built in orchard.
- I have known Brandon since preschool - so fun to see him grow into a man, with a wife, and an urge to "nest". We found a great home. Very proud of him.
- Three others were ready to move back into homeownership after a long period as renters. Each has their own story, but all were ready to step back into their own peice of the rock.
#5 was income property. Some were selling their rental - just sick and tired of dealing with wing-nut tenants. A few had rented out their parents homes after their died, and were ready to cut the cord, and a few others bought a rental.
In all, it was a fun year. I love helping families adjust their lives into or out of their home. It's a stressful time, but I have worked hard at perfecting my craft to lessen the liklihood of problems.
And now I start over with a clean slate, ready to see the stories and friendships that 2014 brings!
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