Hello - House may be selling quicker than I thought

[FreeToBe]

Well it's kicked into high gear now.  I've just learned that some vacant, land-locked lots behind my house have been put on the market to be developed, and the access will be just out my front door
The best thing about my house is that although it's in the city with all the conveniences, the land across the street and behind me is undeveloped and wild.  I've had the best of both worlds with McDonald's around the corner and foxes, deer and pheasants in my backyard.
Now it's definitely time to go.

Good luck with it Mayble - it's not a fun or easy process, that's for sure.  I'm thinking now of changing the title of this thread to "Hello - My house may take longer to sell than I thought".  I have people coming in and out of the house all the time now (realtors, contractors to repair things, potential home buyers, etc.) and so far, no new offers.  However, I just need to move forward and now need to progress from the "Home Preparation to Sell" stage to the "Selling Stuff" stage.  I asked my realtor if there was any thing else I needed to do to the house and the answer was "no, you're good" (although there is one minor thing I need to do that'll take a few hours), so on to selling stuff!

So, this may be a blessing in disguise.  It'll give me a chance to downsize without so much pressure and continue to sketch out what I would want in a van conversion (and even think if that's what I really want).

 

[myway_1]

I decided to sell my house to a flipper. It needed lots of work to make it desirable to potential buyers and I didn't want to go through that hassle. Plus I have social anxiety and the idea of listing the house and having people to see it made me nervous.

I called them up, they came the same day and we signed a contract after a few minutes of negotiating. They said a closing should be possible in 2 - 3 weeks. That was a few days ago, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[FreeToBe]

I decided to sell my house to a flipper. It needed lots of work to make it desirable to potential buyers and I didn't want to go through that hassle. Plus I have social anxiety and the idea of listing the house and having people to see it made me nervous.

I called them up, they came the same day and we signed a contract after a few minutes of negotiating. They said a closing should be possible in 2 - 3 weeks. That was a few days ago, so we'll see how it goes.

That's really interesting.  If you don't mind me asking, was it much lower than what you would expect to sell the house for through a realtor?  I would happily sell my house for 7% to 8% lower than what we have it listed for now.

 

[myway_1]

I don't know. I didn't get a realtor's opinion. The price was 25% less than the Zillow market value estimate. But the house is in below average condition.

 

[abnorm]

Well in my case the buyer did pay for an appraiser.........my house is also in tired shape..........I dropped the sale price 30% from the inflated Zillow estimate......my neighbor intends to increase the bedroom count within the same footprint by using a large enclosed porch and flip the property............we only have a handshake agreement............we still have to "sign" the deal.....fingers-crossed


I also made some other concessions like leaving my table saw and air compressor in the garage........I'll need to stay an extra month after the sale to buy the van and complete my build

doug

 

[FreeToBe]

Thanks Myway and Adnorm - That sounds like something I need to look into.  Heck, I would be willing to leave just about everything (except a few personal items and the tools I would need to build out a van) if I could get the right offer.  I'm sure it will all work out in the end, I'm just getting antsy to get on with my life.  Patience, grasshopper.

 

[mayble]

When I bought my house 20 years ago the previous owners had left most of their belongings behind.  Attic and shed full of stuff, most of the furniture and even a freezer full of (old) food.
Maybe it's time to "pay it forward" lol.

 

[abnorm]

I think if you can look at the deal from both sides you'll find your answers.............

If a flipper wants the property he has to buy it at the right price............that discounted price is the real "Profit" in the whole deal.............

He'll work hard to improve the property and raise the new selling price..........but those gains are earned by his hard work.........he needs the right price first...........

Also nobody wants the junk..............I've already had 4 large rolloff/dumpsters on the property in the last year............I'll have at least one more before I leave

I also separate all the metals for recycling............Ferrous metals $$ are so low I'm having trouble getting free pickup at the moment...........I take all my non-ferrous directly to the recycler in the trunk of the car....enough spare change to make it worthwhile

The city started using those rolling trash cans for residents a couple years ago............ABSOLUTELY the best way to get rid of junk "over time".........I never miss a garbage day without filling the can to the brim............I had a LOT of heavy books/paper products/business records/photos and film to dispose..............in my county I know all the household trucks go directly to the landfill for burial..............while the dumpsters get sorted at a recycling facility..........I'm careful to distinguish What goes Where

My tools are my real weakness......It seems every hand tool has a story to tell.....I'll be traveling with a "mobile hardware store"....If/when you meet me on the road...ASK....I'm looking to lighten-my-load and give the tools to friends who will use them.....
doug

 

[FreeToBe]

I have those rolling trash cans as well and every trash day, I have them stuffed to the gills - if there's any space left, I'll go around and find something to push in there.  The only reason I haven't gotten rid of more stuff is that I'm planning to have an estate sale if and when the house sells and the estate sale people say to not throw or give anything away until after the sale.  I do have several items to sell myself, mainly hobby items, that the average person at an estate sale would probably have no interest in, but has value to a niche group of people.

Tools (and hobby stuff) is going to be my biggest problem as well.  I'm planning to keep enough tools to get the van completed, but then will have to either pare it done considerably or store a lot of it.

No matter when the house sells, I need to really start making a push to sell items and lighten the load.

 

[ClassyGlobal]

Welcome to CRVL FreeToBe. Congrats on the potential sell! Try camping out in your current vehicle overnight and see how you feel about it. If it's a sedan, empty your trunk, lay your rear seats down and push your front seats forward, surprising how much space you get for at least diagonal sleeping on a good pad with sleeping bag. I tried mine and instantly realized I needed a flatter vehicle than my current vehicle configuration, ONLY about 3 more feet length and I'd prefer 20 to 30 inches more height in order to be happy. With about 3 nights in your vehicle you quickly get an idea of how you'd modify your morning and evening routines for minimal space. I hope you find a cozy corner as you continue to enjoy all the great people, stories and wealth of information this forum offers. Be safe and enjoy the roads ahead.

 

[FreeToBe]

ClassyGlobal - Thanks!  Those are some great ideas.  I might do a little car camping soon and will try sleeping in the car instead of the tent to try it out.

Update on the house:  I got a new buyer last week and the inspection is scheduled for tomorrow.  If I get past this hurdle and the appraisal, things will be looking up, although I won't have a lot of time to figure out what to do next.  I'm leaning to getting an apartment for a few months and work on the rest of the downsizing and getting a vehicle ready, but my plans are very much in flux right now.  Fingers crossed!