Hello!

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">Hey y’all!&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"> My name is Kathy, and&nbsp;I’m a longtime lurker/dreamer.&nbsp; I’ve been reading and wondering and planning about a fulltime on the road life, and circumstances have forced my hand - it's time to act.&nbsp; Went to the RTR last January - hoping to get a feel for vandwelling - and met so many wonderful people, all very enthusiastic and inspiring. &nbsp;I just don’t know if this path will be right for me…and I think I won’t ever know that without taking the plunge.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">My situation is this: </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">First, I’m 58 and about to be laid off due to the shutdown of the business – I figure I have about 2 ½ months.&nbsp; It is a particularly good job: really nice co-workers, an amazingly easy-going, accommodating boss, mostly unstressful work, short commute, good pay, free parking; it’s all good, right?&nbsp; And I can’t wait to get away from it.&nbsp; And I can’t imagine working under any other conditions à I’m done with wage slavery, tired of selling my life for money.&nbsp; Workamping - yes; fulltime cubicle dwelling to pay for a house to sleep and eat in so I can stay alive to return to the cubicle day after day – no.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">B., I have a totally cluttered up house that I’ve got to sell – going to use the money to live on until other funds become available, like social security.&nbsp; I know, I know – naïve.&nbsp; I’ve thought of renting and it sounds like a nightmare that will just keep me tethered.&nbsp; I have no idea how to sell a house; I know there are issues with real estate agents and making sure I get a good deal rather than giving the buyer everything (I know it’s a buyer’s market, but c’mon!).&nbsp; Not expecting helpful hints on this one (but I sure won’t turn any down! <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">), just wanting to give the full picture of my timeline/situation.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">Three, I am pretty much entirely unmechanically inclined.&nbsp; I wanted a truck for years, and as one of the things I value most in a vehicle is reliability, I bought a 2004 Tundra several years ago. &nbsp;&nbsp;I’d been weighing the decision of what to focus on for a roadhome and just lately articles about living in a cargo trailer keep popping up. &nbsp;&nbsp;Feels like a message filtering through.<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif"></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">So I’d like to solicit opinions and any stories about experiences that might help make the decision.&nbsp; For instance, when the summer RTR was still set for Leadville, I was wondering how feasible it is to expect my truck to get a trailer to climb the Rockies.&nbsp; I have close to no towing experience at all.&nbsp; I read just the other day “after a week the trailer will feel like it’s always been there” or something like that and am hoping for that result.&nbsp; And I’ve read that people think it’s easy to be stealthy (that is, able to park and sleep) in cities with the truck/cargo trailer combo – how do you do it?</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial">It’s been so fine visiting with you all on the forum and at Yahoo Vandwellers and your blogs – thank you for showing me the dream and keeping it alive.&nbsp; I’m really ready to camp with you, and hope and pray this fulltiming is the right decision for me.</font></p>

 

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<font face="Arial">BTW, sorry for the looooong post, and thank you so much for ideas and comments.</font><div><font face="Arial">Cheers,</font></div><div><font face="Arial">K</font></div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome, we are the same age but I'm more immature. <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"><IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif"><br><FONT color=#00ffff size=3><b>Dragonfly</b></FONT><br>

 

[Les H]

Hi Kathy, welcome.
I'm in construction, middle aged, and trying to sell the house we own in the northeast while living in the house we rent in the southeast. I was always the traveling type, though I don't full time yet, we have a hs senior and a freashman still at home.....BUT SOON!
Glad to have you here.
Les

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

Welcome Kathy! Best of luck with the house. We have one we are undecided on what to do with here in South Jersey. Rough times to sell around here.<div><br></div>

 

[Simran]

Kathy,<br>You never said what part of the country you live in. However, there are many parts of the US where the real estate market isn't all that bad. What&nbsp; is important is that it be move in ready which may require you to do some updating &amp;/or repairs. My favorite mother-in-law is a real estate broker and this is her mantra always! Houses that are move in ready sell quickly even in tougher markets. That said, there are pockets around the country where it is hard to give homes away right now but they're just that; pockets around the country.<br>Another thing my mother-in-law says is if a house sells sooner than 6 weeks it was under priced. So this is something that takes awhile. It is a process that a solid real estate professional can help you with. They are not all out to rip you off. By-and-large they are honest hard working people just like you &amp; I. That said they are ALL independent business people and the good ones are hustlers; something work-a-day laborer's like us aren't used to. Give it a little time to build a relationship with them so you can trust them.<br><br>Anyway welcome!<br><br>gus<br><br>

 

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<font face="Arial"><font size="2">Thanks Dragonfly!&nbsp; I never would've claimed so much maturity;&nbsp; I gotta start reading what I write from a different point of view</font>.</font> <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<font face="Arial" size="2">Hey Les and DJ, thank you for the welcome, and I'm sorry to hear about your real estate woes.&nbsp; It's been pretty tough for a long time now...&nbsp; Keep your sunnyside up!</font> <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2">Hey Gus. Thank you for bringing me back to reality. I keep trying to hide from the facts because they can be so daunting, and I'll never get this move accomplished if I don't face them. And please know I mean no disrespect to your mother-in-law or her profession. The last few times I've heard about my friend's and family's dealings with realtors have been horror stories. I know that is not always or even typically the case.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2">I live in Sacramento CA which is, I understand, a pretty grim market. Making the house really attractively move-in ready will take many thousands of dollars, I think, and I don't have that kind of money in reserve. The roof and HVAC are sadly out-of-date, and those alone could run probably $20K at least. The kitchen is solid 80's décor – not a winner. New carpet, linoleum, paint, appliances, on and on. I inherited this house and its mortgage some years ago, having come from a lifetime of apartment living, so this home ownership (and its responsibilities) thing is still pretty foreign to me. It's an odd combination of my blessed retirement savings and an albatross around my neck. If I can't sell it in 3-4 months' time, I will have to go find a job to support it, you see. Facts.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2">Okay, whine-fest ended; sorry I let it go on so long. I'm going to hunt around for a real estate professional to help me get this thing started. Wish me luck! And thanks again, Gus, for the welcome and the help.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2">Cheers,</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif" size="2">K</font></p>

 

[yesican]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome Kathy.&nbsp;&nbsp;I wish you luck in the sale of your home.&nbsp; Talk to a realtor.&nbsp; They will set you straight as far as the best route for you to take to sell...if you should update or sell as is at a lesser rate for quick sale.&nbsp; Some people are looking for fixer-uppers</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Don't worry about no experience pulling a trailer.&nbsp; Two days and you're a pro if the trailer isn't large and heavy.&nbsp; You'll forget its behind you.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Us 50's ladies must stick together with all the unknown knowlege we get to learn.&nbsp; Enjoy this new phase in your life even though it may be difficult at times.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Rae</p>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome, Kathy <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Suggestion: Due Diligence!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Ask any potential Realtor for seller names and contact info on their most recent six sales so you can call and get the straight scoop on this realtor. If they can't give you six, they are probably inexperienced or hiding something.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Good references and referrals are the life blood for good fulltime realtors.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[owl]

<P>Tuesday, you have a good attitude. Just take it slow and easy. Welcome, check your PM</P>