The first week of June, we were still living at the old house, but by our closing date, we were ready to move the last of the furniture and set up a new household. Appliances arrived, including a front-loading washer and dryer that dwarfed our new laundry room. At first, we were a bit taken … More Downsizing: Moving On, Saying Hello
While the flies still buzzed around the groundhog’s head in the back yard, I searched online for every angle I could think of about disposing of a dead animal. Legally, we couldn’t throw his corpse in the river. Tempting, but illegal. If we buried him, we’d have to dig at least six inches down into … More Downsizing: The Marmot’s Tale, Part 2
There was one moment when I thought the entire selling-the-house deal would fall apart. It happened on Thursday, the day before closing. The new owners had some difficulty arranging the final walk-through of the property. They were sure they wanted the house, so we figured it was just a formality. They scheduled it on the … More Downsizing: The Marmot’s Tale, Part 1
Bill and I were leaving the first house we bought together. I thought saying goodbye to the house would be different than the apartments I left in the past. I thought I would have more pangs of conscience. I thought I would miss the space, the light, and the backyard menagerie that entertained me … More Downsizing: Saying Goodbye
The house was sold! The contract was signed! Contemplating the possibility of moving was strange and exciting when it was a goal, but now it was a reality. Our first question was, “When?” The buyers asked for a May 28th settlement, and we agreed. Our second question was, “Where are we going to live next?” We … More Downsizing: Limbo and Luck
We had a few showings after the house went on the market at the beginning of March. I heard a lot of folks talk about what an annoyance showings can be because you have to keep the house neat, clean, and ready for visits at a moment’s notice. We didn’t mind that part of … More Downsizing: The Open House
In January we decided on a March 13th open house so the realtor could show prospective buyers how lovely our home was. By mid-February the weight of prepping the house for sale set in. What seemed like a good idea in early January now felt like an unbearable load on my shoulders. Bill took it … More Downsizing: Preparing to put the house on the market
