I’ve just moved house for the zillionth time. Okay, that may be an exaggeration… but it FEELS true. I worked out at one point (in 2000 or so) that I’d moved cities 11 times (involving 4 different countries) in a 15 year period, so you’d think I’d be kinda zen about the whole business of moving house. Sadly the reality is very different, as I always end up teetering on the edge of a tantrum a two-year old would envy.
Interestingly this time around the stuff I thought would stress me didn’t. Instead, I was plagued… well bothered, by unexpected problems.
Long term readers will recall I put my place on the market 4-5 months ago, frustrated with living in a fish bowl and stressed by some body corporate issues (though not the body corporate committee itself). I loved my location and my view. I loved most of my neighbours, but needed more space and wanted something that felt more like home.
Ten weeks of Open Houses passed and I’d essentially given up on my place selling, figuring I’d be staying put. In fact it really wasn’t until I told my agent I wasn’t going to keep my place on the market that he started bringing more potential buyers through! So, 11 weeks into my 12 week contract, my place sold.
I’d been monitoring the market but was caught unawares. I’d seen nothing I’d liked, so figured I’d rent. Until I broadened my search zone to include a couple of smaller suburbs on the outskirts of my (kinda still new) hometown, Hervey Bay. And then I saw it. The place I loved.
When it dropped price overnight I decided it was fate. I didn’t mess about. I looked at it. It felt perfect. I put in an offer and it was mine. The views didn’t quite measure up to the old place, but they were still pretty impressive.
But then there were hiccups with my sale and because my purchase was dependent on it, my dream house seemed as if it was slipping away.
My buyer lives overseas and things are obviously done very differently there. And as the sale was about to go unconditional she asked for a discount because she wanted to move the washing machine (into an unsealed room with no water or power). She contacted me directly on one occasion and emailed a number of other owners with questions (and no, I’m not sure how she got their contact information!).
I was excessively relieved when the sale went unconditional but (naturally) then started to stress about the move. I expected trouble.
But… the uplift and delivery were amazingly stress-free. My removalists were great. The ‘settlement’ for the sale and purchase went smoothly despite the usual week-before hiccups about deposits and the like.
However… I’d arranged for my old place to be cleaned. It’s not necessary I know, but the right thing to do. And yet, my buyer was unhappy with the 4hr clean I’d paid for. It’d been cleaner than it’d been for years, but she offered to send me pictures of her concerns and apparently DID send them to my Real Estate agent and the cleaners themselves. Seriously!
Whereas the house I bought hadn’t been cleaned at all. It’s not filthy but all of the curtains and blinds need a clean. The cupboards and benchtops all had a sticky film on them and needed a good wipe. The removalists traipsing in and out didn’t help the floors so now it needs a good vacuum. But… #longstoryshort (!!!) it’s wonderful.
There. Is. So. Much. Living. Space. And I have my own study (aka the third bedroom).
Better still, I feel ‘at home’ in this place in a way I never did in my previous place.
It feels like me.
So yes readers…. I’m in love.
If you read Sunday’s weekly check-in you’ll know I’m yet to actually shelve all of my books; and of course I’ve not managed to hook my TiVo up correctly yet, have ants in the kitchen, need to work out the gas, septic tank and need to get a handyman in for a range of odd-jobs, but still…
I’m home.
I know it’s the perfect time to declutter however, surely only true masochists enjoy the self-flagellation otherwise known as moving house?
September 6, 2016
Happy new house! That will be us in 6 mths… Yep, putting ours on the market in January & heading north- although not quite as far as you. Decluttering starts now.
September 6, 2016
OMG YAY JO!
September 6, 2016
Oh Jo, I’m with Mel… yay!
September 6, 2016
Yep, decision made, things just need to fall into place now…
September 6, 2016
Enjoy – the new surrounds as well as the relief of finding a place that makes your heart sing.
September 6, 2016
Thanks Kate. It most certainly does!
September 6, 2016
Congratulations! I am so glad you felt at home immediately and hope the minor problems get resolved quickly.
September 6, 2016
Thanks Nise’ me too. Mostly it’s stuff I just need to organise or be more patient about.
September 6, 2016
Am looking forward to coming up for a visit 🙂
September 6, 2016
You’re very welcome Mel. I’m not quite as close to the beach but I can still it.
September 6, 2016
yay for a study with a great view!
September 6, 2016
I know, right.
September 6, 2016
Welcome home!!
September 6, 2016
Oh… thanks so much. It really feels like that!
September 6, 2016
Moving house sucks balls, but the good thing about it is, it’s finite, and it’s always worth it in the end! The new place looks totally fab – hope your new home is jam packed full of happy!
September 6, 2016
Thanks Sammie!
September 6, 2016
So glad you have found your ‘home’. May you make many happy memories there.
September 6, 2016
Thanks Sarah. I did feel like this about another place I bought but that was a long time ago!
September 6, 2016
Congratulations! The place looks great.
September 6, 2016
Thanks… I’m very happy – so far! 😉
September 6, 2016
Your house looks wonderful and I’m so glad the move sorted out for you. It can be stressful – especially before the unconditional period. I hope you can make many happy memories in your new home Deb. x
September 6, 2016
Thanks Bec and yes the unconditional period was a long one (and was extended)… It was a month or a bit longer and then I only had under two weeks to get organised.
September 6, 2016
I think your new view is pretty spectacular too.
September 6, 2016
It is most certainly Karin. I was very very spoilt with my last location and very spoilt this time around!
September 6, 2016
It’s so beautiful! I have always wanted to visit Australia and your post(s) are making me wanting to visit it more and I can’t afford it LOL.
September 6, 2016
Oh dear…. sorry about that Penni!
September 6, 2016
There aren’t many things in life that are more stressful than buying and selling real estate. Throw in the fact that you then have to bloody MOVE HOUSE, and it’s shitsville all-around. Your place looks absolutely divine and I’m glad that it all worked out for you in the end. Congrats!!
September 6, 2016
Thanks – and it’s true… the whole buying / selling / moving is one of the more stressful things you can do. Though last time I did it I’d taken a redundancy and was moving towns at the same time, so it was probably worse!
September 6, 2016
GAWD, buyer from hell by the sound of it. Your new digs look lovely by the way!
September 6, 2016
Thanks Janet.
September 6, 2016
Excited for you as you know!! Please tell me you are writing your memoirs..I would love to read about your life in your professional capacity and where you have lived… You could make it anon! Love this new home of yours as it suits YOU so much better I think!! Denyse x
September 6, 2016
It does suit me a lot better Denyse! Interestingly I found all of these folders (during my move) containing letters I wrote home while overseas. I’d always thought of writing something which interspersed real letters with everyday life stuff. It’d have to be faction though as it’s too long ago for me to remember the detail.
September 6, 2016
View in your new place looks pretty good to me. That buyer is a nut,imagine the joy she is going to give the body corporate! New place sounds great, especially the space.
September 6, 2016
That new buyer is a Kiwi Kathryn!!!
And yes, the space is wonderful. If I wore a pedometer I’d have increased my steps markedly just walking from one end of the house to the other!
September 6, 2016
Love your new place! It looks amazing! And I guess the best thing is feeling at home 🙂 If I’m ever out that way, I’ll shamelessly just invite myself over.
I’m dreading having to pack up and move even though I’m not selling my place.
September 6, 2016
I had lots of moves before I owned places and I think they’re as bad if you’ve got furniture and stuff cos you have the landlord replacing the buyer fussing over how you leave a place.
September 6, 2016
I’m really excited for you – it looks so fresh and the view is very nice! I hope you enjoy the extra space (more bookshelves!) and especially the feeling of being ‘at home’. X
September 6, 2016
Yes, it’s wonderful Kathy!
September 6, 2016
PS – I’ve been a very slack blogger of late and have missed lovely comments from you Deb and others. I love your new ‘profile’ pic (or maybe it isn’t so new because I’ve been MIA). So lovely to see your smile.
September 6, 2016
I’ve become increasingly paranoid over recent years Kathy about my not-so-white teeth so haven’t smiled in pics for a long time. This was a very casual and messy pic and I did so without thinking. (And used a filter!)
September 6, 2016
I’m so glad you’re feeling happy there and more settled than at the other place. It looks gorgeous from all the photo’s I’ve seen. 🙂
September 6, 2016
I’m definitely feeling settled Min! Already!
September 6, 2016
Your new place looks awesome, Deb. Even better that it ‘feels’ awesome to you. Ah, Home 🙂
September 6, 2016
Yes Jay, it certainly feels like home!
September 6, 2016
It looks lovely and bright, and really spacious. So glad you’re finally in, and loving it!
September 7, 2016
I love the massive living area Jodi. I spend a lot of time at home, so it’s great!
September 6, 2016
Congratulations, Deb!! That feeling of being home is so important, because that’s the only way we can truly relax when we’re in our house 🙂
I’m happy you have managed the move, and that you love your new place. I look forward to seeing your shelf pictures when you get the shelves and books sorted out.
September 7, 2016
Oh yes, will need to do an ‘after’ picture Lexxie!
September 7, 2016
Your new home looks lovely. The great view from your study could be an inspiration or a distraction!
September 7, 2016
Interestingly there’s a bit of a glare in there Yvonne so I may need to rethink the position of my computer, or close the curtains a little when I’m working!
September 7, 2016
Hello Deb, love love love the views…. some people are never satisfied are they? I’m a person who doesn’t like to make a fuss and get astounded by people who do. Oh well, it’s done now and you are home… always takes a while to settle in but space and esp an office sound marvellous.
September 7, 2016
I’m the same re not making a fuss, particularly over something like this where the cleaning is a nice thing to do but not compulsory.
September 7, 2016
I get panic attacks about moving now. Since I was a college freshman I have had to pack up and move over 20 times. If I sat down and really counted I’m sure it’s more than 25. Ironically, the most unplanned and last minute necessity move when my engagement ended was not as stressful because it was just “get this shit done and moved and out before he’s back.” That move actually surprised me in how quickly it was done with no advance planning. Just day of. (BTW, he broke it off and thought he was going to clean out the apartment, take Baby and leave me saddled with all our debt and the apartment when I was gone for almost a week to bring my brother home from Ft. Benning. Nice guy, huh?)
I love what little you’ve shown of your place! I’m glad it feels like home. My little house feels like home, too, but that may soon be ending.
September 7, 2016
Ugh the end of your engagement sounds horrible! What a traumatic experience, but great you could get out quickly!
I hope you get to stay put now!
September 11, 2016
I’m happy you feel at home, and I’m with you on stressing over each move; I also moved a lot in the past. In one 10-year period, I had moved 14 times, and some of those were big moves from different parts of the state.
Then I settled into staying longer in each place…until the last home lasted 13 years!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and enjoy settling in!
September 11, 2016
Thanks Laurel. I’m really looking forward to spending time there now.
September 12, 2016
I love the new place! It sucks that you went through so much trouble especially with the lady that bought your house. Like, seriously. When I moved, we had to clean the whole house for 3 days because it was so dirty! That’s so normal for the buyer to clean, so it’s weird she was all pissy about it.
September 12, 2016
True. And thankfully that’s all behind me now…. it’s nice to be starting from scratch!
September 12, 2016
Congratulations! I’m so glad you were able to find something!
September 12, 2016
Thanks Allison!
September 14, 2016
Moving and selling is one of the most stressful situations. Go you! I am like you, always leaving it cleaner than before I moved in. Me on the otherhand, always have to spend a day cleaning before I move in. Maybe I have high standards?! hmmm. Love that view, what a sunny lovely spot to be!
September 14, 2016
I probably would have given the place a good vacuum if I’d had time before the removalists arrived Ashlea but sadly there was no time (and my vacuum cleaner was packed!). And yes, I’m very fortunate as it’s a great spot.
September 17, 2016
Moving house is sooo painful but it sure looks like it was worth it 🙂 Cheers to making many new memories in the new space xx
September 18, 2016
Thanks Jo!