So, the deed is done. Today I signed the sales contract. The handover will be around christmas.
It's been a busy, stressfull time, which began when we emailed a realtor. That was on a friday in september. He got back to us the following monday and set up a meeting for the next day, where he explained to us about the whole process. After that things started rolling fast. Arrangements were made for the appraisor to come a week later, and two days after that the photographer came to take pictures of the house. Meanwhile we got busy taking down photographs, getting rid of clutter, and thoroughly cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. The week after the photographer had been theeree, the first advertisements appeared on the internet, in the local newspapers, and on the realters webb site. Simultaneously a "for sale" sign appeared on the wall.
For the next two weeks a string of cars would drive slowly by, while their occupants peered down the driveway. A steady dribble of people came to look the place over, most by appointment, though the occasional one just dropped in unannouced. Meantime, we had to keep the house clean, and tidy. On the day of the official viewing husband took the dogs for a long walk for the hour that the showing lasted. It was total chaos: at least 15 cars came with people who were interested in looking at the property. Even some neighbors came under the pretence of looking for a place for their son, though I suspect curiosity was the chief motivator. 2 of the couples seemed genuinly interested. Of these one was a woman from California and her Norwegian husband. We hit it off very well. After the showing the suspence began. Altogether 20-some people had been to look at the property. Were any of them interested enough to make us an offer?
The appraiser had valued the property at 1.28 million NOK. The realtor had set the price at 1.3 mill. I worried that that would be a bit high. It is a lovely property, but the house is old and, though structurally sound, it is run down. I had decided to accept any offer of at least one million. A couple more people came to view the house in the next 2 days, and one of these gave us an offer. The woman from california topped this offer, and after about 36 hours of the two offering against each other, we closed at 1.45 million with the first person to put in the offer. He turns out to be a local vet. The same, in fact, who stitched up Lucy when Topsy tore up her leg 2 years ago.
How do I feel about selling, now that it is a done deal? A little scared. What if the new place doesn't work out? What will I do with all that money? What if it is not enouph for a vacation home...
