by Hope
I thought it was a done deal. Handshake offer. Continued messages for about a week. Plans to go to the bank to provide docs for his loan. More plans to come by and see the house. Lawyer engaged to draw up contract.
And then, a text message, “My son doesn’t want it.” He has a 16 year old son who evidently wanted to be close to “markets”.
Thankfully, I hadn’t let the handshake offer really change anything. Kept it listed. Kept doing the work I had planned to do. And followed some great BAD advice on getting betters pics, changes to the house, etc.
So with new pics and an agreement with a lovely realtor, the house listing will change from FSBO tomorrow to listed by an agent. And I will leave for Texas and not think another thing about the sale of the house…for at least a couple of weeks. (Unless she calls me with an offer, of course.)
I am so relieved.
Sticking to the Plan
This trip to Texas has been planned for several months; although, the dates have been in flux a few times. There are two primary drivers for this particular trip:
- Jake is going to live with Gymnast. After a year and a half in Texas, Gymnast now has his own apartment and is ready for his dog. Both Princess and I are excited to pass off the responsibility to him. And I know Jake will love being with his dad again.
Gymnast and Jake – may be the day we adopted Jake. He has always been Gymnast’s dog.
- I will be helping my dad with my mom’s care and giving him a much needed break. After two and a half years on hospice, the physical, mental, and emotional strain is definitely taking its toll on my family. We love my mom and wouldn’t make any different choice. But 24 hour care is hard. And for an extended and unknown amount of time, well, I’m sure you see the point.
For How Long
There is no timeline now. I made two separate 3 week trips last fall. My responsibilities here in Georgia especially the cost of boarding dogs limited those trips. That is no longer the case.
- Cali’s boarding has been covered by a barter. And if it becomes too long, Princess will get her and care for her until I return. (When this trip was first planned, Princess was going to keep Cali for the entirety of the trip. This just takes some burden off her, while I take Jake off her hands. Cali is her favorite of our dogs.)
- The house will be on the market with a realtor. There is no reason I must return except to do a final clean out once I know the house is sold. I am leaving my bed and a recliner in the house, so if I do return, I can live here for the time needed.
So until the time of either the house selling or Princess graduation in May, there is nothing that requires a specific timeframe for my return to Georgia. I honestly do not think I will stay longer than 3-4 weeks. But it is an option now. All my ducks are in a row.
All of my work is remote. So making money while travelling either car camping or staying at my parents is not a concern.
Hope is a resourceful and solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and tech expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mom of five foster/adoptive children to an empty nester, Hope is navigating the emotional and practical challenges of redefining her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.
Living in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, Hope cherishes the serenity of the mountains over the bustle of the beach. Though her kids are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bittersweet tug of letting go.
Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with a renewed focus and a clear path ahead, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance that she’s brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their own financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.
Every sale is dramatic and nerve wracking, whether by owner or realtor. No matter what you do, there will be hiccups. I’ve seen deals fall through minutes before the closing deadline on the day of closing. For my last closing, banks across the country were having wire transfer issues and we had to push it back a day. The buyers also had to come up with a different lender with only 48 hours to spare. It was insane.
An offer doesn’t count until the deposit is in hand. This is a wild ride and I don’t envy your position. Good luck with the sale.
Hiring a realtor is a good idea. Good luck with the house and your trip.