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Showing posts with label selling house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label selling house. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

The Waiting Game is OVER!!

I have not wanted to write any posts until we knew things for sure. We were waiting for the final mortgage commitment from our buyers for our house from their bank. It's been touch and go for a while, but after 45 days we now have our answer!

Yes, our buyers' loan went through and they are able to buy our house successfully next Friday. As soon as we get the money in our hot little hands, we are buying the house up in Oconto that we have chosen. (actually they wire it for us)


In the meantime we've been keeping ourselves busy packing and more packing and more packing....

We rented two large storage units closer to Oconto to where we are moving.  It made sense to move a bit at a time, rather than all at once. Us old folks get tired out fast, and trying to cram it all into one big moving day is not to our liking.

For the largest load of all the heavy boxes and many small boxes and delicate items, we decided to rent a U-Haul truck. For one day use plus mileage, it came to about $160 but it sure was worth it to get all of this little stuff up there in one load!!



Look how much space we have to fill with our stuff!!!



This stuff all fit in, plus all of my quilting frame pieces and supplies.  We sure had a lot of totes and boxes, and most of it was my fiber stuff!  ack!!!!



We loaded and loaded and loaded boxes and once they were all in....  then Steve added any of the garage stuff that was loose and awkward like saw horses, lawn mower and garden equipment.



That made it up there safe and sound... and we unloaded during a sleety icy storm.  Ick!   But we got it done in a few hours and we returned the truck 5 minutes before the deadline at the local Uhaul place. Whew!

Since then, we have been hauling a load at a time on our little trailer behind our tiny Geo Tracker. It cannot take a lot of weight so we've been selecting each load and what to put on the trailer each time.

We have done nine smaller loads, each time carefully strapping everything down and binding it up for the journey of seventy miles up to the storage units.

ONE


TWO


THREE


 FOUR


 FIVE


 SIX


SEVEN


EIGHT 


 NINE
(I was so busy I didn't get a pic while this last load was on the trailer, 
but it's all crammed in tight now to the storage unit) 


My 4 harness and 8 harness delicate table looms 
each rode on a separate trip in the safety of rear of the Tracker.



In all of the nine trips, we only had one mishap. It was trip number 4. I had wrapped our big couch cushions and matching pillows in heavy duty plastic bags. Although the weather was nice I thought it would just protect them from anything during the journey. Steve strapped all four plastic bags down securely on top of the other furniture as we traveled.


About eight miles from home, we stopped at a intersection and pulled to the side in a small parking lot to check the load each time. Steve got back into the Tracker, after checking the load, and said one strap was loose. Then he asked me: "Didn't we have four bags of cushions and pillows?" He only saw three bags and a loose strap???

 RUT ROH!!!

Time to backtrack!!!

We only had to go back 6 miles before we found our couch cushion and matching pillow lying perfectly nice and dry in the ditch on dried grasses. The plastic bag was nowhere to be seen. Obviously the cushion must have squirted out from under the strap with the aid of a plastic covering that made it slippery.



We were so lucky that it didn't land in a snowy or muddy or swampy area .... of which the ditches were really bad within a mile or so of this section of road.



We rearranged things and decided to cram the cushions inside of the Tracker, and let the dogs sit on top of them instead. As you can tell by this picture, they were not too happy about it.



As of this weekend, we have everything packed and organized in both storage units, of which both are filled to the max.



The only thing left in the house is our bed, our two chairs, and the TV and our laptops.  We set our lawn chairs out in the front porch for the last few weeks.

Everything feels so empty.
Lonely. 

We also have a few house plants and three long window boxes full of my precious coleus that I winter over every year. These will be the last things to leave the house because the temperature is too cold outside for them yet.


We are staying inside the house for now, even though we do have the comforts of the motorhome right outside in the back yard.

Because in the house we have access to unlimited supply of water and shower and washer / dryer facilities, as well as my soaking bathtub. We also have the internet within the house, but the signal does not reach to the motorhome. We still have cooking utensils and dishes in the house as well as our food for cooking.

We are still having some freezing nights here so we are not ready to dewinterize the motor home yet so we don't have any running water with in the motorhome. That would mean we would have to go back and forth through the yard to get into the house to use the facilities. Middle of the night potty trips through the yard in my jammies does not appeal to me.

But for the last few days of home occupancy, we will move into the comfort of the motorhome and have our internet in the house disconnected.   Then we can give the house a last final slap dash lick and polish for the new owners!

Steve said for the last few nights we can run a small heater in the lower storage bays of the motorhome if we do decide to dewinterize it.

For now, we are comfortable in the nearly empty house, and living the minimalist lifestyle.

Every day we have been 
telling the dogs this story. 

They listen so intently 
and they wonder what's going on.




As for the house we are buying in Oconto, I don't want to jinx anything by talking too much about it.

It will be full of fun projects for us to work on, but all the main expensive stuff has already been updated: new roof, new furnace, new water heater, new air conditioning, new kitchen appliances, and all newly refinished hardwood floors throughout the whole home. But best of all, there is a brand new huge garage for Steve. Two stalls wide by two stalls deep, plus an RV parking pad already in place for our motorhome.

I am not saying it's better than we have now, nor worse, just different and full of great possibilities and adds to the enjoyment of being nearer to ALL of our grandchildren.  Even the two in Green Bay will be closer, because it's a few miles shorter, and a much faster route to get there than from where we live now.  So ALL of the children will benefit by having us closer.  As well as Steve and I will be benefiting from having them close to help US as we age. (and watch over our house while we travel in the motorhome).

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Whew.. a productive Open House Day!

Our day started out with a last quick slap dash polish on the house...   Our Open House was scheduled for noon to 4pm, and we needed to get things picked up and made neat and clean.   I was a realtor for 9 years, so I knew the drill.   Soon all the lights were on, the house smelled great, and soft music playing in the background.

Steve hauled some things out to the motorhome, like our dogs, their dog dishes, all our computer stuff and medicines ... (ya never leave medications or valuables laying about during an Open House)  and his big ole jar of change!  LOL  

We then moved the motorhome and the Tracker over to the neighbor's driveway.  He was out of town for the weekend and offered to let us park it there.  No sense letting prospective buyers think we are big whigs or richy rich folks with a huge motorhome, right?  (even if it IS a 16 year old motorhome, it looks kinda impressive)

About 10 am we were ready and had most everything set.  I had mopped all the tile floors and Steve vacced the carpeting.  The kitchen was cleared of anything excess on the countertops and the loom room was as reasonably organized as it has been in years.  All personal photos were taken down and only a few tasteful paintings and prints adorned those spaces.

For the outside, I had purchased some floral baskets that I set in scooped out sections of the flower beds where I normally space clumps of coleus plants among the hostas that are just poking up.  We have been having some frost the last few mornings and below 30 degree temps, so we need to pick the baskets back up and carry them into the garage each night.  It does look nice though, as if I had the magic touch and got some lovely flowers to grow at this time of year in Wisconsin!  LOL   I also added a bunch of geraniums to the big pot near the door as a friendly greeting with a red blaze of color.  Another planter full of geraniums for out on the deck under the gazebo added a dash of color too.

Can you imagine I was sooo  busy that I didn't even take the time to snap some pictures???

Steve put up the Open House signs to help guide in the people to our home from the highway and the county road on the other side.  We had ads in two of the local papers, on Zillow and Craigslist, and also some notices left on local bulletin boards in town.   About 20 flyers were taken from our tube out front during the last week or so, a few each day, with notices of the upcoming Open Houses attached too.

The weather was chilly and cold and windy, but we did get three people  to come to the Open House.  One looks quite promising, but I don't want to say a thing to jinx it.

At 4pm we moved the motorhome back to our own yard, let out the dogs, and came into the motorhome to cook supper and spend the night.  Who wants to stay in the house when it's in tip top perfect shape???

Besides, we took down the ugly antenna we have on the deck for recieving broadcast television signals, so we don't have any tv reception in the house for tonight.  All of our neighbors have dish tv.   But we really don't watch that much to justify the cost.  Thus we put up an ugly antenna.  We even have to go out and rotate it by hand a bit if we want to get in channel 26.  Haha.   So Steve took it down to make our deck look a lot nicer.

But in the motorhome we do have an antenna.  Tonight is the Michael Orr movie on ABC called "The Blind Side" which we never saw when it was in the theaters.  We don't go to many movies, they are 30-40 miles away to go to a movie.

So in order to watch the movie, we have to stay out in the rig anyhow.   Heh heh any excuse to spend a night in our rig!   I am looking forward to waking up in our rig, and perking a pot of coffee, and maybe baking up some muffins.  Even if we are only in our own driveway!!!

Tomorrow is the same drill again, from noon till 4pm.


Now for the part of the blog that deals with gushy grandkids!  ----

On Thursday I had the chance to babysit for little Clayton for a few hours.   His daddy had Lasik surgery, so his Mommy had to drive him home.  What a lucky Granmuddah I was to get him at only 3 weeks old!

Had to take a few pics, of course....





They came and stole him away, but I got the chance then to pick up active boisterous Chelsea from her daycare at 4pm to give them a restful break in the evening for Mark to recuperate.  We kept her occupied.
She helped me spread new red lava rock in the flower beds, and she also inspected the new coating of deck stain I rolled earlier in the afternoon.  Good job, Grandmuddah!




On Friday, I was invited to come back to the day care for a special pancake breakfast!   Her little room of 6 children had set up a table for Granmuddahs like me!   Sad to see I was the only Granmuddah out of 6 kids who have invited theirs.  But that was okay, there was plenty of me to go around, and they all tried to sit on my lap during story time, and all gave me hugs and kisses when it was time to go.  Awwwww

And when they were all done eating, each child is given a cloth to help clean up! 

How cute is that? 



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

This is it! The HOME IS ON THE MARKET!

Yessir...
The sign is up!
The brochures are printed!
Print Ads (with photo) are placed in 2 local newspapers
Listed on Zillow
Listed on Craigslist
and we are holding 2 open house weekends the 28-29 and again on the 5-6


Anyone wanna buy a house?


 | (920) 328-4606

3985 N River Rd, Oconto, WI

3BR/2.0BA Single Family
offered at $179,900
Year Built1997
Sq Footage1,894
Bedrooms3
Bathrooms2.0
Floors3
ParkingGarage - Detached
Lot Size45,302 sq ft

description

Custom built three level home nestled on the banks of the Oconto River. Half log exterior, 2x6 wall construction, tongue-n-groove pine interior. 

Located on a quiet country road, with wildlife and natural rural surroundings. Expansive views from all three levels overlook the calm waters of the Oconto River. 

Two sets of patio doors lead to the wrap-around decks, located on 3 sides of the home. Southern exposure lets you enjoy all four seasons of the year. 

Massive 18 foot cathedral ceiling, finished in knotty pine, encompassing the great room and dining area. Detailed construction features throughout, further enhanced with ceramic tile in the kitchen, dining area and Master Bath. 

Hickory kitchen cabinetry highlights over 60 sq ft of countertop space is a cook, baker or canning person?s delight! Open Concept Design with a snack bar and desk area nearby. All appliances are included, even the washer & dryer. 

Elegant corner whirlpool tub in the tiled Master Bath, and separate shower stall. Handy attached walk-in closet with abundance of space. The first floor laundry is cleverly hidden behind mirrored bi-fold doors in the Master bath. 

Custom built open staircase of logs lead up to the Master Bedroom Loft, a generous 400+ sq ft retreat. Loft overlooks the Great Room and a diamond shaped window. Tongue-n-groove pine cathedral ceilings extend into the loft area. 

Lower level walk-out design has two sets of patio doors leading out into the natural woods of the 1.04 acre lot. The lower level had originally been two bedrooms, but currently is converted into a large studio room. Usable as a Family Room or could be reversed back into two bedrooms. 

Newly painted full bath in the lower level with shower over tub. Versatile office/sewingroom is also in the lower level. 

Additional storage and built-in shelves for the mechanical room. 

Energy efficient 24 inch ceiling insulation and 8 inch thick walls give considerable heat savings. In addition to the propane furnace, the supplemental heat from the cozy woodburning fireplace with fan insert for added heating benefit. Bulk tank supplies propane for heat, cooking & dryer. 

Private well, septic (mound system), and water conditioning systems installed. 

Two+ stall detached garage with insulated finished workshop, 22x11, perfect for the hobby lover.
HALF LOG HOME ON WATERFRONT RIVER, 2+ CAR GARAGE WITH WORKSHOP
see additional photos below

property features

  • - Fireplace
  • - Waterfront
  • - Ceiling fans



  • - Deck
  • - Double pane / Storm windows
  • - Jetted tub




  • - Lawn
  • - Porch
  • - Patio




  • - Vaulted Ceilings

additional photos

KNOTTY PINE TONGUE N GROOVE INTERIOR
KNOTTY PINE TONGUE N GROOVE INTERIOR
18 FT HIGH CATHEDRAL CEILINGS - WOODBURNING FIREPLACE
18 FT HIGH CATHEDRAL CEILINGS - WOODBURNING FIREPLACE
CUSTOM LOG OPEN STAIRCASE
CUSTOM LOG OPEN STAIRCASE
LARGE KITCHEN WITH HICKORY CABINETS
LARGE KITCHEN WITH HICKORY CABINETS
ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDED, EVEN THE WASHER AND DRYER
ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDED, EVEN THE WASHER AND DRYER
LOFT MASTER BEDROOM
LOFT MASTER BEDROOM
MASTER BATH WITH WHIRLPOOL, AND SEPARATE SHOWER STALL
MASTER BATH WITH WHIRLPOOL, AND SEPARATE SHOWER STALL
OPEN CONCEPT DESIGN - RICH KNOTTY PINE WOOD
OPEN CONCEPT DESIGN - RICH KNOTTY PINE WOOD
STUDIO AREA (was 2 bedrooms, could be converted back)
STUDIO AREA (was 2 bedrooms, could be converted back)
OFFICE/SEWING ROOM AND ANOTHER FULL BATH
OFFICE/SEWING ROOM AND ANOTHER FULL BATH
3 LEVELS ALL LOOK OUT OVER THE RIVER  - WRAPAROUND DECKS ON 3 SIDES OF THE HOM
3 LEVELS ALL LOOK OUT OVER THE RIVER - WRAPAROUND DECKS ON 3 SIDES OF THE HOM
CHECK OUT THE ADORABLE SHUTTERS WITH PINE TREE CUTOUTS
CHECK OUT THE ADORABLE SHUTTERS WITH PINE TREE CUTOUTS
WRAPAROUND DECK OVERLOOKING THE WOODS AND RIVER TO THE SOUTH
WRAPAROUND DECK OVERLOOKING THE WOODS AND RIVER TO THE SOUTH
AERIAL VIEW OF THE 1.04 ACRE LOT
AERIAL VIEW OF THE 1.04 ACRE LOT
QUIET PEACEFUL OCONTO RIVER WITH FISH AND WILDLIFE RIGHT IN THE BACK YARD!
QUIET PEACEFUL OCONTO RIVER WITH FISH AND WILDLIFE RIGHT IN THE BACK YARD!
MAIN FLOOR
MAIN FLOOR
LOWER LEVEL WALK OUT
LOWER LEVEL WALK OUT
MASTER BEDROOM LOFT
MASTER BEDROOM LOFT

Contact info:

(920) 328-4606
Equal Opportunity HousingEqual Opportunity Housing