Home Selling and Buying

Oh my gosh – so much is going on around here! As you know, we have been working to get our house ready to sell. So it was listed and sold in 7 days. We are in escrow but all inspections are done and we are just waiting for the title company to do it’s thing and that sale will be complete.

Ray and I, in front of our new house.

On the other side of the process, we have also bought a house! This is the second house we put an offer on, but as is often said, things work out as they are supposed to. The first house we tried for was beautiful but on a small-ish 1/4 acre lot. The day after we didn’t get that house, we found this other house sitting on 2.3 acres. That is much more our style! It took a lot of back and forth with the seller’s agent but we all came to an agreement. It was a migraine-inducing, nail biting process but it is done, and this house will be ours on April 13th!! One month from now. Woohoo! The best part is the house is 15 minutes from two of my sisters. It is also 1 1/4 hours from my son and his family. The grand kids are excited and we are too! Cannot wait!

Now I want to share something kind of cute with you. When we were getting our house ready to sell, the plants were not in their best form since it is winter time. So I wanted to mark some of the areas for the buyers to let them know what plants they will have.

I went to the hardware store and asked if I could buy some paint stir sticks. The clerk smiled and said I could have them free. So that was very sweet of him. Anyway, I took them and gave them a coat of paint on the top half. Once dry, I used a sharpie to mark the name of various plants I wanted to point out. My printing is usually childlike and very slanted or crooked so I didn’t even try to go for neat and straight. Instead I put the letters all over the place so it might look intentionally off-set.

I did put some clear finish over the plant markers though I honestly don’t know how they will hold up against strong sunlight and the water from the drippers and sprayers. The immediate need was just to mark the plants for the potential buyers touring the property. I did get some nice feedback from realtors saying their clients liked seeing these in the garden. It is hard to leave this piece of property after years and years of developing it.

We have been up in Washington for about 10 days now. While here, we were able to celebrate both grand daughters birthdays. I can hardly believe they are 2 and 5 years old!

A very happy five year old!

After a day of cake and presents, this little girl lost her first tooth. It was truly a fantastic day!

Look at her round cheeks!!

She really enjoyed her birthday and when asked how old she is, she can hold up her two fingers. I have to tell you that her birthday cake came from Costco and it was really good.

We are heading back down to California tomorrow. After we finish packing and give the house a once over for the new owners, we will head back up to Washington. I will share pictures of the house after we get there. It is so fun to think of how we will set things up – of course one of the biggest decisions is where the sewing room will be! Life is changing these days and it is so exciting!

44 thoughts on “Home Selling and Buying

  1. Julie Cefalu

    How exciting for you! I’m a little envious about being close to the grandkids. They are adorable. I have a daughter living in Bothell, just north of Seattle. I love it up there! Enjoy the new adventure.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Julie – Bothell is a lovely area. We actually looked in Snohomish area but didn’t find what we wanted. Can’t wait to make more progress on the move!! I am ready to settle back into routine life again!

      Reply
  2. Sandra B

    Congratulations, Bernie, on selling your current house, and on buying a new one! Exciting times, for sure! Looking forward to following along as you relocate and get settled in your new home!! I know you have a lot of work ahead of you, but it will so worth it to end up nearer to family!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Sandra. We head home to CA tomorrow to finish up the packing. It is really an exciting change for us and we can’t wait – also it has been tons of work so we both look forward to ‘regular’ days again!!

      Reply
  3. Deb E

    I’m so happy for you! It’s such an tedious journey, trying to get little jobs done to list your home, putting things into storage to stage it, and finally to get it on the market…and congratulations on selling within 7 days! Things truly do work out for the best, the house you took the photo of (and the property being over 2 acres) seems very much your style of property. It happened the same for us — but our home took a couple of months to sell (unique property) and we got outbid on several properties before we found this one. In our case it was the same – it was ‘meant to be’ and we are truly glad we got this property, even though the lot & house are a much bigger than we wanted. The funny thing was that the seller ended up selling to us, even though there was another much higher offer, as the neighbors all begged him to sell to ‘someone nice who is a gardener’. All the neighbors have expressed how thrilled they are that we got the house (and we inherited fabulous neighbors). The next stage will be all fun with figuring out where things go and getting used to your new home. So glad you’ll have that much family so close. Being near family is the best!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Yep – sounds like you are very familiar with the process! We are getting close to the other side though. Surely unpacking will be more satisfying than packing! Happy to hear it has worked out well for you!!

      Reply
  4. Kristin

    Congratulations on selling and buying!!! And, welcome to WA state. A tad bit wetter (unless you’re on the east side) than CA.😁

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Oh my gosh Kristin. We are looking forward to dealing with rain – CA has been such a state of heat and drought for at least the past five years. This is a very welcome change. So, where in WA are you? We will be in Port Orchard.

      Reply
      1. Kristin Sykes-David

        We live in Bellingham, but our kids live closer to Seattle area. WA is great! We have lived and had gardens in a lot of western states!

        Reply
        1. Bernie Post author

          Cool – I have been reading about gardening in Western WA and it will be so fun to set things up. Seems the growing season is shorter for some veggies and longer for things like lettuce and green beans – both of which have a short season where we are. We are ready for the adventure!!

          Reply
  5. Beth Stanfield

    So happy and excited for you Bernie. Being closer to family is wonderful. We love our new TN life.
    ( Closer to half our kids; further from the other half. )

    Reply
  6. Janice Smith

    Congratulations on selling your house and being able to move closer to family, especially those adorable little girls!

    That was a terrific idea to label the plants in your garden for the new owners. ;-()

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks Janice – The plant markers were a lot of fun. Now I keep thinking of projects to do with my five year old grand. She does love a crafty project so I look forward to having her around. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Wendy Tuma

    I am so happy for you, that you have that nice acreage, near your sisters and family! What a kind, thoughtful thing to do with the plant markers. When we bought this house, the seller walked me around the lot and pointed out the various flowers. Little did she know I have a lousy green thumb! Still, it was so kind! I cannot wait to hear more – and see more – of your new home! Congratulations!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      The buyers of our house seem like they are into gardening so I am hoping they keep things going? They did tell us they look forward to the artichokes – I suppose if it all dies or withers, we won’t know about it anyway, right? 🙂

      Reply
  8. Roseanne

    Hi Bernie! Another fabulous post – I just LOVE the thoughtful plant markers. I know in no time at all you will be all moved and settled and quilting away. Of course, that quilting will have to be fit around visiting all your newly close peeps! I’ve so excited for you. Good luck on the final signing and safe travels. It will be bittersweet driving away for the last time. {{Hugs}} a bunch. ~smile~ Roseanne

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Oh my gosh – I can’t wait for regular days of puttering in the house – I honestly haven’t spent more than a total of 2 hours at my sewing machine over the past 8 weeks (or more?) Really craving some creative time and some quiet. Also, I guess I will have to find new quilting friends!

      Reply
  9. Laurie Lasala-Tuttle

    Congratulations to both you & your hubby Bernie! So happy you’ll be near family, and I do love your paint stick plant markers. You are always very thoughtful!
    Hugs, Laurie

    Reply
  10. Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl

    Oh wow, Bernie, congratulations! It’s all very exciting to know that things are working out so well. The house on 2.5 acres sounds like it is really meant to be and it will be fun to see you get established and enjoying your time as you settle in there soon.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Yvonne! We had first planned to downsize the size of the house but when we saw this piece of property we liked it a lot. So we will still be in a house too big for two people. But lots of space for gardening – we both look forward to watching what blooms this spring and deciding what else to put in. Take care!

      Reply
  11. Edith Csokmay

    Bernie, I love the paint stirrer labeling for the garden. How sweet of you to do that. I am horrible at remembering plant names. We bought a house on 1.5 acres last summer. I was able to transplant most of my gardens because our former residence became an investment property for the new owner. Now I can label what i jab e and purchase in the future with this adorable idea. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Edith – So glad this is a helpful idea for you! They look so cute – if I had brighter paint colors on hand, I would have used them – It would be fun to have pops of yellow and orange against the green plants. Enjoy labeling your garden!

      Reply
  12. Debbie Miller

    Congratulations on a relatively smooth transition in buying and selling! Love the new house and can’t wait to see pictures as you make it your own. It will be so nice to be closer to your sisters and your grands!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks Debbie. It has actually gone smoothly considering the stories we have heard. Now for a little more packing and then driving back up here to unpack! I will share pictures as we set up the house! Take care, Bernie

      Reply
  13. CathieJ

    Congrats on the home sale and the new purchase. Your new house looks beautiful! I imagine you will be starting a new garden very soon. Your granddaughters are adorable. Happy Birthday to them!

    Reply
  14. Kathleen McCormick

    This is so exciting. I love the paintstick idea for letting the potential and new owners know. I am clueless in the garden and would have loved that in the second house we bought that had a garden. Congratulations!! It really is such great news

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Kathleen! This is a really exciting change for us – and honestly, change is hard for me. But this one is well worth all the work. Now to finish the last bits of packing and get up there!!

      Reply
  15. Cindy

    Congratulations on sale and purchase of houses! Now good luck on the moving process.
    Love your paintstick plant markers; what a great idea!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks a bunch! I am getting very excited about setting up the sewing room. I keep trying to picture how each room will be and what goes into them – this part is a lot more fun than getting ready to sell was!
      Hope you are doing well and spending lots of time with your family!

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Deliriously happy sounds about right. Thank you Carole. We are more than ready to settle into the area and go back to ‘normal’ daily life. The last six months have been so frenetic. I just want to wake up and think, ‘hmmm what do I feel like doing today?’ Know what I mean?

      Reply
  16. Emily

    Congratulations! So glad you found the right place for you in Washington. Love your plant makers, and I’m sure the new owners are glad to some of what they will have from the garden later. That unicorn cake is impressive!!!! Best of luck with your move!

    Reply
  17. Torry

    I am in Tacoma. I hope you love your new home. I hope things will open up enough for you to be able to explore our beautiful state. Leavenworth is worth a trip. I also love Yakima. ( My grandparents lived there when I was growing up and one of my cousins still lives there.)

    Reply
  18. JanineMarie

    I’m so happy that everything’s falling into place for you. What a fun idea to label your plants for the new owners. I’m sure they’ll really appreciate it and all of their discoveries as things pop up. Your new place looks lovely. I hope the move will be stress-free so you can enjoy the adventure.

    Reply
  19. Judy

    Congratulations! I love the idea of the markers. How very thoughtful of you. How the finalization went well and you are settling in in your new home. We’ve been in our home for 34 for years. The thought of moving makes me light-headed. LOL

    Reply

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