Saying "Good Bye".....
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The "rag balls" have been packed, the lamps stored away & the quilts already taken to the new house......tomorrow is our final "moving day" at last!....We are all excited to get into our "new place", but still a tiny bit sad to say "good-bye" to this house. You see we moved here two & a half years ago, after living back east for a few years. We decided to purchase a home here in Valley Center, a rural area approx. an hour or so north of San Diego. The home prices were reasonable & the developement seemed very nice.....Being more of an "old-house/fixer-up" kind of couple, we decided purchasing a "new" home might be a welcome change!..... & being people who have always lived well-within our means, we ended up choosing one of the medium-priced houses in the neighborhood, thinking this would be a perfect home for our family for many years.
Well since then, we here in California, as in many, many areas of this country have had this "mortgage crisis" hit hard!.....So hard, that our neighborhood now looks somewhat like a "ghost town"..."foreclosures & houses for sale" throughout the developement.....most of which were people who had not put any money down & then faced large balloon payments.
However, now it has effected even families like ours, ones that did make substantial down payments, but now we too are "under water".....owing more than our house is worth! The houses in our area have now dropped to "50%" of what they were 3 years ago!....unbelieveable isn't it?...but all our monthly payments & property taxes remain the same.... We have tried for months to work with the banks, asking for adjustments, etc....but it has fallen on deaf ears, no one calls you back & when they finally do it is just a person taking your information, never to be heard from again?.....
My husband is a real-estate appraiser...He kept saying things were going to get bad in the housing market, that prices here in California would not continue in such an unrealistic rise, but he never dreamed it would ever be this bad!
So after much thought, we have decided to put our house up for sale as well. We know it will be a "short sale", but cannot continue to pour money into a home that is worth 1/2 of what we paid for it...& will most likely NEVER be worth it once was....We are tired of watching our money flushed away!
Not wanting to purchase a new house in a market that is still declining, we have found a wonderful "little house" to rent!.....We are all excited about getting ourselves in a more positve situation!.....So off we go to our new house....a bit sad to say "good bye",... but "energized & looking forward to a new beginning"!..... I'll be sure & keep you posted!!!
38 comments:
Good luck in the move and I truly hope that this move gives you peace of mind and the freedom you seek. It breaks my heart to see what is happening to home prices. We're very fortunate in that our homes are still modestly appreciating in this part of Utah but I'm sure that won't always be the case as it all comes to a head. I look forward to your new posts. Is Holly moving in with you too? I noticed that she has been packing too but maybe she's just helping you with your move. Take care. I love your blog but don't always have time to comment since I check it on breaks at work.
If it makes you feel any better, I'm on the east coast, and moved to my home in 8/07. The house across the steet & 2 houses down were for sale when we moved here, and still haven't sold. I have a new one beside me, and no one ever comes to look at it. It's sad really. I wish you the best with your move.
heidi,
goodluck in moving. i wish you the best. i know this has got to be a difficult time for you and your family.
i dont know how much worse things can possible get.... i see families and houses gone from our small neighborhood all the time. there is no money, no jobs and no end in sight to the crisis.
post when you get settled. i bet you found an adorable place. :)
hugs, kim
It's always sad saying goodbye...whether it's a person, pet, or a favorite thing. This was your home you put much love (and money) into. Embrace your sadness...cry...and then go do something fun in your new little home. Bake something yummy...hang up one of your lovely homemade quilts...light some candles...think about all the new decorating possibilities. Sounds like a lovely new beginning!! (((Heidi)))many hugs!!
My husband and I have begun the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Seminars. Debt free is the only way to be these days, especially for 50-somethings like us. Wishing you good fortune in the future.
Jo
Woo! Good luck with the move!
We had to do this same thing in 2006 under slightly different circumstances ... hubby was unemployed for 2 years and we couldn't afford the payments after refi'ing several times trying to stay above water. We were lucky enough to sell right before the market downturn and are now contemplating when is the right time to get back into home ownership. The prices are certainly coming down ... unfortunately for owners like you. Best of luck for a quick sale, and brighter times ahead.
Good luck in your new home. You and your husband are brave souls to make the move. Many are paralyzed when faced with a situation like yours. A new home and a new beginning with your family along for the adventure - sounds to me like a great plan!!!
I'll be thinking of you and keeping up on the progress via Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly.
Oh, I am so sorry that you have to move. I know some homes here are foreclosing. Home is where the heart is, and I do believe this. You will be happy because you will be together. Good luck. Kathy
Thinking of you my blogger friend and wishing you happy days ahead in your new home. I will also be praying for the perfect buyer for your home...these are challenging times but I know you will overcome! Blessings, Denise
Heidi, good luck to you and your family in your new home. I am sorry that you have had to deal with this hard and not fair economy. So many families are struggling and for some there is just nothing more they can do. You will have a wonderful life in your new home, I just feel it!! Take care!
O my goh- as i sit here watching 60 Minutes discussing such things. You are being smart- Im sorry you are going through this- and I hope your new HOME will be filled with love . Little can often times be better..Good luck my bloggy friend. Cant wait to see the new place.
Best wishes on the move. It must have been a tough decision. I think this whole real estate thing is having such a snowball effect.
Scary times.
Looking forward to hearing all about your new home.
That is a stinky situation, isn't it?? Hope all goes well with your move!!
Elise
Hello Heidi. It is a sad thing to have to say good bye to a home. But I have to say that you inspire me so much with how you are looking at this change in your life. How you are seeing the positive in it. Your new home sounds so lovely, and with your wonderful talent it will be home once again. Good Luck with the move, I can not wait to see your new home and how you decorated it.
Hugs;
Alaura
My husband is a real estate appraiser in Illinois, and we are dealing with the same thing here. He has very little work and we are falling further behind on all our bills. Not sure what we are going to do.
I love visiting your blog and was so sorry to hear of your situation. Always remember 'as one door closes another one opens'. Good luck with the move.
Heidi-
You have such a positive outlook on this! I don't know you, but I'm so happy for you even in this stressful situation. I live in Washington State and lost my job in September as a Escrow Officer due to the whole housing crisis! It's a very sad situation and I'm seeing it effect a lot of people I love, but I just had to tell you that I was so impressed with your attitude! Good luck to you...I keep going with the "everything happens for a reason"...just hoping the "reason" is soon! :)
Moving can be such a bittersweet time. Best of wishes to you!
~Michele
My husband is also an appraiser in Los Angeles and we get to see the destruction first hand.
Enjoy your new home!
it's always sad to leave, but exciting too, good luck and Happy Pink Saturday, Char
This is happening all over the country, and it is just so sad. You have a wonderful attitude about it, so I'm sure it will all work out well for you. Good luck in your new home. laurie
Wishing you all the best with your move. And I'm sure your new home will be lovely especially with your fabulous taste :)
Denise
I'm sure you've made the right decission Heidi! Best wishes on your new home, can't wait to see!
I have followed your blog for sometime and it is lovely. I hope you find that your new little home will be a new joy for you. Please visit me on my new blog. I wish you smiles. Julie
There is always a way to makelemonade out of lemons! We sold our house a few years back, after the 9/11 backlash! We just learned that lesson again when the house we were renting (that was owned by a broker), got forclosed on. So while looking for a new place, a house we have always admired went off the market and available for rent. We rented it within minutes! I wish you happiness in your new home!
Good luck to you, Heidi.
Hugs,
Donna
Good luck Heidi in your new move. I also live in So California and so many houses in my town are vacant. Its really a shame. Hope you find happiness in your new home.
~Ann
Good luck Heidi. I know how you feel. The houses even in Ohio have been hit hard and we will be selling our home at a loss. We hope that we don't have to do a short sale, but we might if nothing happens in a year.
hugs,
rue
Think of this as new page, nothing will make it better but I belive positive things come out of situations like this. I am new follower of your blog from New Zealand and so far the downturn is biting but not as bad as it is in the states. In November I made the desicion to leave my job and unfortunately there is no likely chance of another one. Every day I treat the day as a new page and start a fresh. My thoughts are with you. Jeannette
I am right with you girl!! Just moved in about 12 days ago to our new place. I feel good about it and although it was bittersweet we are making the transition fine and making it "home". I wish you the best of luck and happiness and contentment. God bless you..
I hope your move is going well. The current state of the economy and the housing market is just deplorable, I'm sorry it's affected you like this. I hope it sells soon.
It breaks my heart to read your story! But, I'm so very glad you have found a solution and are happy with it. I've moved twice in the last four months. I'm now in a small rental apartment and I'm going to enjoy it here. ♥
Your story breaks my heart. I know how deeply a home can become a part of who we are...little things here and little things there. My good wishes follow you on the move into your new place. I have a feeling that it will reflect your good style and warmth in no time at all.
Heidi,
I pray that you will find joy and comfort in your new "temporary" home. I'm currently renting an apartment so I understand a little how you feel. I'm hoping to buy a home in the near future, however I'm taking my time and praying about it as I go.
Blessings
Lisa
Sending wishes for a successful move and I know with your designer skills and creativity you will quickly make the new "little" house a true home to love. It is so sad to see this happening to such a huge number of people across the country - here in north Louisiana it isn't quite that bad yet, but never say never! I'm stressing about having the money to remodel our house so it will be "market ready" in a few years when (God willing and the stock market rises) we'll be retiring to build a small home on my husband's family farm land in AR. Until then things are definitely "iffy" in this economy! Blessings to you and yours - lean on your faith in God - how true that only HE is never changing! Hugs, Sharon
Hi Heidi, we live a couple of hours from San Diego and go there often for club soccer with our daughter. We too have been amazed at the houses for sale. We live in the mountains towards Idyllwild (above Palm Springs) and everywhere there are houses for sale. I am glad you are happy with where you are going. I too think if the bank would work with more people...this situation wouldn't be as bad as it is. I wish you the best on your relocating!
blessings,
Debbie
Hi Heidi
I am sorry to hear what has happened with the houses in your neighborhood and I think you are very wise and brave to move. All of us are going to be experiencing a lot of changes in our lives, but my thought is as long as we have good health and family we will be fine.
Hugs, Rhondi
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