I've always loved surprises. I love surprise parties. I love the anticipation of hearing "It's a boy or It's a girl!" from the delivery room. I like to think of myself as being able to adjust to the unexpected and embrace a "change in plans". However, after the latest surprise I think I'm ready to add a disclaimer to that statement.
Two short months ago we sold our home and moved into a rental. Our plan was to downsize, simplify and stay put for the next 6 months while we sought God's direction for our family. Read the story here. When we signed the lease, part of our agreement with the owners was--for a reduction in rent--to allow them to leave the house for sale. No open houses would be required but showing it would be expected. They had been unsuccessful at trying to sell it for the past two years (even had it staged for 4 months) but weren't willing to take the house off the market. We thought it was overpriced for a 1981 split level and assumed most potential buyers would feel the same. However, if they did sell while we were in occupancy, we would have 60 days from the date an offer was accepted to move out.
Four weeks after we settled in I got a phone call from a realtor: "Can I show the house this afternoon at 1:30?" My heart skipped a beat and my stomach did a somersault. I just knew. It was a done deal. I heard nothing for the next three days. Maybe Trey was right. Perhaps I was overreacting. I can get ahead of myself. No news is good news, right? Then I ran into our landlord at the grocery store.
Landlord: "I'm glad I saw you. I wanted to let you know that we have an offer on the house. But don't start packing boxes yet. We've been down this road before and once they do an inspection and we won't fix anything then they go away. I'll keep you posted."
Me: "Uh. OK. Yeah. Just let us know." (freaking out inside, trying to act calm, blood pressure rising)
Another three days pass and I start to think we might be in the clear. My cell phone rings with an unfamiliar number. It's the listing agent. She wanted to call and let me know that the inspection was taking place in the morning and the appraisal would be the following Monday. I started thinking maybe I should get out those boxes I didn't need to start packing. One doesn't order or pay for these services unless one is 99.9% sure one is buying the house. As I sat here watching the inspector I prayed fervently for faulty wiring, excessive mold, anything. The house is almost 30 years old. There had to be something major. Something? No. Nothing.
Again, another three days with no word from anybody when the doorbell rings. It's the owner personally delivering our official 60-day notice.
To be continued......
Posts
2 Responses to “On the move again: Chapter One”
I found your link from Kelly's Korner. Bless your hearts! We just had the EXACT same thing happen to us. We sold. We rented from some friends we knew because they were struggling paying two mortgages after their "old" house didn't sell as quickly as anticipated. The "old" house, that we moved into had been on the market for nearly two years. We also thought that home was overpriced, and in this economy we weren't worried. But after 3 months.....just long enough to unpack and settle in good....the house sold. Things worked out for us in that area. We found a great rental, at the same price. But we are still seeking God's guidance about where/if to buy next. I just hate all this happening to y'all through the holidays! Just remember that God isn't surprised by this. Cling to the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6. I'm praying for you right this moment. Praying for you to find another place soon, for strength and patience to handle this through the holiday season. If there are ways that you would like for me to pray specifically for your family please let me know. I know we don't know each other, but I can't help but think that I didn't click your link by accident! :)
God Bless,
Courtney
Courtney, I would love to reply back to you but can't find your email address on your profile. Thank you for your sweet comments. So encouraging. I plan to write the next chapter post today. It just keeps getting better. God is good!
Post a Comment