When did we actually decide that this was the right move for us? It was still tentative in December although we agreed it was a great two weeks being near our children and grandchildren. We also agreed that the two apartment complexes we saw were possibilities for us.
We met with Faith Fleming to talk about selling the house and before we knew it, we decided to put our house on the market. We were tired of the responsibilities of home ownership. The last few years had involved expensive landscaping, purchase of a new furnace and air conditioner, and the need for Orkin to keep critters from sharing our space.
In preparation for selling we called a handyman to fix up the place. R.V. and his crew came almost immediately and worked for a day and a half to paint, put on curtain rods, install the new microwave door, put up fencing under the deck, put foam under the siding, and replace basement ceiling panels, among other things. They were very efficient and worth the expense.
The house went on the market Saturday, March 16 , and our first showing was the next day. By Monday we had a request not to accept any other offers until these buyers could make their offer after getting an initial loan approval. We had two other showings scheduled--not a lot really--but we had a written offer for the asking price by March 20.
The inspections went well although we do have to do radon treatment. There was an issue with the roof by a dubious inspector but that was easily settled.
However, finding a place in Princeton was more problematic. With purging we became aware of how much stuff we had. Getting a 3 bedroom apartment seemed wisest but there were none available at the two places we looked at in December. There were plenty of places on the "other" side of Route One but that meant coping with traffic congestion especially with the one year closing of Alexander, a major cross street.
Jeff and Susan were very helpful in recommending Barclay Square and taking a look at the area. A spacious 3 bedroom second floor apartment with a heated garage was coming available on July 13. We applied online and with some difficulty in getting our 2018 tax returns early, we were accepted. We signed the lease last week after taking a tour of the complex. It looks very, very nice to us--even luxurious and spacious.
Were we going to be "homeless" for six weeks? We were relieved to find an Airbnb near Notre Dame for at a good rate. With the senior open golf tournament in town, even the Fairfield Inn was going for over $400 a night.
It is hard for Jim to leave Notre Dame although office space was not guaranteed for him each year. But two wonderful professional opportunities have come through for him. On the day that we signed the contract with the buyer, he got an invitation to be President of the Society of Biblical Literature in 2021. This is a very nice honor in his profession. And then last week Martha Himmelfarb, a colleague at Princeton, arranged for Jim to have library privileges for at least one year at Princeton University, a bonus worth $800 a year.
What keeps me awake at night is thinking how to get rid of everything in this house. The basement is full of furniture--some even left from the previous owner. We will not have space for our living room furniture or the three season room furniture.
Monday night the buyers came over with their six sons and their in-laws. They are very happy to be buying our house and that made me very happy too. They are willing to take anything we leave behind. They can have everything that is in the basement, including the ping pong table which was their first request in the contract! They will take all the beds with one exception and they will make us an offer on the better and newer furniture in the living room and three season room. What a relief that is to me! We can even leave some toys for the boys, including the Rubik's cube that fascinated their oldest son with its authenticity.
There is still much to do. I opened two cabinet doors today and they were not empty as I had thought! More stuff that should have gone to Laura last week and didn't. We have to decide on movers but will get two estimates this week. I don't know what will come of my gall bladder tests but I have had no symptoms for 2 1/2 weeks so maybe nothing will need to be done. I hope so.We are very grateful that although there are still many uncertainties, so much has fallen in place easily. I have been thinking that we have prayed about this process and from what we know of the buyers, I am sure they have prayed about it as well.
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