3 houses 1 year

Christopher and I have been involved with the sale of 3 houses in the last year. Not a damn one of them has gone smoothly.

First was Christopher's father's rental property in Cincinnati. Chris had been managing the property for his dad and took on the power of attorney when it was time to sell the property. The buyer's realtor had a heart attack and died on his way to the closing. We were delayed a few day.

Second we sold Christopher's house. It was on the market the first time for six plus months with no offer. No offer on a house in a great school district, new air conditioning and a finished basement. We took the house of the market in late October, I just did not want to have to move the weekend of our wedding. Granted we had not offers and all of our guests would have just had to carry one thing out to the truck.

At the beginning of the year Christopher's house went back on the market and in 2 weeks we had an offer. Something happened, I don't even know what but we were delayed for about 2 weeks after the originally scheduled closing.

Third, my house. It went on the market in December of last year. The house is a 2 family in a questionable neighborhood and still needs some repairs. The price was eventually dropped to $1,000 over what I paid.

Now, I did not just live in this house. I did some work. Well I should say my Dad, Chuck and Christopher did some work. I refinished the wood floors on the 1st floor. (I actually did do that myself.) New carpet upstairs, fixed some plumbing issues, New floors in both kitchens, beautiful brand new cabinets on the first floor. Interior and exterior of the house were painted. New awning on the 2nd floor porch. New light switches, shelving in the basement.

Because of the fucking market, I am getting screwed on price. No return for all that we have done in the house.

In July we got an offer on the house. I bled a little more to make the deal. We were to close on the 25 of August. I moved to Memphis on the 26th. But, the buyer's loan program dried up- no money for the buyer- more house payments for me. We then agreed to the 25th of September. Yesterday we found out the buyer has some issue and the loan again is not going to be made. Another house payment for me.

Christopher and I have been stressing and struggling with the thought of maintaining the house while it sits empty. You have to have the gas and electric on to show the house, someone has to maintain the yard, change light bulbs and make sure nothing gets vandalized.

Yes, we could rent the apartments. No, we do not want to be long distant landlords. I did not do to well as a landlord when I lived in the house, imagine being 7.5 hours away. It costs about 10% of the rent to have someone property manage a building.

We have been looking forward to not dealing with the sale and stress of selling a house. We are hoping it will end soon.

Anyone want to buy a house?