Monday, November 24, 2008

Can things get any more hectic?

I'm back, for a few minutes anyway!

Yesterday I received a wonderful message from a fellow full-time RVer and he was right in what he told me.

Don't worry about the market being down and not making as much money on the house as we would have last year. Instead we should celebrate that it sold in 30-days and has fit exactly into our time schedule. She is right on!

We are truly grateful that it sold so fast. In fact, this Sunday, November 30th, we're moving into our new roving home with our two Chihuahuas, Capt. Jack & Jesse James. I'll include a photo of both as soon as Jesse (who looks like a snow cone with his big collar on to keep him from licking his stitches after being neutered) is back to normal. He also had four baby teeth removed but he is taking it like a champ.

Yesterday we rented a uhaul truck and moved stuff out of storage to begin the next phase of our new-life-transition... the estate sale. As I said before, our children took what they wanted from our household items, so now it's time to sell what's left. We are getting really excited now.

IT IS REALLY HAPPENING!

Plus as Bob was cleaning out the attic and the storage shed in the back yard he found about 10 boxes of old tax returns so I'll be doing a lot of shredding... again. I paid my 8-year-old granddaughter, Corynn, to help me last time. I wish she was here now -- I could use her help.

First I have client work I must attend to, then I'll continue on with our preparations. We have our lot in a nearby RV park ready to move into.

For Thanksgiving weekend we'll be getting all the final touchups done on the RV. It needs to be thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Bob has a handy pressure washer so he'll be cleaning the rig from roof to tires while we can hook up to our own water... still. Weather permitting of course.

We've also been busy getting all of the medical check-ups and procedures done so when we hit the road we don't have to tend to these interruptions for a while. Our new life involves starting a new job together (which I'll go into to detail about more later) and we will probably be very busy traveling and learning starting in February.

For this Thanksgiving we truly have much to be thankful for. We are healthy and we have our two precious traveling companions, and we have each other. Life is good.

Till next time,

Vicky & Bob Heron (Capt. Jack & Jesse James)

How to work & live wherever and whenever you choose!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Well that didn't take long...

... the house selling that is. Yes, it is sold. The official phrase is we're "under contract." The offer has been made. Counter offer accepted. The inspection was yesterday and I can't think of anything serious that needs fixin. As I said in my last post, if we'd have done this last spring we'd have made more money.

No matter, we sold our lovely home in 30-days so we're not complaining. If I could give you one very important bit of advice when it comes to selling your house -- it would be to do your homework!

Don't go with the first real estate agent you come across unless you have thoroughly checked them out. Here are some things to look for:
  1. Is their #1 goal to sell your home or to just get your listing (there is a difference).

  2. How long has he/she been selling homes?

  3. What is his/her track record? (Beverly sells 92% of her listings -- and it does not take her long because she markets aggressively)

  4. Does he/she just come out and put a sign in your yard or do they tell you to get out a pencil & paper and give you specific directions on how to get your house "staged" properly so you'll make the most money possible in the shortest time?

  5. Did he/she tell you exactly how to keep the house up while on the market?

So now we have about 1 month to get our estate sale ready. We're moving our rig into an RV Park just down the street on December 1st. We'll stay there until we go to our first job with our new company in February. The nice thing about this job is it's not a regular, full-time job. Bob and I get to work together, part-time, and travel is part of the deal. Win-Win!

As soon as the dust settles around here I'll give you more details... there should not be much dust since I've been thoroughly cleaning 1-2 times a day while waiting for the house to sell.

Waiting to get on the road,

Vicky & Bob Heron (& Capt. Jack)

How to work & live wherever and whenever you choose!

P.S. Our little Chihuahua Capt. Jack is not quite as enthused as we are about this move into the RV. He's taken several short jaunts in it with us and he's unimpressed with this moving house. He's a timid little fellow so we're thinking of getting him a brother or sister. He loves playing with other Chihuahuas and is less timid when he has someone to play with. I'll keep you posted on this development...