I know how to sell a house. Really I do. I've sold two so I must be good at it right? Our first house in Las Vegas sold in a little over two weeks. Our second place in Kaysville sold in ten days with two offers. We looked for two days, made an offer on our current house and were moved out within a month. It was over before it even started. It was great.
So when we decided to put our house on the market again it seemed like old hat. First thing- we got to work. We cleaned the place up, replaced the awful tile countertops with granite and boxed up about half of the kids toys; the kinds that have too many little pieces like barbies and legos and stuff. We scrubbed, polished and organized until we were certain it was picture worthy.
Anyway, after six months the house has still not sold. It's frustrating, but okay at the same time. Our kids are still in their same classes, have their same friends and pretty much have been blessed with an "extension" of sorts. But living in a house that is for sale is tough. I admire all the moms out there who keep a spotless house even with lots of kids. I don't know how they do it. I guess you have to be a take charge, don't mess with me kind of mom, who adores cleaning, to make sure kids beds are always made, clothes are picked up, toys are put away. I'm not great at this. Our house is tidy, but not in model home condition except for the ten minutes before the realtor gets there. I just can't make my kids not live in the house. They make forts, assemble lego skyscrappers and strange k'nex airplane thingamajigers, and spread their plethora of papers and homework out on the table, the counter, the living room floor, and my bed. Then there are the shoes. I don't know how it works, but they are everywhere, and I am constantly tripping over them, or yelling for my kiddos to put them away, or putting them away myself when I give up on it ever getting done. I must have put away ten pairs of shoes the other night. And don't get me started on the coats and jackets. It's crazy. My kids drop their coats the MINUTE they get in the house. In fact there is usually a trail of jackets, backpacks, and shoes all the way down the hall to the kitchen. It's like a strip show. I wonder if I keep the house too hot and my kids can't take it? Maybe they are allergic to the laundry soap? It wouldn't be too bad except you can times this by 5. Even my preschooler has learned to drop her load at the door.
So my point is; the house is still for sale. I have five kids who don't understand what all those hooks in the laundry room are for; don't understand why I insist they take down their multi fort/community center made of every blanket we own in the house, and cry the minute I announce that someone is coming to look at the house tomorrow. I'm barely hanging on while my husband travels the earth and I'm stuck wondering what I am doing wrong until I look out the window and see my dog has gotten out and is barking at a nice family who is attempting to grab a flyer from the for sale sign...hmmm, maybe I've had this all wrong. Bad dog Lady! Bad dog!
By the way, let me know if you are interested in a five bedroom, four bath beauty. :)
