Last updated on July 1st, 2016 at 04:21 pm
Throughout this journey that is our South America travel dream, there have been things that have been way harder to accomplish than expected and things that have been way easier. Selling our home was definitely one of the harder things.
YES, we sold our house!!!!!
After 2 years and 4 months on the market on November 12, 2013 we were finally free from the noose that was preventing us from getting on the road.
And I am just writing about it now?????
I think I am in shock that the house and all of the bills that went along with it are finally gone!
The deal came together very quickly, we jumped through hoops we never thought we would and accepted a price $175000 less than what we originally listed for.
So as I said, a lot harder than we thought.
Our travel budget is A LOT smaller than originally planned, but the travel will commence regardless. I believe sometimes you just have to change and change we have, ourselves and our travel plans.
On the flip side, it was a lot easier to finally say goodbye to the house we once loved so much. In the beginning, I worried selling it would be so hard I might not be able to let it go or Makai would be traumatized having to leave the only home he’s known. But after 2 long years and 4 even longer months hardly a tear was shed. A feeling of relief is ultimately what remained. It was a lot easier than I thought to lock the door and drive away, not looking back.
Getting our house sold ended up being harder than we ever imagined and one thing ended up going a lot better, easier than I thought possible.
Living with Rob’s parents.
When we first left our house July 1st 2012, to work our home business and then leave on our adventure in the fall or early spring 2013 we were a bit anxious about having to invade Mom and Dad’s home. To live together longer than any visit we ever had, harmoniously. Then the house didn’t sell and we never left Mom and Dad’s. We thought we would stay with them for 6 months, max. It’s been 1 year 5 months now and I feel it will be a lot harder to leave their home than it was to leave mine.
Strangely, I am kind of glad the process was hard and long ( I do mean “Kind of”). Things definitely didn’t go like we thought they would, but we didn’t give up on the goal. We had to change and adapt ourselves and our finances, good practice for how it will be on the road. Rob and I both came out of it with a few grey hairs and some changed perspectives, but we are here, here with the house sold, a year and a bit later than we had planned for, but in the same place none the less. Here are some of the lessons from this house selling nightmare:
- Do some serious market research in your city and area of town before listing your house. Do not use your neighbors list price as your only guide. Be realistic, you may think your home is the best that doesn’t mean potential buyers will. Compare apples to apples and be honest with yourself.
- If hiring an agent try to get personal referrals from friends, family or co- workers. Interview a few (or a bunch of) agents and trust your instincts, if you don’t believe what the agents telling you how is that agent going gain the trust of potential buyers and get your house sold? Not very effectively, believe me.
- Be prepared to adjust your price if needed. Again stay up to date on the market research.
- And finally, maybe it’s just not the right time to sell. Explore your options: Could you rent your place? Pull your listing off the market and re list in a more favorable season? Do a small renovation make your place more attractive to buyers? Try to consider all options.
It’s been a long road with many twists and turns, switchbacks and dead ends, but we made it and are finally free at last! We have a lot less money but a lot more resolve and love and understanding for our family.
When I think back on the past 2 and a bit years I remember just before we left our home in Cranbrook to move to Calgary, the uncertainty and fear I felt. I can still hear Robs words “I thought you wanted to do this??”. He was scared too.
I remember all of the laughter and encouraging words, the tears, the fights, all of the amazing people we had the pleasure of meeting through this process. We physically have so much less, but I feel because of this time waiting we have so much more somehow. It’s been an intense process, transforming, terrifying, challenging. Free at last but it’s been the most fulfilling time in my life.
jen
HI,
Ran across your site and had to drop a line and say hello. My husband and I just recently also sold our house and hit the road. Currently in Medellin, Colombia. Our site is http://www.venturists.net Good luck on your travels!
Jen
Tracey
Thanks Jen. We are thinking about visiting Medellin or around Medellin. Maybe we will cross paths, it would be great to meet you guys. Luck to you too.
Hitch-Hikers Handbook
Congratulations! 🙂 Fascinating blog, guys! Thanks for connecting with us on Twitter! Keep up the great work and travel safe!
Tracey
Thanks so much. Glad to make the connection:)
Annie
Congratulations!! That’s such a big step! When we sold my home to move abroad, it felt much more real and freeing!
Tracey
Thanks Annie. I am so glad that chapter of our adventure is over:)
Melissa
So exciting for you guys!! I may have been a bit misty eyed reading some of this. Selling a home is emotional to say the least. Your dream is so much closer to becoming reality!!!
Tracey
Thanks Melissa. You more than anyone know the most about the big decisions Rob and I have made and the huge changes those decisions brought about in our lives in the last 10 years:) Thank you so much for always being so supportive and well, excited about what ever adventure our family decides to pursue. You are an amazing friend:)
Patti
What a milestone in the big picture. I am so excited for you and I look forward to following your journey.
Tracey
Thanks so much Patti. You are one of our friends who knows how long and tough this battle was. 4 Months ago Rob and I were feeling pretty weary in the struggle to sell the house but now our energy is restored. I now feel sleep deprived in a different way, we have a lot to finish up before we leave:) Feels so good though, kind of like Christmas morning everyday now, tired but so excited for what’s coming.
Patti
Embracing change and holding on until it happens can try our patience but good for you for believing in your dreams and for following through. Now comes the next chapter in your lives and figuring out how to make it all work. I’m sure there will be ups and downs and bumps along the way, but fantastically exciting at the same time! How exciting!
Amy @Worldschooladventures
Wow, I am so happy for you guys!!!! I remember the day our house finally sold after almost two years on the market. Such an amazing, full of excitement, on the brink of something new, feeling!!! Good for you for sticking to you dreams, even when things got rough! And I can commiserate with living with parents….that is where we are right now. Amazing how life makes its own plans for you 🙂
Tracey
Thanks Amy! We are so glad that part of our journey is over. At this point, I never want to own property again:) It sounds like things are coming together for you guys too, congrats are in order for your family as well! I feel so happy for our Mom and Dad, they will have their space and peace and quiet back soon.
Dana
Yeay! So glad that your house finally sold – I can’t wait to see what adventures are coming your way in 2014 🙂
Tracey
Thanks Dana! I still can’t quite believe it. Our travel plans are coming together quickly! Some big announcements to come soon:)