Help the Homeless?
Well, it’s official:
I’m homeless.
Those of you who’ve been around since last summer probably remember my house-selling woes. Yes, we were among the poor, unlucky slobs who tried to sell a house during this horrific housing slump…which is bad everywhere, but especially bad in Florida.
BUT…16 months later…we’ve finally sold! 
I honestly never imagined how awful this slump was going to be. When we listed our house in December 05, it was valued at quite a bit more than we owed on it. Today, these many months later, we’re walking out without a penny…and, in fact, having to bring money to closing. But honestly, it’s worth it. I fear things are going to get worse before they get better, and I just can’t stand living with this uncertainty and confusion anymore.
I am fortunate enough to have an amazing family, and my two sisters in Maryland have opened their doors and homes and families to us, so we were lucky enough to not have double housing expenses. And honestly, in some ways it’s been like a big slumber party…I have loved spending so much time with them. But I am ready to be in my own home again. I’m ready to see the china I packed up and put in storage in anticipation for our move in the summer of 2005. Ready to unpack my own Christmas decorations and Halloween stuff. Ready to give my poor youngest daughter all her toys back…now that she’s no longer interested in Barbies & Bratz. (I sense a yard sign will be among the first things we do whenever we get into our own house!)
It’s been a very long road. Seeing the light at the end of this tunnel has breathed new life into all of us, and I am greatly looking forward to house-hunting for a new place up here in MD. In the meantime, as you read this, today, I’ll be busting butt with Bruce and the girls and more members of my amazing family, packing up all the rest of our stuff and preparing to say goodbye to Florida for good.
After 15 years, I am a little sad.
But then I read the hurricane predictions for this coming season…and things don’t look so bad. 
Anybody else out there hit with this mess? If so, I wish you all the luck in the world!
The Plotmonkeys are THRILLED to have romance super-star, Julia London, guest blogging TOMORROW! Please make sure to make her feel welcome!
Yay on selling Leslie! What a huge relief that must be. It hasn’t happened to me, but I’ve heard the same situation has happened to other people - usually involving a move due to their job and needing to sell immediately, and ending up with less money because of the rush. I sympathize with anyone in that situation. I’m glad everything worked out for you and your family.
Comment by Stacy ~ — April 9, 2007 @ 6:17 am
Packing and unpacking is the worst, isn’t it?
I moved 9 years ago when I remarried. I packed up 20 years worth of stuff and moved it only 150 miles away.
I am still trying to unpack.
I envy you moving into an empty place. I moved into hubby’s house-which his parents owned first, and then, he and his late wife lived here. With all 4 kids once he was out of the Army.
I have to contend with all the pre- us crap. I weed out, I move things around. Kids don’t want it anymore? I trash it.
Almost 10 years, and I still have unpacked boxes.
But no mortgage.
Have fun!!!
Comment by ev — April 9, 2007 @ 7:18 am
Oh Les, Hurray at last!
You’re so lucky to have your family. I can’t say I’ve been there b/c I’ve been in this house for 10 years but I went through it with you and I am so happy! Here’s to better luck in finding your own home! 
Comment by Carly — April 9, 2007 @ 7:49 am
Oh, Leslie! I’m so relieved for you. Please indulge in celebratory cake and champagne. Best wished for the smoothest of closings.
Whew!
Comment by Heather Harper — April 9, 2007 @ 7:56 am
Les, I can’t say that I’ve been there–we’ve been in our house for the past 14 years–but I know finally making that sale has to be a big relief. Congratulations! Much luck and good fortune on finding your new nest!
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — April 9, 2007 @ 8:06 am
Comment by Yolanda — April 9, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Congrats on the sale
I’m praying that it’s much easier to find your new home then it was to sell this one. If your going to still be here (Florida) by Saturday packing up the last of everything we’d love it big time if you came by the TARA meeting. Of course I’m sure that you’ll be so busy and tired but still…we’d love to see you 
Comment by Vicki — April 9, 2007 @ 8:14 am
I’m so happy for you I’ve been there
when I moved to fl from wisconsin
yahoo for you guys and I know how you feel
good luck
CONGULATIONS
Comment by Sue — April 9, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Congrats Leslie!
Comment by Kelly F. — April 9, 2007 @ 8:38 am
Congrats on the sale Leslie!!! I don’t really know exactly what you are dealing with since I rent, but did see my sister and her family have to deal with a little of this when they sold their first home while moving into their next home. They did have a couple of months of over lap with two houses while they waited for the closing. After that sale, her husband has done the for sale by owner and sold their homes much faster.
Comment by Liza — April 9, 2007 @ 9:04 am
Congratulations, Leslie! Now you get to be on the buyer’s end and have some fun. I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Comment by Lori Borrill — April 9, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Leslie, my Dad was a career army man so we had to pick up about every three years and go somewhere else. The worst move we ever had was when we went to Brazil. Okay, I know it sounds great and eventually it was but when we arrived there was no housing for us. We ended up living in a hotel for six months. Imagine my poor Mom with two teenagers and two little ones all in a two room suite. And, of course, our stuff was in storage so we had the bare essentials. But when we finally moved out of the hotel we had a great apartment to go to and the rest of the time I was in heaven. But all in all I wouldn’t trade any of the experiences because the memories I have are priceless!
Comment by Carol R — April 9, 2007 @ 9:52 am
This is such a HUGE relief, and I’m so happy that it’s finally over for you! I can’t wait to get a glimpse at your new when you find it!
Comment by Janelle — April 9, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Leslie it is awesome that you finally have sold your house.
trying to find an apartment.
We are looking to move too, been apartment hunting for what seems like forever. There are times I feel like I am
Comment by BadBarb — April 9, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Yey Leslie…..hopefully, everything will go smoothly. We had to move in a rush (when we moved here) because of my husband’s job. We made some money, but it was a little tight. We also didn’t have the luxury of
‘looking’ for awhile, we just had to find something (fortunately we were very lucky).
Comment by katie — April 9, 2007 @ 10:44 am
The funny thing will be when you unpack everything you put into storage and find things you forgot you had or can’t imagine why you kept! Each time I’ve had to move, and especially when we’ve used temporary storage, I found myself getting rid of more and more. After a few months of living with less, you may find that you’ve discovered you really don’t need or even want all the stuff you had anymore. It’s quite liberating!
Best wishes on the MD househunting.
Comment by Patricia W — April 9, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Leslie, I’m so happy that you finally sold your FLA home (though, with some regret–it’s hard to leave memories). Also happy that *Bruce* may not need that *missing door* much longer–LOL.
I’ve been in my house for 41 years (other than the one year when I divorced & moved to an apartment with the kids), & have no thoughts of ever moving again (it’s great to have an all-paid-off house).
Anyway, good luck on finding a new MD home that you’ll all love!
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — April 9, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Congratulations, Leslie! :cocktail: It is bittersweet when your house isn’t yours anymore!
Comment by Susan — April 9, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Hi Leslie:
Congrats on selling your Florida house. I was in a similar situation a few years back, except I had two mortgages to pay.
Fortunately I was able to get out of the old house after about six months without losing much money. Of course the expected profit from the sale of that house was supposed to fix various problems with the new house
How’s the housing market in Maryland. I know it was kinda flat when I lived there in the late 90’s, but I’ve heard that prices went through the roof a few years later. Hope you can find a nice place to live at a price you can afford.
Take care………….Wayne
Comment by Wayne (aka Trybble) — April 9, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 9, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
wtg leslie, enjoy your new home
Comment by kim h — April 9, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Leslie,
I am glad you sold your house, but living in limbo is awful. Good Luck on finding the right place soon. It is great you have such an amazing family to help you out at times like this.
Don’t work too hard and think–some of those funny packing stories, might end up in a book someday.
Comment by Debbie — April 9, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Fortunately, I have not been in the situation of trying to sell our home during this tough market, but, sadly, have known others who are going through this difficult situation. Wishing you much happiness in your new adventure and home and hope you build many new and happy memories as you go forward. Congratulations!!!
Comment by chis0289 — April 9, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Congratulations Ms. Leslie!
Comment by Qua — April 9, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Congratulations, Leslie! Hope you find a great house now. We’ve been trying to sell our old house for 1yr now. We’re renting it now with option to buy. the guy can get a loan in a year(something about his taxes). Just happy to finally have something done about it cause we’ve been making 2 house payments.
Comment by Stacy S — April 9, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
I’ve been through this recently myself and know the huge relief you guys are feeling. We did have 2 mortgage payments for about 9 months and when that house sold I felt like I’d hit the lottery. It was one of the top 5 days of my life.
, right up there with marriage and birth of my children.
Enjoy searching for a new home and I hope you find exactly what you are looking for!
Comment by Jodie — April 9, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Congrads on selling your house. I am sure I can share your feeling with living with family its greats sometimes and sometimes its like banging your head into a brick wall
lol but I like with my mother after 4 yrs of married
nancy
Comment by Nancy M — April 9, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Have fun looking for a house in MD, I hope you find a fabulous house for your family.
Comment by Donna M — April 9, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
My in-laws just put their FL home on the market at a “reduced” price for a hopefully “quick” sell. Health problems are forcing them out of their home.
Glad you sold!! You were really lucky to have sisters who took you in! I couldn’t imagine any of our relatives even offering!! of vice versa!! We wouldn’t have the room!!
We had a similar problem in the early 80’s with selling our first home. Interest rates were running at 11% and there were too many homes on the market. Our home was vacant for 18 months and we had to travel over an hour to periodically check on it. We too had to sell it for a loss but we were relieved to unload it.
Comment by Laurie — April 10, 2007 @ 6:28 am
Hi all–I’m back though I doubt anyone is checking comments here, I just wanted to say thanks for all the well wishes and support! I really appreciated it!
The move went…well…NOT so smoothly.
But it’s over now, done, finished! HOORAY!
Comment by Leslie — April 12, 2007 @ 12:29 pm