Closing Is Set

I am proud to say I am one of the few people who has managed to sell their house in this market.  I live in Binghamton, NY right now and have for almost 19 years but I have to say it does not feel like that long.  I came here for a job that ended about 14 years ago.  I started my own business here, sold it and began flipping houses just before the housing crisis happened.  The house I live in right now is one I bought only three years ago.  I have put about $25,000 into it but have sold it for less than I bought it for.  And I'm grateful that it sold.  That is the U.S. housing market right now.  I have been doing real estate for three years--as the market has declined each year-- and now am back working for the company I sold, writing a newsletter every day.

Anyway, after weeks of being concerned that the deal would go sour, I feel at least mostly sure that my closing date is the Tuesday after Labor day, about a week and a half from now.  I have begun packing and made some good progress there.  Still, I wake up in the middle of the night thinking that there is not enough time to get everything done or that something will happen to queer the deal.

There's also the fact that I have no permanent house to move into.  For now, I will be going to Ocean City, NJ and live in the summer house that my sister and brother and I own and rent out.  From there I will try to get some housing in Delaware, hopefully New Castle, which I have fallen in love with.  But none of this is easy.  My mortgage person seems distracted and just asks me for one more thing everyday, I believe so he can put my file aside for another 24 hours.  I have found a home that I love, but it may be too pricey for the mortgage I am able to get (not afford mind you, just get).

The electrician has been at my house for the last two days, all day, working on making the house safe and secure for the new owner.  When I moved in, I guess I was not so concerned since I would be doing a lot of repairs.  And, after three radon tests, I have finally convinced her that radon is not a problem.

All of this is stressing me out.  So I have started this blog to get rid of some of the pressure and maybe work to convince myself that everything will be OK.