SOLD!

Well sunday about an hour before we ran out the door to church a realtor called and wanted to show the house between 11 and 11:30. Which was fine, because we would be gone to church. BUT we had to clean while still getting ready to make sure everything was neat. Jonathan has got the attitude that they will buy it either way, but I think it makes a better impression to be clean, plus it is nicer to walk through a clean home. So I got all beds made and hurried and cleaned all bathroom sinks (just with windex- don't tell) and mirrors- so they looked shinny. And then made sure all the signs and smells of little messes were gone. I even got Jonathan to prepare the roast for dinner and sweep the whole downstairs! Well we left hoping they liked it but knowing it may be months longer before we actually sell. When we got home from church there was a message on the machine from the realtor asking about our lock on the front door. (I knew they would only ask about the lock if they were totally interested) It said she had a hard time getting the key out. So I had Jonathan oil it and then we called to say it should be fine and also *if needed to tell them we'd replace it- if it was a big issue. But we never said that because they were content with the fact we oiled it and had no problems.
Anyway, she thanks us for calling right back and said that she would be sending an offer over shortly!!!! We could hardly believe it. Within about 2 hours our realtor called with the offer. They offered another 10K less, wanted $7500 closing costs, and all appliances to be included. Kinda rediculous- even our realtor said that! We decided the way the market is going and everyone just keeps dropping, if we don't accept their offer, we might have to drop another couple-several thousand in the coming months. Afterall there is bigger houses in our neighborhood that are already going for less than us.
So this is what we did: We knew they were approved for $258K so we said $257,500 and we'll pay the closing costs up to $7,500 and what the heck-we'll throw in the appliances. We thought it was very fair to say 1 or the other NOT both. We couldn't give it to them at $250K AND pay 7500 in closing costs. that takes us down to $242,500. Anyway since we had just lowered our price 10K and then sold it for another 2K less and paid 7,500 closing costs we are a little bummed but excited to have it sold. After all there is bigger homes going for $257 and under now is our neighborhood and if the buyers went out to Mountain's Edge to buy a new home in our exact same model they would get it for $225K! So I think as the market continues to drop, we are lucky to be sold now. Only problem now is we don't know what house we want!! The ones we had looked at are either gone or withdrawn from the market. WE need to be able to offer a lot less than anyone is asking to make up for our loss, plus as a guarentee that if the market drops we won't end up upside down in a house. (but word is by summer, everyone expects the market to pick up) So we are heading out tomarrow afternoon to check out about 10 houses! Hopefully we can narrow it down and pick one! Jonathan and I want to see all 10, we picked them out of about 35! We'll keep you posted!!