Of Houses, Tragedy and Weekend Plans...

It looks like I might be a homeowner! I’m so excited! It felt right when I walked through it last weekend but I tried not to get my hopes up because of my recent contract failures. The housing market in this area is pretty tricky. Especially with the first-time-homebuyer tax incentive going on. Most homes in my price range are sold within days of being listed. This one had been on the market for over 50 days. I confess to being a little concerned about that fact. Was there something wrong? Were the neighbors psycho? Was the house in a flood zone or something?

Turns out the house is perfectly sound. It was a combination of things that led the house to stay on the market so long. Ready for some drama? Here it comes.

First off, the owner is retiring from the FBI and would not let her realtor put a lockbox on the door. Wouldn’t let the home be seen unless she was present. Didn’t even let the realtor have a key. This, I can understand to some extent – I mean, that lady has probably seen enough spooky shit to make her reasonably paranoid about having strangers walking around her house and poking through her things. Still, it makes the home extremely difficult to show and if clients can’t see it – they won’t buy it.

Secondly, and tragically, the realty company that listed the condo was a small mother/daughter business and the daughter passed away in August. When my realtor called the listing agent she noticed that the lady was sniffling. She expressed sympathy for a supposed cold and was told that the lady’s daughter had passed away in August and that she just cries sometimes. Well! I can totally understand that!

Turns out, the daughter was bi-polar and had been battling depression that may or may not have had something to do with a bad boyfriend. She couldn’t sleep, had no appetite and resorted to self medicating with wine and OTC pills. She eventually overdosed on a PM pain reliever and was found in her bathroom. Horrifying!!

Naturally, that kind of tragedy can lead to some work related issues. Not only was the mother grieving for her daughter, but she was trying to run the business single-handedly. Also, it turns out that the daughter was the IT brains of the business and the mother couldn’t operate some of the IT equipment. My realtor held her hand and walked her through the process. What woman wouldn’t feel torn up over a story like that!

So that’s the story. I believe the combination of concerned homeowner and grieving realtor led to the house not being able to be seen by many homebuyers. It is a sad tale and I feel kind of mercenary for having something good come out of it. I got the news last night and I hope to be in my new home after Thanksgiving.

In other drama-related news… I spoke with Muffin’s dad last night. He had called to see if we were still on for a Muffin swap this weekend. I said that I would be willing to go through with it - but explained that we would not even be able to meet him until 9PM, at the earliest, on Friday which would put them getting home around midnight.

Then, I offered another option for his consideration. Veterans Day. Four day weekend. No midnight drives. He was a little sad at not being able to see her, but I think relieved to know that there was a viable alternative. I also pointed out that he would be getting her for Thanksgiving this year and that there was almost always a three day weekend each month that we could work around. He bought it.

Then, he told me that he was sitting in an emergency room because his four year old had hit his two year old and now the two year old’s EYEBALL was bleeding!! GEEZ! Does the fun ever stop?

Oh, and speaking of fun… I’m taking Muffin to “Boo at the Zoo” this weekend! (yes, I had an ulterior motive for keeping her this weekend). The national zoo opens its doors to little ghosts and goblins for three days, puts out candy stations and lets the children trick or treat with the animals. How fun is that!! As a Matter Of Fact, I think another Mommy should check it out. *hint, hint*

Ok, I guess that’s enough for now. Ya’ll have a good weekend! I’ll post pictures of my princess and the animals next week!