Dear So and So

Just to clarify that I'm not currently buying or selling. I sold my house in downtown Indy in early 2010....but the experience is still fresh in my mind. I was lucky at least that the house was vacant while I was trying to sell it, so I didn't have to worry about my pets or keeping it tidy. Of course, not living in a house you're trying to sell can also be challenging. It seemed like we got a heavy snow every time I had a showing scheduled.

In any event, I became obsessive about comps to make sure I was priced right. That was hard because downtown properties are unique in a lot of ways and their values can vary widely based on what block it's on.

So, that's my advice for anybody selling. As hard as it is to swallow the decrease in property values, try to be realistic about what your house is worth. Also be prepared to be lowballed. Every buyer out there is convinced they're going to get a smokin' deal right now, even if your house is otherwise priced well. Make sure your realtor really understands the comps and can persuasively argue for or against a certain price. Having worked with a handful of realtors over the years, I've included that some are better than others at the actual negotiation part of buying/selling.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blueberry

The house behind us (very similar) went on the market a few weeks ago and had 4 offers the first day. I REALLY want that to be us.

Our plan is to rent for a while. Let someone else deal with the repair issues, etc. We will own again - but not anytime soon, I think.

---

Well, that's encouraging. Here's hoping.

I fantasize about renting again. Homeownership can be such a drag.

With the agent change, I am very confident we have a great negotiator (with my career, that's a hard thing for me to delegate - but I realize necessary in this case).

We are priced at the high end of the range that agents have given us - but within the range. We also have an urban house that is very unique. It's hard to know, but we're definitely being realistic on the price with the advice we're getting. Our agent is very comfortable with it (important to me!).

Now - off for my first bike ride in LA:eek::eek:

Wow. My son is trying to buy his first home and here we have bidding wars and people offering way over asking price. He was so happy he got pre approved for first time buyer's financing and now is so discouraged.
We had a great agent who died :(. We aren't planning on selling for 5-7 yrs. but not sure what we will do without her.

I rue the day we have to sell our current home. It's in a smallish town where home values have decreased a fair amount since we bought in 2009. Because the volume of sales is low, even at the best of times, it will take a very long time before the market can rebound given how stingy appraisers have become. It will be very difficult to support even a modest increase in price with sold comps.

All the while, we have to put money into the house to keep it liveable for us. It's a losing proposition. At least our mortgage is relatively small.

My son and his wife had their offer accepted!
Much more exciting than having a grandchild.

ooo congrats!

Yeah, I am pretty proud, knowing how he saved and has no debt, got approved for a special MA first time buyer's loan, considering how much freakin' money houses here cost, compared to other parts of the country.
Sometimes I want to strangle parents who think the only way their kids can be successful is to spend 200K on their college and let them live at home afterwards, so they don't have these experiences.

Dear men,

Did it ever occur to you that when you "shake," those droplets don't magically disappear? Would you please, just once, wipe your OWN dried urine off the walls, floors and sides of the commode? Why can't you just use toilet paper like normal human beings?

Dear Ivan the Cat,

I know you hate it when men visit, but must you always poop in the middle of the floor just to make that point?

Sincerely,

Your poop-cleaning slave



BTW, been reading this thread for the past few days. Love it!

Dear esteemed colleagues offering real estate advice at lunch today,
You have no idea how completely disheartened I am about my "situation". Telling me that I should go for a drive, check out other neighborhoods isn't very helpful. What I would like to hear is an invitation to join you to check our your lovely neighborhood - as I'm not familiar with this city, as you well know.

Living in real estate limbo sux. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bmccasland

Dear esteemed colleagues offering real estate advice at lunch today,
You have no idea how completely disheartened I am about my "situation". Telling me that I should go for a drive, check out other neighborhoods isn't very helpful. What I would like to hear is an invitation to join you to check our your lovely neighborhood - as I'm not familiar with this city, as you well know.

Living in real estate limbo sux. :(

---

I'd go for a bike ride not a drive. Explore the bike and ped accessible areas of your city (there are lots of delightful ones!) I might be up there soon, real soon. A couple weeks. Maybe a TE neighborhood exploration ride is in order :D

Beth, I'd love to plug my neighborhood and take you for a tour of it but I fear it might be too far north for you ...

Might be fun to hang out regardless. Trek's idea is a good one.

I'm currently limited to riding on my trainer but would be open to meeting up with TE-ers for post-ride treats and libations.

Here we go again, more change in the dept. where I work. This time, I'm wondering if it's going to affect my job because a similar position is being posted. :confused:

So I have figure out a path or paths, when I get more info. Or I'll just resign myself for ride without stressing myself...over more change.

I'm getting a bit tired of change, just have had to live through alot of major personal change in past 1.5 yrs.

Bike riding weather has been scarce in our neighborhood lately for all but the toughest of riders. Temps hovering near freezing, wind, snow, sleet, rain... Not easy for a gal from New Orleans for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Biciclista

Bike riding weather has been scarce in our neighborhood lately for all but the toughest of riders. Temps hovering near freezing, wind, snow, sleet, rain... Not easy for a gal from New Orleans for sure.

---

Darn tootin right! :D
(even if I do own 1 thermal long sleeved jersey and 1 pr of thermal tights) :rolleyes:

And y'all are right, a bike ride through a neighborhood would be much better than a drive. Even a walk is better than a drive. In this "lovely" weather I'd rather walk than ride. Yes, I'm a wimp. I admit it. :p

Dear self
Yes it is going to be another near perfect day to be outside and yes, it's spring break but you have ridden 146 miles since Saturday and all the routine house chores have been put off long enough, not to mention any project that takes longer than 20 minutes. Besides, the muscles are requesting a day off no matter how perfect it is outside for a spin up to Saguaro National Park. Get to work and ride tomorrow!

Love, me

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bmccasland

Darn tootin right! :D
(even if I do own 1 thermal long sleeved jersey and 1 pr of thermal tights) :rolleyes:

And y'all are right, a bike ride through a neighborhood would be much better than a drive. Even a walk is better than a drive. In this "lovely" weather I'd rather walk than ride. Yes, I'm a wimp. I admit it. :p

---

All I can say is that, as a southern woman who now lives in central Indiana - PI Amfib tights + bib shorts + PI Barrier shoe covers + smartwool base layer + smartwool LS jersey + thermal jacket makes a fine combination and keeps me warm in colder temps :cool: I hope it gets warmer for you soon.

I won't rub in the 78 degree temps they are calling for today. Not at all :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catrin

All I can say is that, as a southern woman who now lives in central Indiana - PI Amfib tights + bib shorts + PI Barrier shoe covers + smartwool base layer + smartwool LS jersey + thermal jacket makes a fine combination and keeps me warm in colder temps :cool: I hope it gets warmer for you soon.

I won't rub in the 78 degree temps they are calling for today. Not at all :)

---

Why is it so warm? And more importantly, why is it so warm around finals so that I can't go out and enjoy it? Grump.

Dear Bike Friday:

What is it that you don't like about Southern Californa? Last time we were here, you destroyed your connections to the nice generator hub I got for you and went through 3 tubes in a week. This time, you've blown a spoke in a rear wheel. I know you don't like TSA, but really? We're adventuring! Good thing we have an understanding bike shop willing to get you rolling again ASAP (and a good friend to transport you)!

Your owner

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bmccasland

And y'all are right, a bike ride through a neighborhood would be much better than a drive. Even a walk is better than a drive. In this "lovely" weather I'd rather walk than ride. Yes, I'm a wimp. I admit it. :p

---

Of course we're right :D Think listings near the Burke Gillman, Interurban trail .... close to shopping, walkable. Find a few and do a walk to open houses or just to see the outside.

Dear So Cal Weather:

At home, it is 80 and sunny. Must the forecast really be mid 50's and raining when we get to the part of this trip that is actually vacation for DH and for me?

Please resume your normal, sunny Southern Cal weather!

Dear Neighbors,

Please take your dog on a walk. He's too big to keep tied up on a 6 ft chain all day long :( He's s such a friendly and happy dog. He deserves better.

I love your Graykitty (that's what my kids named her). She is so affectionate. She runs up to my kids whenever they are outside and immediately starts purring and cuddling with them. As much as we love seeing her everyday, you need to start caring for her! If we didn't already have 3 cats in our home, I would open our doors and welcome her in. You have for all purposes abandoned her.

It positively breaks my heart :(

~Limewave

Dear Seattle weather,

I know you thrive on being as miserable as possible when the rest of the country gets to experience beautiful weather. I'm glad a lot of the people who live here love your constant gray and rain, but I am not one of them. Could we please have just one day of sun next week when I'm off? It would improve my mood immensely.

Signed,
Missing the beautiful weather in Denver

VBC, I don't know how you do it, that much overcast would make me cry.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pax

VBC, I don't know how you do it, that much overcast would make me cry.

---

As a matter of fact, Pax, I just about did that when I landed back in Seattle 2 days ago from a trip to Denver, where it's been sunny and in the 70's for the last week. I'm so fortunate I got to experience some sun. I'm looking to relocate there but no job prospects at present. Keeping my fingers crossed.

You can definitely see how people's moods here shift once the sun comes out, so I know I'm not the only one affected, just one of the ones finally doing something about it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pax

VBC, I don't know how you do it, that much overcast would make me cry.

---

Don't remind me. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pax

VBC, I don't know how you do it, that much overcast would make me cry.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trek420

Don't remind me. ;)

---

Does that help explain my gloomy mood on tuesday? :(
Not great news from realtor, challenges with my current projects, all I could do to keep from breaking down at my desk. Did cry on the way home.

And sometimes living alone sux. No one to decompress with - except the cats.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bmccasland

Does that help explain my gloomy mood on tuesday? :(
Not great mood from realtor, challenges with my current projects, all I could do to keep from breaking down at my desk. Did cry on the way home.

And sometimes living alone sux. No one to decompress with - except the cats.

---

That could very well be part of it, SAD is very real.

Took me a while to put things together and discover I'm 100% solar powered, if it's too dark and gloomy/rainy/cloudy more than 3-4 days without a break I just lose it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bmccasland

Does that help explain my gloomy mood on tuesday? :(
Not great news from realtor, challenges with my current projects, all I could do to keep from breaking down at my desk. Did cry on the way home.

And sometimes living alone sux. No one to decompress with - except the cats.

---

Hugs, Beth. Hope things start to look better. I agree that living alone is not great, but it is nice to have the cats for company.

We've had a rough streak of weather, lasting almost 2 years. Will it ever end? You know, I can deal with the grey. But mix in wet rainy snow, stout winds and INCESSANT rain and even I am getting tired of it. The tougher riders in our area are having a bad season, so that means lighter weight riders like me??? We're not riding much at all!

Can't imagine how I'd feel right now if I lived in a dreary place. We've had sunny and warm all week (so far) but I'm in a blithering, sobbing, slobbering state.

We had a 'retirement reception' for a beloved colleague who is retiring 'for health reasons.' Basically a funeral, but he got to give his own talk.

No eyedrops needed to keep my contacts lubricated.

<---- lives in Seattle, and still riding high on the fact that I no longer live in Edmonton. I find the schizophrenic weather exhilarating. But it probably helps that I don't have to spend huge amounts of time outside right now.

Dear Self,
Yes, your body can take the extra exercise. Stop being a wimp.
Use your rest day well and think about the people here who actually "train" for things like an Ironman :eek:. Sometimes I think I have the genes of my Jewish princess ancestors :). Hey, that's OK for me to say.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by malkin

Can't imagine how I'd feel right now if I lived in a dreary place. We've had sunny and warm all week (so far) but I'm in a blithering, sobbing, slobbering state.

We had a 'retirement reception' for a beloved colleague who is retiring 'for health reasons.' Basically a funeral, but he got to give his own talk.

No eyedrops needed to keep my contacts lubricated.

---

(((Malkin))) That's so sad.

Dear Doc,

Glad my knee will heal up soon as it's just a small sprain with a ligament. Thanks for the prescription to see if I have exercised induced asthma as well. If it's not, I'm just out of shape more than I think and "round" is not considered a shape.

However; I have lost 3 lbs when the nurse weighed me. It may not be much, but I won't complain.


Dear Self,

Maybe the reason you are huffing/puffing away is because you bought a steel frame bike. Duh. I just now thought of that. Going from a 14lb? carbon Madone to a steel Salsa Fargo bike would do it. Don't know how much the Fargo weighs, but probably enough to make me work for every mile.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bethany1

Dear Self,

Maybe the reason you are huffing/puffing away is because you bought a steel frame bike. Duh. I just now thought of that. Going from a 14lb? carbon Madone to a steel Salsa Fargo bike would do it. Don't know how much the Fargo weighs, but probably enough to make me work for every mile.

---

My guess is the difference in frame weight in and of itself isn't what you're noticing. It's the drag on your tires/wheels. There's a big diffence between the Madone's 23cc slicks and those that come standard on the Fargo.

Dear cycling enthusiasm: Where have you gone? I know you haven't been as excited to ride as you once were, but you were always at least eager for your first spring ride. What's wrong with you? Is it because winter wasn't all that wintery or because you really just don't want to ride? Either way, you better get excited soon. You have a cycling trip in April that you paid good money for; you better enjoy it and be in some semblance of shape for it. Running and weights are great, but they do nothing to toughen up your butt.

Dear lbs boys,

Go easy on me tomorrow. I mean it.

Dear Sir,

I understand that you have to sit next to me for the next hour so please turn your face around your breath is killing me!