Friday, February 19, 2010

Exciting Times

In 2007, David and I wrapped up construction on our custom built home. It took us nine months to build and we feel so blessed to have been able to build our "dream" house. At the time, I was in my 3rd year of teaching, and David was wrapping up his senior year as an Industrial Engineer. Life was busy.










This past November, we made the decision to put our house for sale by owner. In this housing market, we know most homes in our price range stay on the market for upwards of a year, if not longer. Though we love our home, we just felt as though God was nudging us to list. We decided, however, to strictly list by owner and not use a realtor. Really, we just trusted that if God wanted it to sell, it would. We felt no urgency to sell in any time frame.


Eight weeks later, we had our first showing on New Year's Eve. Within days we accepted a full appraisal offer. We have been really blessed to have bought (and built) three homes and have been able to sell them all by owner to the first family who has looked at them. This was no excpetion. The family was moving in from out of state and needed to be in quicky. With four children and a father working as a local pharamisict, making a very long commute each week to Louisianna, we knew we needed to pack quickly. And we did! We completely packed and moved out of our home in only one week. How we did this, I am still not sure. Neither of us took a single day off from work. With a 15 month old son, it took some creative scheduling. The family moved in immediately and rented from us for two weeks at a prorate while we waited to close.






Moving from a home you built and designed from the ground up is a bit emotional. It feels different knowing that before you came, it was only a patch of land with a few trees. We are, however, looking forward to finding a new place to live (and decorate!!)










Today was our closing date. We are very excited about our future, though, to be quite honest, we are unsure of what lies ahead. We are considering building again and have a floorplan ready to go.... but, with the market flooded with great investments, we are also considering buying. Our primary reason for selling is mainly due to location. When we built, David was still in school, and now that he is settled in a career, his 50 minute commute is taking a toll on our family time. We are hopeful that God will reveal His perfect plan and work all things out according to His timing.

I am teaching tomorrow, which is Saturday. Our district is working two Saturdays AND two days of Spring Break due to all the snow we have received. I am, fortunately, approved to take a full Spring Break due to a previous planned ski trip we are taking as a family. I look forward to a little R&R in the mountains with all the hustle and bustle of these last few weeks. My closest friends know that I have been a hard lady to track down with all that has been on my plate! 

Have a great weekend! I hope to keep in touch a bit better now that I can find my own toothbrush!  : )


25 comments:

  1. WOW! I can't believe you sold your house!!! And how amazing in this market!! That's awesome!
    Can't wait to see where you move next!

    ReplyDelete
  2. God works in amazing ways. It is good that you have the clarity to allow him to be your navigator and put trust into HIS plan! Blessings, Jessica!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wherever you move- you will have it decorated so cute! Can't wait to see pics!

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow! when you post you really post! Good luck with the new house search.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't believe it sold so quickly and for full value. I am in mortgage and have seen so many homes come in so much lower than the previous appraisal. You are very blessed and congrats. I am excited to see where you go next.
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amazing!! I'm sure your next home will be just as beautiful as the one you just sold. God is good! Skiing...I'm jealous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can't believe you sold your house so quickly! That is awesome! I can't wait to see your next house! I know it is kind of bitter sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can not believe you sold your house. It was such a beautiful home.I am sure God has great things in store for you guys and I will be praying he shows you what he has in plan!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! I can't believe you sold your house! Thank God that it sold quickly. I'm so excited for you and the change ahead. I love change. I'm weird like that. I've missed your posts and have been wonder how Harbor is. He's getting so big.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had no idea you sold your house! That's so exciting! It is amazing how God works things out (we had a similar situation with the house we moved from and it also sold for the full asking price). I can't wait to hear more from you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is really amazing that you were able to sell your house so quickly. You had a great house though. With God nothing is impossible. Can't believe you had time to paint my tile with all of that going on. I had know idea.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was beginning to wonder about you guys! I am glad you were able to sell so quickly! I can't wait to see your new home and how you decorate. My sister, Brittany, was just asking me the other day about your dining room wall that David painted and how he did it. She loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved seeing a picture of the back of your house. I don't think I'd ever seen a picture before. Glad you sold it quickly and I'm amazed that you moved out in a week! It was such a beautiful house and I can't wait to see what you find next!

    Is it hard going to school on a Saturday? I was telling my husband (we both teach) that I'm glad we build them in and don't have to worry. Of course you normally don't get snow days either! Glad you still get your spring break!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I will really miss seeing snapshots of your home through your blog. I LOVED it! I can't wait to see what you do next!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is awesome Jessica! I am still so shocked! I almost teared up just reading this post! I remember reading each post about building this home! I can't wait to see where you guys are next! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jessica,
    WOW girl, that IS exciting!!! The most exciting thing to me is that you were obedient to the call of Abba Father. AWESOME!! He will Bless and teach you all so much through this experience. GREAT!!

    I look forward to seeing your new digs and how beautifully you decorate them. Where are you living now? Renting?

    Have a Blessed Sunday friend,
    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  17. I LOVED your house and I am sure it was hard to let go. I am sure you will find something even better and not so much of a commute for your husband. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Totally awesome Jessica!! Shocking but great you did sell your house so fast. We have some old friend that went to church with us at Calvary that is moving back from Louisiana. Wonder if it is the same people? Duncan is the last name.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Whoa! Y'all've been busy!! Good luck on your new move!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have missed your post but I now know why you have been away! Look forward to following your adventure as Gods plan moves forward! Have a great Wednesday.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh man, I wish our house closing was going this smoothly! Jealous!
    Where are you living?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! I guess that's why we haven't heard from you. You've been busy!!!

    Your house is so gorgeous so I can't wait to see your next one. Where will you live until then?

    Harbor is getting so big!! Such a cute little munchkin!

    ReplyDelete
  23. That's awesome!
    Can't wait to see where you move next!
    party video

    ReplyDelete
  24. OOHH I too will miss your home!! I felt as if we were right there with you!! But as creative and go to it people I have no doubt your next one will be as special!! good luck!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete