There is so much I need to be doing right now.......the movers are coming in 36 hours and the house has quickly come undone. It has been immaculate for months, given it was on the market to be sold. Now, there is shit everywhere! (Slight exaggeration and sorry for the language, mom!) But, seriously, how do you pack when you don't know where you're going? And, you don't know how long it will be until you get access to your stuff again? Technically, we can store it for 60 days. We know that's not happening. (right?) And, what do you pack for an almost-four year old when you don't know where she'll be playing on a daily basis? The 'pre' movers are coming tomorrow to take apart the washer/dryer and pack a few big things.
So, I took today off to try and figure out what we will need for whatever 'temporary' living arrangements we find ourselves in for now. So, rather than pack it all into suitcases, I went to Target and bought out their supply of tubs.....x-small, small, med, large.....you name it, I have it here. And, they are all labeled.....Olivia' books, Olivia's bath toys, Kristin shoes, makeup, Toys, Important papers, etc. Because in the middle of all this, after this week, I will be on two week-long business trips, out of the country, with a long weekend stay in Miami in the middle. So, organization is key.
But, somehow moving will be fine. It's actually the easiest part in all this. Movers come, pack you up, drive it 1200 miles to Miami and unpack it at some point into some kind of building with 4 walls, a roof, A/C, and living space. The hardest part is WHERE? Here's my venting on the current housing situation and advice to all.......live within your means and make sure the government is aware of the impact on their regulatory decisions. Our problem is two fold - maybe more, but I can't think straight right now. First part - people got greedy in Miami with the housing boom. Instead of the normal 3-5% annual market increase, Miami experienced a 3-5% increase monthly. Yes, monthly. Imagine the value of your home going up 40% in a year. Many, many people in FL realized this and refinanced to take advantage of this. Case in point. We thought we were in great shape with the last house we made an offer on. The couple is in their 60's. Two kids in college. Lived there 20+ years. One would think the house is almost paid off, or as close to it as you could get. Right?? Nope. They refinanced two years ago to get the additional equity out so they could buy two homes on top of the one in Miami. Correct - TWO! One as a vacation home, the other as a retirement home. Obviously in retirement, you need both. So, now they owe more than the house is worth. Second problem - I don't care if you are a republican, democrat, libertarian or dictator reading this.....recent changes in govt regulation are screwing up and making a bad situation - impossible! I know it needs to be corrected. But, it's completely gone the other way. Now, you can't buy a house because the appraisal industry has gone to hell. Mr. President made some move that allowed for a 3rd party to get involved in the appraisal industry. They now take up to a 40% cut off the top. So, the good appraisers have left the business. Those left aren't making any money or 'newbies' have come in and don't know how to appraise and are completely confused with the short sales and foreclosures as comparisons. And, your mortgage lender can't pick the appraiser anymore. It's a lottery. We found out that the guy doing the last one on the house we're trying to buy did it wrong. He used three different calculations for price per sq foot on four different houses. And, none of them were correct. They think he made a $70k error. So, now we wait to see if the 2nd lottery pick is any better as they have orderd another one.
I am completely rambling now....but, I feel better. And, I now have 35 hours until the movers come and a lot that still needs to be packed. Maybe I'll open one of the leftover Coronas from our 4th of July party and get to packing......
The next post will have pretty pictures and an update from the weekend. Thanks for listening!!
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