I’m Swapping with the Neighbors

Posted by kim on July 11, 2011

Houses, not husbands. Cuz I don’t have a husband. And if I did, well, I’m not into that.  The official “house swap” will happen next month, and y’all are invited to help us move. I’ll supply the beer cooler between the houses.

So how did this come about?  Well, I’ve been talking about building a new house for awhile now. I even drew up house plans last fall and researched lots to build on.  Of course, the bank wanted me to sell my current house first, so I’ve been hee-hawing around putting it on the market, as the thought of renting anywhere temporarily just doesn’t appeal to me. And I absolutely refuse to live with my dad again.

In this small gossip town, word gets around, so I’ve had many inquiries from people wanting to buy my house without a “For Sale” sign in the yard. I declined a few offers, as I had a price point in mind that I’d like to get for my house.  And then I got an offer of the price I wanted. Now what?!

So I was chatting with one of my neighbors in the culdesac how I should probably take the offer, but I didn’t know what I would do or where I would live while I could build.  Talking about one thing led to another, how I wanted to downsize as my kids are almost all grown, and they’ve been wanting a bigger house.  They have four kids (just like me although younger): one boy and three girls, including a set of twins. Their eldest has the exact same birthdate as my youngest. How ironic, I know.

I find out my new house plans are very similar to their current house plans (and I’d never even been in their house).  I currently have six bedrooms plus an office. My new house plans had four bedrooms plus an office. Their house has five bedrooms – one of which can be my office (let the painting parties begin)!  My office won’t be in the center of the house, but I’ve decided that may be a good thing, as it is definitely the messiest room in the house (and maybe I won’t spend so much time working).

I’ll only have three bathrooms to clean instead of four (like I wanted). And maybe with the lower mortgage payment, I’ll even hire a cleaning lady. I’m  excited that I locked in an interest rate almost 2% lower than I’m paying now.  The “new” house only has a two-car garage instead of three, but I’ve been housing my brother’s old Mustang so not using my third garage stall anyway. He finally just  moved it to his new house. I figured as long as I get one of the garage stalls, the kids can park outside.

There are some things I’ll want to change in the new house, as I’m sure they will want to change in mine, but it’ll be far less stressful than building again. Anyway, why I am spending so much time blogging?! I have packing to do!