Downsizing

Portland, OR

Cleaning out for the sale of my house


Life for the last couple of months has been very predictable:  Sort through my 3 bedroom, full basement, and garage placing my belongings into many piles: Sell on Craigslist, Donate to Goodwill, the Rebuilding Center (tools and construction or remodeling things), Habitat for Humanity, Community Warehouse (give household goods for free to people in need), the dump, free to my neighbors, my new storage unit, and last, but not least, jam into my new trailer! 

Then repeat, over and over and over!  Mostly, it wasn't too hard.  I got a niece to take some of the family memorabilia and furniture.  It was odd to find the things I was very attached to - arts and crafts materials with no actual value at all and what things were surprisingly easy to say goodbye to.  I think it helped that my family moved a lot when I was young, so I don't always have strong attachments to things.

Then came just plain cleaning – for the open house.  I hate, hate, hate cleaning!  I was very grateful to have a few friends who came and helped clean!

They said the Portland real estate market was hot – but this surprised even my realtor!




My realtor had a strategy (offer low to get more folks, creating excitement, competing bids, etc).  We had over 100 people at the open house and 28 offers – and the resulting sale price was considerably more than either of us had expected (but strangely, right what my neighbor thought I would get for it!). 

So, I’ve apparently sold my house!  It will close in mid-April.  I moved out shortly before the house went on the market just for convenience – so Fay Wray and I are getting settled into the new trailer in a nearby RV Resort.

I feel free and unburdened!


My friends thought I would feel loss after living in my house for 18 years – longer than I have ever lived anywhere ever.  But, in fact, I mostly just feel relieved.  The house was becoming more of a burden as I travel more, worrying over who I could get to stay in the house while I was away, overwhelmed by the increasing list of maintenance to do, and increasingly hating the rainy PNW weather.


So, while I still have a couple of months in Portland, taking care of details and family matters, I’m feeling remarkably free and happy.  I’m still close enough to visit my old neighbors and friends, enjoy spring in Portland, and look forward to planning my first real trip.

The big Reveal - my new trailer and vehicle


Will be in the next post!

10 comments:

  1. Just ran into your blog. I don't see dates on your posts but assume you are into 2016 on this post. Good luck with your new life adventures. Sounds amazing. I left the PNW (WA) after living there for 15 years. I downsized from 2500 ft home to a 580 ft home. I love it. And I bought it online, sight unseen all the way in NC in the mountains. Loaded up all my animals in my Casita trailer and drove 3200 miles to my new home last April. Oh how sweet to have four real seasons and SUNSHINE. LOts of it. If you travel to NC look me up. You may want to park here in my town and you may never leave. The people are AMAZING here and the weather is wonderful. Many blessings to you.

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  2. Oh Anne! So happy for you! We were in our house for 15 years and it had also become a huge burden.
    Love your new photo. The shine is beautiful and like the way the solar is located.
    Will you be staying in the Northwest all summer? We are already thinking about another trip and will not get home for two more days.

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    1. Probably will be in the NW for early summer. I'll start with the Escape Owners Rally in late May and then just mosey around.

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  3. Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm excited about the sale and so glad that all the work is coming to an end!

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  4. I am in the process of doing the same thing. So hard to get rid of my stuff! Congrats on your quick sale.

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    1. It's just astounding how much 'stuff' one can collect over time. It's taken me almost 3 months to go through it all (well, I don't work very hard, but still).

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  5. Well Done Anne!!
    Congrats on making it all come together and joining in on the crazy housing market in PDX. Maybe we can all get a trip in before you hit the wide open road.

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    1. I'm not leaving until late may - plenty of time for a dewinterizing trip or a weekend at the coast!

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