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!