21 July 2007

Homeless

On Thursday morning at 8:00 am a truck arrived at the house where I've lived for the past 11 years and my partner and I watched as all our worldly possessions were loaded aboard for an overnight stay. At 9:00 the following morning we would be closing on our new across-town condominium with studio and at noon the truck would arrive with our belongings. We cleaned the floors and surfaces, put out some flowers for the new owner, and shut the door on our beautiful house for the last time. We felt sad and nostalgic, but also felt good about the way we had left the property and excited about the new adventure ahead.

An hour later in our lawyer's office we were shocked to learn that there was a large amount of paperwork still outstanding on our purchase of the new condo. The seller's lawyer didn't know when the paperwork would be in hand, and our closing the following morning was not going to happen. The sellers were offering to allow us to move in anyway paying a rent of $50 a day. We were horrified. $50 a day was more than the mortgage on the house we had just sold. We spent a sleepless night going over our options again and again and finally decided not to move in under these circumstances. For now we're staying at the home of some friends, all our belongings are in storage, and we're just putting one foot in front of the other, making our way through this uncharted territory.

I've read about real estate deals that go sour and collapse at the last minute but I never imagined it would happen to me. At any rate, I asked the movers to put the box marked "hanga supplies" up at the front of the storage unit. At least I know exactly where they are.

Thanks for reading.

xxoo Annie

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

ohhhh, what a shock that must have been. So sorry, Annie, Lynn, and Ty.
You're right, though, adventures only require one step at a time... and we only have this moment to enjoy.

~Nicole

Jenn Rodriguez said...

what a bummer! i've had unpleasant administrative shocks like that before, certainly nothing on the magnitude that would lead to losing a new house. best wishes to all of you, and i hope you get things together soon and make more woodcuts.

BZ said...

Oh my god. My mouth just hung open as I read your post. Annie, you have supported so many people with hope and visual pleasure, it makes me so sad that you and your partner are in this position. It's hard to believe it when things like this happen to you, but all I can say is that sometimes in the aftermath you realize that had things gone like you expected, then blah blah blah wouldn't have happened, but still... I would never wish adversity on you (or anyone) but this makes me really sad. And to have left your place in such great shape for the new owners - well, at least there is some good energy there in the picture. And you have friends who will let you stay with them. But still...

My thoughts are with you and Lynn(e). What a weekend for you, one you'll never forget. Keep us posted.

Celia Hart said...

What a damn nuisance - if it turns out to be a minor hitch you'll soon forget there was a problem; and if not, and you end up losing the deal, you'll look back and see it as a lucky escape and find things worked out for the best. (I didn't feel that way when happened to us - I just felt angry and gutted! Time and hindsight are great teachers.)

So sorry your much anticipated day turned sour - things will soon sort themselves out

Celia

Barbara Carr said...

OMG, Annie! I'm sending you lots of good thoughts in the hopes that all of this will be solved and you'll be back to your wonderful printmaking self soon.

Diane Cutter said...

Ah, Annie-girl... Like everyone, I was flabbergasted to read of your trials! What a shock! I love your upbeat attitude with your hanga box at the ready and am sending positive thoughts your way that everything is resolved quickly! My very best to all of you homeless waifs!!!

Anonymous said...

When I bought my house in Ohio I arrived at the closing to discover that no one had done the required newspaper ads seeking possible additional heirs - the previous owner had died without a will and her sister had inherited. This meant the house couldn't close for at least 6 weeks! Fortunately my realtor was a tiger on my behalf and pointed out that the "failure to perform" was *their* fault not mine - apparently in Ohio that is a big no no involving fines etc so in the end they let me move in and pay the equivalent of a mortgage payment minus interest until we were able to close, which took another 2 months. Maybe where you live has a similar rule/law?
Your situation sounds to me like possible seller's remorse and this might be a way to force *you* to back out of the deal

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Annie.
Although hard to believe, this stuff seems to happen. You'll feel better giving $50 to a friend. And all will turn out OK, one way or another.

Kris Shanks said...

Annie, how awful! That sounds like a nightmare - I hope it resolves quickly!

Anonymous said...

I really hope you're going to be able to solve this problem. My thoughts are with you.

Annie B said...

Thank you all so much for your supportive words. Not much to say right now, nor time to say it, but I appreciate all the great vibes :)
One little thing to share: this experience has catapulted me into the 21st century by forcing me to get a cell phone.

Marissa L. Swinghammer said...

ugh

Moving sucks.

Cin said...

Oh Annie and Lynn, I can't imagine the shock and disappointment of this, they must have known you were expecting to move in that day! You seem to be calm enough though the inconvenience and expense of the interim must be maddening! I hope that all will resolve itself very quickly, I'll be sending quick resolution vibes your way!

Bette Norcross Wappner -- said...

i'm so sorry you and Lynn have to experience these disappointments and inconveniences. one thing to be thankful for are your wonderful friends who have taken you in :) keep trying to dance and sing along the way. HUGS!
bette.

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone,

I check in with Annie's blog fairly frequently but have never posted. I am deeply moved by your expressions of support and care as we move through this experience, and feel so included in your good wishes.

Technology has many misuses...but this sense of collective well-wishing and concern brings an image of a strong tide supporting and moving us in a coherent and positive direction. Both Annie and I have felt a sense of wind at our backs and buoyancy that feels like a direct link to your personal and heart-felt words. Technology extends my imagination of what community can be.

Small words, but true and deep: Thank you.

Lynn

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry! How incredibly stressful this must be. Moving is stressful enough already.

Anonymous said...

Annie and Lynn,
I just learned of your "not-move" to your new condo! I picture your happy faces at the art exhibit last week and can hardly believe this is happening to you. The sellers should be paying you to move in given all the "pain and suffering" they are causing you! How could the attorneys let this happen? Sue the lot of them!!!! Sending positive energy your way that this gets resolved quickly...
Just think, Lynn, you can write a book about mindfulness during moving after this!

Kathy

0Annie) said...

Annie and Lynn,

My computer has been away, getting
repaired. I just got wind of your situation today (Tuesday) and my computer is back. ...$50. a day is criminal! I feel angry!
My love and support are with you.

Annie too

Anonymous said...

I think you are very, very wise not to have moved in.

Anonymous said...

I just got back from holiday and read about your awful experience. I absolutely sympathise. A year ago we almost moved to a great little house in Penzance; a dream move for us. Then our house sale fell through as our buyers' buyer had decided they couldn't afford to pay a mortgage! So everything went pear-shaped , we lost the little house in Penzance and we're still in our old place 300 miles from our desired home. We hope to try again next year. I hate house-buying!
And 50 $ a day is scandalous! Good luck to you both in getting the new place!

Annie B said...

Thank you, Sue. I'm amazed to hear how many people have had similar experiences. It's quite disruptive, isn't it?! We move next week into our new place.