Not the Post I had Planned…

On By Suzanne@PictureRetirementIn Cruising, fun with friends, photography, retirement, travel

We were one hour from being ‘home free’ again. Then we got the call. Our buyers pulled the plug. On Wednesday we completed the final walk-through with the prospective new owners of Nana’s house, and on Friday we were scheduled to hand over the keys after they signed the final papers. That didn’t happen. We still don’t know why they walked away, but they did, and we are left with the considerable aftermath of their decision. I took the photos below during the walk-through last week, believing it would be the last time we’d see the house.

We left a few parting ‘gifts’ for the new owners, but one thing we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave behind was the row of Amaryllis growing along the back patio. I dug up seven bulbs and potted them into decorative pots like the one below. The photos show one blooming at Christmas and another variety blooming in the Spring. I have no idea which bulbs are which, and have clustered them all together in the pots. Here, they will remain until we are sorted.

In the meantime, we had relocated to a rental with a one-year lease. Yep, instead of being ‘home free’ we now have two residences to maintain. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.

These are the only images of the new place I feel comfortable showing. The kitchen is a work in progress, and the bedroom is almost done, but this room (our little sanctuary) is complete. At least we both have a cozy place to plop while we sip a glass of wine and drown our sorrows, contemplate our future.

Disappointed does not adequately describe our current state of mind, but sh*t happens and life goes on. We will get past it.

Fun Stuff That Happened Before Friday

While Malcolm spent every waking moment checking things off his ‘to do’ list, I carried on with an abbreviated version of my life. Tennis dates, Mahjongg games, a couple of beach family photo sessions, getting a new hair cut, and a twentieth anniversary celebration of our Women’s Club filled my time between packing boxes and readying the house for the movers.

Family Photo Session
The New Haircut
Women’s Club Group Photo
Addressing the group as Founding Member and former Director of Charities
Sitting with Friends from the Club

Next Up

With just two weeks to finish organizing the condo, locate our vacation clothes, and pack suitcases, we are working at breakneck speed a manageable pace to get things done. We sail out of Ft. Lauderdale on April 1st with a destination of Lisbon, Portugal. The repositioning cruise aboard the Silver Ray will take 14 days to reach Lisbon and includes three ports of call – Bermuda and two ports in the Azores. The weather along the way should feel like Spring, but one never knows. We look forward to relaxing in luxurious surroundings while enjoying the company of friends who will make this part of the journey with us.

After exploring Lisbon and Porto, our friends will fly home and Malcolm and I will continue to the Algarve. From there, we will journey to France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. Nearly two months in duration, this trip will adhere to the formula we devised for OP travel after this trip, that highlighted our limitations. Sixty-five pounds of luggage and changing hotels every three days is not an option for me. P.S. if you have to ask what OP means, you are not there yet.

As always, I will document the trip with photos on Instagram and, if we have adequate internet access, attempt to write a post or two. In keeping with our leisurely style of travel, this trip will be all about beautiful scenery and delicious food. Yes, there will be churches and museums, but expect lots of food and wine pics on the Instagram feed!

I have started a countdown to our departure date on Instagram. This was my first post.

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade….or go on vacation.

53 thoughts on “Not the Post I had Planned…”

      1. My husband was working on a house remodel for his brother, when his brother died from covid. So husband finished the remodel (which of course took much more time and $ than we had hoped) and put it on the market where it sold with multiple offers at higher than list price by a property manager/investor type…and then the final inspection happened and there were pin prick holes in a heating line in the crawl space and the buyer walked. Took weeks to find someone to come fix the heating line and put it back on the market and it sold for a bit more almost immediately to a family that loves it.

        The right family or couple or single will come buy your place too.

        Like

      2. Dawn, too bad about your BIL, but good for you that the sale was better the second time. Unfortunately, the market in South Florida is starting to turn due to the economy and overdevelopment, which will likely mean a decrease for us. Not to mention, we will have to list with a Realtor and a commission next time. This was our ‘dream sale’, or so we thought.

        Like

  2. I’m sincerely sorry to say ‘been there, done that.’ It made our life very challenging for over a year because we had a large piece of property. One of life’s experiences, I would never want to repeat. I hope your new buyer is right around the corner. Have fun on your big trip. I can’t even imagine being gone for two months, but you are experienced and will make the very best of each moment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Judy, only someone who has been through it can fully understand the gamut of emotions – all that hard work, moving expense, signing a lease agreement, storage costs, anticipation, etc. It is a bit much. This was a private transaction and never on MLS, so we are still debating our next decision. Regardless, we are looking forward to the time away. Two months doesn’t seem like nearly enough right now…..

      Like

      Reply

  3. I am so sorry those plans fell through, but I love that you’re moving forward. You guys have a great spirit, and that is the most important thing. I look forward to seeing pictures, and I like the idea that you will tour “your way.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Oh Suzanne what a shame about the buyers pulling out. I imagine you would have been feeling like all your ducks were in a row – and then kaboom! The stress would be high, but it will all work out. I hope you can sign paperwork or whatever if a buyer comes along while you’re away. How lovely it would be to return home to a completed sale – fingers crossed! – In the meantime, enjoy your trip and I hope you get a blog post or two in for those of us who aren’t on Instagram. Bon Voyage!! x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Leanne, we hadn’t allowed ourselves to feel that way until Wednesday, when the buyers were excitedly pointing out things they loved about the house and changes they planned to make. It hadn’t felt real until then. We believe they must have had a good reason for defaulting, but for now it is a mystery.

      I have a FB account and will try to post a few photos there also. We’ll see how it goes.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I’m so sorry to hear about your house! I think it’s incredibly rude of your sellers to back out at the last minute; I’ve never heard of that before. But enjoy your trip! It sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to hear (read) all about it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Well, that is a big, fat, disappointment for sure! I’m sure you were anticipating two months of freedom from any home concerns, so I can fully appreciate the turn that has now taken for you both.

    I am confident that ‘this to shall pass,’ however, that doesn’t mean you can’t have your moment to grieve the sudden change in events!

    Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Tamara, I appreciate your characterization of ‘grief’, because that is what it felt like (still feels like to some degree), disbelief, anger, frustration, blame, acceptance – it’s all there. Life without the responsibility of a home was appealing, if only for a little while. Are you guys traveling? What’s up?

      Like

      Reply

      1. I’m sorry to read about the home not going through. I haven’t shared this yet, but we put an offer in on a small home in Arizona to use for visits and vacation. Without going into detail, Hubby flew down for the inspection which showed a lot of plumbing leaks, and a host of infrastructure issues. We had to back out. It was sad but we couldn’t take on an old home with that many problems. In no way am I suggesting anything was wrong with your home, but buyers are being careful. We’re tabling our idea for later.

        In any case, your cruise sounds amazing, Suzanne! No idea what OP is. 😳 I look forward to seeing your photos from the trip

        Like

      2. We moved closer to the beach in 2023, and 2024 was all about remodeling. But, with that behind us, we are equal parts enjoying our new location (walk to the beach and back almost daily 🙂) and making travel plans. We leave in a few weeks for an Oceania cruise to Caribbean, then to Iceland this summer. We will also be visiting Tennessee quite a bit, as our daughter, son in law, and granddaughters are there currently.

        You and Malcom are welcome to visit us any time! We’re near Salt Creek Beach in S OC.

        Like

      3. Tamara, this is good to hear. I am glad you guys took a step back, and not a complete hault to travel. Iceland in summer sounds wonderful. We are thinking Pacific Northwest/Alaska. Malcolm’s best friend just moved to Brentwood, which is about a half hour from Nashville. Are your kids near there? We’d love to meet up somewhere in the world. Any thoughts of resuming your blog???? please…you have too much to say to keep it all to yourself.

        Like

      4. Hi Terri, I’m sorry you had to go through that. You get your hopes up that you’ve found the right place and then take a deeper look. I would never take on an older home with issues at this stage of life. You were smart to walk. Fortunately, that is what the inspection phase is for. We have reviewed all the possibilities and know that was not one of them since we were long past that part of the process. Everything was smooth sailing up to the end. It had to have been something personal. At least, that’s what makes the most sense.

        We look forward to sharing lots of photos. Two weeks and counting…

        Like

      5. I did just recently resume my blog. I believe it’s linked/embedded in my Name here in these Replies. 🙂

        My daughter and family are very near Brentwood, TN. They are in Franklin.

        Like

  11. Chuckster's avatar Chuckster

    Your post echoes your disappointment, I feel for you. In my lame philosophy; ‘When the tide turns rough, ride the wave—there’s treasure in the wreckage.’ 🏄‍♂️ cowabunga!

    Like

    Reply

  12. The business of selling and buying homes is so stressful. How disappointing to have that follow the actual final walk through. Sorry it didn’t work out this time. You’ve got your great trip to look forward to. I’d be tempted to leave it off the market until you are back. Good luck whatever you decide.

    Like

    Reply

  13. Oh, no! What a disappointment, and just before your trip! I think a lot of people are feeling uneasy about their finances and interest rates right now… maybe that’s the reason. Still, I’m so sorry that it happened to you.

    Have a fabulous trip… I look forward to sharing your journey vicariously. Love your new haircut too!

    Like

    Reply

  15. Hi, Suzanne – I am so sorry that the sale on Malcolm’s mother’s home fell through at the last moment. Hopefully, the right buyer is just around the corner. I look forward to following the posts of your upcoming vacation.

    Like

    Reply

  16. Very disappointing, but I love your attitude: ‘When life hands you lemons, make lemonade….or go on vacation.’ I hope you find new buyers soon, it looks a lovely house. Meanwhile, enjoy your trip!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Sarah, the vacation was to be a celebration of entering a new chapter of our lives, but now it will be to escape the reality of what just happened. Maybe that’s a bit overly dramatic 🙂 but at three days in, my emotions are still all over the place. Thanks for stopping by.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Once you get away you’ll get some perspective on it and be able to park the problem until your return, I am sure. But it’s really tough to have someone pull out of the deal so late in the process, I feel for you 🤗

        Like

  18. I’m sorry to read about the buyers walking away from the deal, but it happens. We’ve had a similar situation and eventually the right people showed up with cash even. I hope your vacation planning and subsequent adventures while on vacation keep you occupied! Happy St Paddy’s Day ☘️

    Like

    Reply

  19. I’m so sorry to hear about the sale-failure. But also glad to hear you can focus on your huge trip! I cannot imagine being away for that long, and visiting so many places. The planning of it must have been monstrous! (sorry to say I have no idea what OP is either). Safe travels.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Pat, that’s because you are still a youngster. OLD People (that’s us) travel a little differently than younger, more mobile folks. Planning a trip is part of the fun and we love sorting out ‘where to next and how to get there’. Malcolm loves the logistics of it all and does a good job managing the details. Hopefully, our attention to the planning stage will pay off for this trip. Have a great week.

      Like

      Reply

  20. Oh noooo!!! I’m so, so sorry to hear that your home sale fell through. We had three buyers renege before we closed on our home in Apalachicola a couple of years ago. It was so stressful, especially since there was no good reason other than that the buyers made emotional decisions that they couldn’t follow through on. I can’t imagine having the sale fall through when you were ready to turn over the keys! The house looks great, and it will sell…meanwhile, it’s a blessing that you’re settling into your new place and don’t have to endure the showings.

    Your trip to Lisbon sounds like good medicine. And your new haircut looks great on you. 🙂 (PS I’m a year older than you are, but I have no idea what OP means. lol.)

    Like

    Reply

  21. OLD PEOPLE 🙂 I do remember that you endured a few fails before the sale happened. We still can’t believe it went down the way it did. The house looks good, but I went over today and painted the den. The old buyers didn’t seem to mind that it was green, but I thought it was off-putting. Besides, physical labor is good for a cluttered mind… Have a great week.

    Like

    Reply

  23. Suzanne, I’m sorry the home sale fell through at the last moment. I hope you have a wonderful trip and blog about it when you can. Your itinerary sounds fantastic. Have a wonderful week ahead.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  24. Suzanne,

    What a kick to the gut…so sorry. I built homes for twenty years and had several similar experiences, and they’re not fun–especially when I had already spent the money in my head. You won’t have a problem, it will sell, I’m confident. Helen and I love the Amaryllis. we have carried one across the country with us that has bloomed three times. Love the new “do.” Have a great week and we’re looking forward to reading about the upcoming trip. Joe

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to patwdoyle11 Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.