Back on the Roller Coaster

After interviewing 5 more realtors, we signed the (shortened) contract over the weekend.  This contract is for 90 days, so if things aren't working out....we are in a better place.  But we have a much better feeling about this realtor.  She has already proven to be a MUCH better communicator, is more aggressive, and seems to have more contacts with the community.

She suggested a home stager, which was $100 upfront, and will be reimbursed at closing.  The stager came yesterday, and as we went room by room, there were just some small changes she suggested.  Some rooms actually she had no suggestions and thought looked terrific.

Her biggest suggestion was painting the kitchen and office (dining room) the same color as the living room.  It wasn't because there was anything wrong with what was there....more under the category of "we tried this already and it didn't work."  It would lighten things, and when she saw the pillows I made for the patio....this sparked a whole idea that she ran with. However, implementation of this vision will be WORK.

We are shooting for Next Monday/Tuesday to have the photographer in to take pictures.  That means 1 week to paint.  And my kitchen is red.  Which means 1-2 coats of primer, and probably 2 coats of color.  That's 3-4 coats of paint.  My kitchen has 4 doors, 3 windows, and very little wall space.  Good for the amount of paint needed....not as good for the amount of cutting in that needs to be done.

Plus, this new vision would also require a new rug, some new curtains, and a few little things in the kitchen.  It would also mean moving a few things around in the Office and packing up a some things (as a whole....very minor....like maybe an hour of work).  The painting in the office is much easier, as it is largely empty now, and the wall space is larger (less cutting in). 

Basically....I would spend my week at work, come home....and paint.  I have a few things on the calendar this week that would have to be rescheduled (one cannot, so I will have to work around that).  Dinner will probably be lack-luster, as all my energy will be going into the house.  My kids will probably be pretty unhappy as the attention level will be even lower than usual (Bossy told me I need to stop doing dishes....wish I could!).

We e-mailed the realtor with all the ideas, and she is going to think about it to make sure that is the best use of time and money (estimating $500 for everything).  She gave me a number for a painter, just to price it out to have someone come in and do it (which would still require time off of work and assumes he is available on short notice). 

G-man doesn't think we should do it.  He is thinking more about how much I already have going on and doesn't want to add to it.  I said if it will help the house sell, then we might as well try it.  He countered with "what if we spend the money and you do all this work, and the house still doesn't sell?"  Fair point.  But this is our second shot at this, and I feel we need to do what is more likely to help. 

Just wanted to check in and say hi....since there is a good chance I won't be around much!!!!  Hope everyone is having a good summer so far (here in CT...it was 58 degrees last night, and only in the low to mid 60's for the daytime high....not very summery!!)