Hooo, boy—in terms of monumental life changes, this one feels even bigger than announcing Ellis was on the way. But, dear friends, the time has come for me to bid a heartfelt farewell to my first home. This house, which has been the backdrop to so many memories and projects, is now officially sold. The decision to sell, and the actual transaction itself, transpired with astonishing speed. In fact, it all happened so quickly that I barely had a moment to gather my thoughts, let alone compile those handy “house selling tips” posts I had always envisioned sharing. I had naively assumed there would be ample time during the waiting period for the house to sell. Ha… life had other plans, and it unfolded much faster than anticipated.
A New Chapter Unfolds: Reflections on Selling My First Home (Part 1)
Today, I’m sharing a very extensive post with you, designed to rehash these whirlwind last few months of big news and provide a comprehensive explanation. I literally paused mid-sentence in that first paragraph, then realized the sheer volume of information to convey and added “Part 1” to the post title. I’m betting we’ll all need a coffee break, perhaps a nap, and definitely a glass of wine before we reach the end of this narrative. But don’t worry, I won’t leave you in suspense; I’ve written out everything before hitting publish, so Part 2, complete with all the listing photos and juicy details, will be ready for you to dive into immediately. Given that this kind of post delves into deeply personal news rather than instructional tutorials, I’m simply going to lay out all my thoughts, a true brain dump, right here on the blog today. So, let’s get started, shall we? There are so many questions I’m eager to answer and experiences to share:
- Exploring My Emotions: How I truly feel about this monumental change.
- The Secrecy Unveiled: Why we chose not to share this significant news in real-time.
- The Genesis of a Decision: How and when we decided it was time to sell our beloved home.
- Unseen Transformations: A peek at the house projects that occurred but haven’t yet been featured on the blog (a personal satisfaction check!).
- The Grand Reveal: A full showcase of the professional listing photos.
- The Sale Story: A detailed recap of the entire selling process.
- Our Current Abode: Where we are living right now (this part is genuinely exciting!).
- Future Horizons: Where our next big move will take us.
- The Blog’s Future: What this means for upcoming projects and DIY posts (spoiler alert: this is definitely NOT the end of the blog; I promise, my trusty paintbrush is never far from reach!).
Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Selling a Beloved Home
Internally, my feelings on this subject are a complex tapestry of bittersweet nostalgia and an overwhelming wave of excitement for what lies ahead. There’s just so much happening—*gestures wildly around*—that if I were to jot down each fleeting emotion on a Post-it note as it traversed my mind over the last couple of months—from deciding to list, preparing, actually listing, selling, and finally moving—that stack of notes would surely stretch to the moon and back. It’s truly been an emotional odyssey, a testament to the deep connection I’ve always had with this special place.
This first house isn’t just a structure; it’s the very foundation upon which I built this entire blog. It’s the subject of well over a thousand posts—perhaps even two thousand if I include all the drafts and half-finished ideas! It’s the sacred space where my DIY journey began, gently (and at times, awkwardly) tumbling me into what I now wholeheartedly consider my dream job. More than that, it’s the house where Charlie and I started our little family, and where she lived out her entire life. It’s the house my Granny visited, leaving her indelible mark. It’s the home we brought Ellis back to, creating cherished first memories. It’s the place I’ve meticulously torn apart and painstakingly put back together again, always keeping a permanent mental space reserved for its ongoing “to do list.” And now, all of it is changing. In fact, it *has changed*. The present tense has gracefully shifted into the past, and a brand new adventure is now unfurling before us. This past summer and fall have been nothing short of nuts, filled with sleepless nights, heartfelt tears, an inexplicable weight loss despite excessive eating, and countless other stresses. But looking back from where I sit today, every single moment, every challenge, every emotion, was incredibly, profoundly worth it.
Many of you may recall me affectionately nicknaming my home the “Goldilocks House”. Mentally, and as I’ve poured my thoughts onto this keyboard for years, it was more often just “the house.” When you’re constantly remodeling and living in your home, you don’t typically refer to it by a formal name, do you? But I knew that someday, I might need a distinct way to differentiate it once “the house” referred to a new dwelling. The children’s story theme was practically begging to be used (ahem, Ugly Duckling House…), so I officially christened it “Goldilocks.” The name felt like a perfect fit for a home that inspired countless projects, many of which required at least three attempts before they were truly “just right.” Not a single room in this house was left untouched, and multiple renovations occurred in many spaces as our needs evolved from a single gal’s abode to a vibrant family of three.
The Strategic Silence: Why We Waited to Announce Our Move
While I have an abundance of captivating listing photos and “preparing-for-the-listing” snapshots to share as part of this story (you can scroll down to those if you’re eager!), I first wanted to address a question that many of you might be asking, right after the initial shock of “WHAT?!?” That question is: WHY didn’t I say anything until after the house had actually sold?
The short answer is simple: I didn’t want to jinx it. In the world of real estate, nothing is truly certain until every last signature is dry on the closing documents. The significantly longer answer delves into a past experience that taught me a valuable lesson. Does anyone remember that time years ago when I excitedly announced on the blog that I was moving for a new job, ONLY TO NOT MOVE? Those of you who were following my journey back then might be chuckling to yourselves right now, but from my perspective, that was a pretty cringe-worthy moment in time that I deeply regretted. It served as a stark reminder: when you’ve been archiving your life online for over a decade, sometimes even the best intentions behind super-fun announcements can unexpectedly come back to bite you, making you incredibly reluctant to ever share premature news again.
Learning from the Past: A Premature Announcement’s Lesson
For those unfamiliar with that particular chapter, back in 2013-2014, I was navigating the final stretch of grad school while working in software. Picture a typical office environment with that cubicle-yet-open-concept floor plan – a daily grind often punctuated by the annoyance of co-workers with coffee breath and a perplexing inability to understand when to get off speakerphone (the answer, by the way, is always. You always get off speakerphone when sharing a floor with 50+ other people making calls, and there are no ceiling-high walls for privacy.) At this point, I was several years into my blogging journey, experiencing some modest successes with sponsors, and, in hindsight, on the very cusp of being able to fully commit to it solo. However, due to grad school commitments, I stuck with my corporate job until graduation.
Balancing a full-time job, a full-time academic program, and a burgeoning side hustle was utterly exhausting! It was stressful enough without compounding it by actively job-seeking or taking the plunge into self-employment. Then, to my surprise, a freelance writing gig I’d been doing for a few months blossomed into a legitimate full-time offer with a salary, and I accepted. A key component of this exciting offer, however, was the expectation that I would sell my house and relocate to be closer to their headquarters, located about two hours away in a different state. The prospect of a job that I might actually enjoy, one that would also allow me to purchase another fixer-upper, felt like an absolute win-win scenario. They were even willing to cover my relocation expenses. All I needed to do was wrap up my existing house projects over a few short months and then sell.
I quit my old job and eagerly started working for the startup from home, commuting two hours once or twice a week to bridge the interim. But as the months progressed, the startup began to shift its focus away from the role they had initially hired me for, diverting more resources to other ventures. While not at all unusual for new businesses to experiment, I felt increasingly less fulfilled. Then, payroll issues began to surface – not getting paid on time is a significant problem, and it served as a stark wake-up call. I realized that my new job was no more secure than working for myself. The risk felt substantial either way, so what, I pondered, was I truly afraid of? By myself, I could exert far more control over my destiny. And even though I *could* find a new house, the frequent commutes revealed that their headquarters (and the surrounding area) was simply not a place I wished to live.
So, I made the pivotal choice to stay exactly where I was and began actively seeking more freelance work. I had some savings set aside just in case, a prudent buffer. Within a few short months of dedicating focused time to my blog, I was not only making enough to cover my mortgage but also my new grad school loan debt. Nothing flashy, mind you, but I was getting by. And that, in itself, was actually… quite exciting and incredibly empowering. Nevertheless, the sour, giant *whoosh* noise from my blog’s big, unfulfilled announcement still echoed. I felt like I had quietly achieved what I truly wanted, but I had *completely* bungled the lead-up to it. This experience instilled in me a deep-seated caution, a vow never to speak too soon again.
Fast-forward to the present: I met Kyle, we had our wonderful baby Ellis, and we were still happily living in the same house. With countless more projects and a wealth of experience under my belt, I was quite contentedly immersed in the world of DIY. I still had plenty of exciting project ideas for the house, but then the unexpected happened: we had a profound “aha” moment while on vacation.
The Catalyst for Change: Our “Aha” Moment on Vacation
Back in April, some of our family members consulted a local realtor about the value of their home. Curious, and always with an eye on the market, I casually inquired about mine. I figured we might be interested in selling someday (but definitely not immediately, pffft, I thought to myself). I had poured so much time, effort, and love into improving the house over the years, and I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised to hear the realtor’s professional assessment of all the work I’d put in! Then, in June, we embarked on a trip out of state to housesit for other family members for a week. We returned home, and less than a week later, we were off to the beach for another week, this time with more family. The back-to-back trips were an unusual luxury, a rare extended break from our usual routines.
Having that much consecutive time away from the house—back to back—offered us an invaluable opportunity to truly step out of our everyday routine, something we hadn’t done in a very long while. I’m sure parents navigating the baby and toddler stages can probably relate wholeheartedly… but we were undeniably in a rut, and we hadn’t even fully realized it until then. I was in the midst of preparing to launch my cross stitch website, but the drastic change of scenery proved to be truly mind-altering. One unforgettable evening after dinner, Kyle and I took yet another leisurely stroll on the beach, the gentle waves lapping at our feet. Suddenly, almost simultaneously, we landed on the exact same thought: “This is what we dream of doing ‘someday’ when we have more freedom, more time, more money, etc…” But then, the profound realization hit us: we both work from home, we have incredibly flexible schedules, so why the hell weren’t we actively trying to make this our new normal right now?
When we finally returned home, it was as if we were seeing our house with entirely new eyes. Whatever deep-seated mental tether that had bound me to it for all these years—even as recently as earlier that very month—was no longer present. I felt an exhilarating readiness to find a new house and embrace all the new adventures it would undoubtedly bring. I may have just finished painting the dining room to transform it into my new office, but the liberating thought struck me: I could do that again somewhere else. I could leave. Aside from the practical work it would take to sell, I didn’t feel compelled to finish anything else just to feel like I had done enough. I could even bring myself to part with my cherished scrap wood pile if it meant moving us that much closer to our dream of living by the coast. And those of you who know me well, KNOW how much I adore my scrap wood.
The Art of Presentation: Home Staging Secrets Revealed
Armed with this newfound determination, I promptly made a phone call to our realtor to inform her that we were now keenly interested in accelerating our timetable for selling. Within just a few days, she efficiently set up a meeting with a professional house stager. The stager conducted a thorough walkthrough of our home and provided me with an extensive, detailed list of everything she believed I should finish or alter to command an optimal sale price. It was a substantial list, especially considering I was still mentally processing my gut feeling that it was time to list the house. Overall, her suggestions were a welcome blend of validation and surprising insights. Her primary advice, given how much I had personalized and updated the house over the years, was that a few rooms would benefit from being “re-un-personalized”—essentially, by removing strong colors and unique touches. To give you a clearer idea of the kind of expert advice we received, here are some of her most impactful ideas:
Essential House Staging Tips for a Quick Sale
- Declutter, Declutter, Declutter! This advice cannot be stressed enough. While you don’t need an entirely blank slate devoid of all decor and furniture, it is absolutely essential for each space to feel as expansive and open as possible. This allows potential buyers to easily imagine themselves living in each room, envisioning their own furniture and cherished belongings filling the space without feeling cramped or overwhelmed by someone else’s life.
- Neutralize Unfinished Painting: Any areas that hadn’t been painted yet, or were painted in strong, personal colors, needed to be transformed. The recommendation was to paint them a neutral color. While going with pure white isn’t mandatory, light and bright hues consistently convey a sense of cleanliness and freshness, appealing to a broader audience.
- Address Imperfections: We had a ceiling patch from a previous water leak that had since been professionally repaired, but an unsightly water stain remained. The stager strongly recommended painting over it. A visible water stain can be an immediate and significant turn-off for buyers, making them fear ongoing structural issues, even if none exist.
- Remove Personal Items: It’s crucial to remove all personal and family photos. This simple act allows a potential buyer to envision *themselves* and *their* family in the space, fostering a sense of ownership and connection rather than feeling like they are intruding on someone else’s home.
- Minimize Visible Toys: With a toddler, this can be challenging, but it’s important to nix too many toys left out in the open. Keep them neatly organized and stored away in cute storage totes or baskets, presenting a tidy and orderly living environment.
- Temporary Baby Gear Removal: For listing photos and the open house, remove baby gates and bumpers. While you don’t have to take them down for every single showing, these items can restrict the perceived flow and size of a room, making it less appealing in initial impressions.
- Curate Houseplants: Houseplants are generally a positive addition, adding life and warmth. However, houseplants that don’t look lush and healthy (like some of mine, which had dropped leaves) should be removed. They can inadvertently signal neglect or a lack of care.
- Streamline Multi-Purpose Rooms: If a room serves multiple functions, reduce the amount of furniture. The goal is to compose each room just enough so that buyers have a clear starting point to envision its primary use, but not so much that it stifles their own ideas or makes the space feel cluttered.
- Clear Kitchen Counters: Remove all kitchen counter appliances and decorative items. Bare, clear counters immediately make the kitchen appear larger, cleaner, and more functional, allowing buyers to see the potential workspace.
- Remove Hallway Shelving: Any shelving, especially in narrow hallways, should be removed. This creates a more open and spacious feel, improving sightlines and perceived square footage.
- Bathroom Refresh: Tuck everyday use items discreetly under the sink and replace shower curtain liners. Even if older liners are clean, new ones instantly convey a fresh, pristine bathroom, which is a significant selling point.
- Master the Art of Bed Making: In bedrooms, aim to make beds look as though they belong in a high-end department store display. This means at least four sleeping pillows, and folding back the comforter and top sheet by approximately a third of the bed’s length to create an inviting, luxurious look.
- Maximize Natural Light: Always open blinds and curtains for both photos and viewings. Natural light makes spaces feel larger, brighter, and more welcoming.
The Final Sprint: Transforming the Goldilocks House for Sale
Armed with the stager’s invaluable advice, I embarked on an intense, multi-week sprint to meticulously prepare the house for sale. To alleviate some of the immense pressure and save precious time, our realtor also connected us with a skilled handyman. He took on a few of those specific tasks that I was most likely to procrastinate on, such as expertly replicating the stippling pattern on a ceiling repair, securely re-anchoring the staircase railing, and patching some drywall imperfections in a closet. It’s always challenging for me to hire out work when I know I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself, but my personal to-do list was already overflowing beyond measure. I painted so, so many things in those frantic few weeks!
The new office, which had only recently been completed, was swiftly transformed back into a formal dining room. The guest room built-ins, which I had originally planned to paint a rich, deep green that I absolutely adored, were given a neutral facelift (the stager advised against bold colors, so I conceded and used a light, calming gray). I also diligently freshened up countless trim pieces, painted walls, and addressed every single detail on the stager’s comprehensive list. It was a whirlwind of activity, a constant hum of brushes and rollers, and a meticulous effort to present the house in its best possible light.
Maintaining our plans as a secret from social media during this flurry of activity proved incredibly challenging. I was busy DIYing as usual, but I had to be meticulously careful not to share anything that might drop too many hints. I figured that suddenly sharing photos of me painting things I had just painted a different color would be a pretty big tip-off that something out of the ordinary was happening! But before we knew it, the professional photographer hired by our realtor was knocking on our door, ready to capture the beauty of our transformed home.
A Decade of Dedication: Our Home’s Stunning Transformation in Listing Photos
Quite frankly, I am utterly amazed at the results the professional photographer achieved. I knew, intellectually, that I had poured countless hours, immense effort, and a decade of my life into renovating and improving my home. Yet, seeing it through someone else’s objective, artistic eyes, bathed in perfect light and expertly composed, offered an entirely new perspective. This wasn’t just my house; it was a masterpiece of hard work, dedication, and personal growth. And I sincerely hope you’ll join me in this little moment of shared achievement because, truly, y’all… I DID THIS:
A Look Back: The Original “Ugly Duckling” House Listing
I still harbor vivid, clear memories of the original listing photos I first saw when I was contemplating purchasing this house. Those images depicted a very different home, one that was truly an “ugly duckling” waiting for its transformation. To witness its journey come full circle like this, now graced with these exquisite new listing photos after all the years of painstaking work, leaves me with an enormous, profound sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s a powerful testament to the vision, resilience, and sheer elbow grease that went into making this house a home.
On the day the professional photographer came, I also made sure to capture a video tour of the house. I was unsure if I would still possess the energy—or the organized space—to take more video once we actually moved out, anticipating a chaotic mess of boxes and clutter as we packed and organized. Taking video of your home on the day it’s perfectly staged and ready for professional photos proved to be the ideal time, a decision that turned out to be exactly right. Because everything that followed the staging photos was when the stress meter didn’t just dial up to 11, it went off the charts!
What’s Next: The Open House and Beyond (Continued in Part 2!)
So, what came next after meticulously reviewing all the captivating photos, coordinating extensively with our realtor on showing schedules, and ensuring every tiny detail was absolutely perfect? It was finally time to actually begin showing the house to potential buyers. And that, of course, meant preparing for our first open house… GULP! Now that we’ve journeyed through nearly 3,000 words in this post, I think this is the perfect moment to take a breath and continue our story in Part 2!
Friends, I truly cannot thank you enough for already sticking with me through this enormous recap and for reading this far. There is indeed much more to this story, a narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns. But for now, this is a good opportunity to grab some fresh coffee, take a quick bathroom break, or perhaps squeeze in a little more work so your boss doesn’t suspect you’re just engrossed in blogs all day 😉… And as soon as you’re completely ready to delve deeper, you can seamlessly continue with the next thrilling part right here, where we’ll kick off with an unexpected twist that unfolded even before the open house could properly begin!