Misha Day

On the second weekend, I managed to convince Dad to drop the price a wee bit on his house, and it SOLD. Such a relief. Closing is April 15th. 

I spent a weekend in Seattle. My stack of mail (held since my forwarding expired right after Mom's death - that's definitely why it escaped my notice) was epic. I spent a bit of time wandering around various north Seattle neighborhoods and pondering the listings. I didn't go to any showings, since I was still trying to mentally juggle the idea of renting out my condo and living in a larger place. 

I have since given that idea up as too ridiculously complicated. I don't have the energy to focus on trying to rent out my place, wait for that to happen, and then locate a rental, and without my condo sale for a downpayment, purchasing another would be a struggle. Especially with the new timeline

Last weekend I went down to Las Cruces with Dad to look at houses/condos for him, and the first day was a whirlwind. 10 houses, and finally sitting down, running the numbers and giving a call to my brother. Who was like: hold the fucking phone and look at the budget again. Dad has habits that are formed around a much larger income. So the lower his house payment is the better. (and 90% of the on-the-face-of-it-affordable places are older houses that would need major work. Dad had listed his requirements to one agent and he just can't afford those. He did realize that he only needs a small space. There was one townhouse that had an entire upper floor (and stairs for a 73-year old, even as spry as he is, are a no go) that he would never see. 

So Dru yelled, and we readjusted, and there's one prospect that we'd dismissed. We couldn't wrangle a showing that weekend, so I pushed for going the fuck home and getting a video tour later. 

And the timing has hit me. Dad will be unhoused for at least two weeks, more likely a month or two, since he's going for a VA loan, and those take longer to close. Now's the time (in two weeks) to head back to Seattle. Just suck it up, move back into my condo, and take Dad with me to help move in and give him something to do while his things are in storage. Ideally he'd put on offer in on something, and would just be waiting for closing. 

Yesterday was the results of inspections, so Dad's scrambling to get things fixed (some stucco, roof and sewer line patch) in two weeks. And I reminded him to get on top of moving - it'll probably be Uhaul pods rather than a moving truck - those can sit in storage for a month.

So of course I get a nibble on my condo. Not firm, not an offer, but I seriously had a moment yesterday when I just wanted to scream. NOW?! The listing expires in two days and I'll be back in two to three weeks and NOW?! I mean, yeah, I can pivot and there's rentals available (researched when I was looking at the aforementioned 'Just get me in a larger living space' scheme.) but I'm getting a little whiplashed. 

I'm looking forward to being back in the PNW, but I'm also looking forward to a damn nap.