Its come to the end of October. This time last year we were floating around Italy and France having just completed riding the L'Eroica cycling event in Chianti. This year we find ourselves in another exciting situation as we draw closer to the auction date of the sale of our house - November 14.
As I write this post, we are about to have our third open house inspection. After the first two, we've had a total of 36 inspections (some would have be neighbours) with 3 repeat inspections, 4 expressions of interest and 9 requests for section 32s. The activity looks promising however you can't help feeling anxious. We'll know more with another three open for inspection days to go.
It was 33 years ago that we walked into this house and knew it was for us. We were married in the backyard, surrounded by close friends and family. Three kids grew up in the house. Pets are buried on the property.
Melbourne - Our Home by the Bay will possibly cease to exist as we know it. Mentone will become a distant memory once sold. The bay will be replaced by trees, fields, forests and hills. Our pets will be the animals and birds of the bush.
We have been asked if we'll be sad to move on after all the work we've put into the house - maybe a little but this is softened by the exciting prospect to the next stage of our future.
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| We moved into our home in Mentone in the early 80s. It was almost original from the day it was built in 1929. Most of the original features remained. Certainly the kitchen was. |
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| Several years later we started the renovation - extension work and the kitchen was demolished along with the bathroom. In the background of this photo is the old claw foot bath. |
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| You can see why it needed replacing - there was much mildew and rotting of timber. |
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| You've seen this photo before - The house has gone from whites/cream to heritage greens and back to beachside whites again. |
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| This one of our first full paint jobs in the greens. |
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| We followed the theme inside with a wallpaper frieze under the picture rail. |
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As is is today - with two weekends before auction.
Bright and uncluttered. |
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| Before |
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| And after the sitting room |
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| Before |
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| And after - the dining room |
PS: Another 19 groups came thru Saturday with two groups for their second visit - Hmmm, what should we think?
You only need one buyer. Although with an auction sale it helps if you have several potential buyers to bid against each other to bump up the price. Very few houses in the UK or France are sold at auction.
ReplyDeleteGood luck...
2 or 4 bidders will be good Gaynor. Auctions, particular in our area are common and very successful as we have great facilities, close to the beach and have great schools and shopping for young families..
DeleteGood luck with the house sale.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vera - BTW, Sue and I think you both are amazing with your life change. Many of the blogs we read about their move to France have inspired us with our move to rural Victoria (Australia).
DeleteHi, The new paint colour certainly allows the doors to take their deserved focus. Very light-filled space.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Janine
Thanks Janine - its our third revamp over the 33 years we've lived here. Time for a new project.
DeleteWow it looks so much bigger now with the lighter colours. You have done a brilliant job. Good luckDiane
ReplyDeleteThat's what agents tell you - make it look bigger but I like clutter.
DeleteThanks for your good wishes. We'll know in 2 saturdays. Say hello to Nigel.
Mentone will NEVER become a distant memory once sold. If you were married in the backyard and the children and dogs grew up in the house, you will love reliving the good times. Joe and I often start sentences with "remember when we were living in Hertfordshire..." or Perth.
ReplyDeleteJust as well you took all those photos for your blog :)
Hels, you seem to be someone that hasn't let moss grow around you. Love reading your blogs as I learn so much.
DeleteHhaha..
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice past !
What a nice past !
ReplyDeletehttp://lombokwandertour.com
You did a fantastic job of making the house saleable - a "move straight in".
ReplyDelete