One day about a year ago I got a call from a friend. He called and started the conversation out "Lynne you need to downsize. All your kids are grown, you're home alone, all you need is a one or two bedroom condo over in Hampton..." My reply was "Hi! How are you doing today? is a good way to start a conversation." He completely ignored my statement and continued on with what he had to say.
He really was adamant and continued on with his rant. He said I'm not playing. Women with grown children are selling their homes, moving into a one bedroom condo to make sure their grown children know there is no room left at the inn. He said you need to let your grown children go. Of course I'm not being as expressive as he was with all the big four letter words. Then to add insult to injury he went further to say the only reason I was holding on to my home was because I was still in love with my ex. At that point the conversation took a big turn. I told him if it is one reason I won't make it into heaven it would be because of the way I feel about my ex.
Well, I got a call from my friend yesterday. He was wanting to send me another buyer referral. The last buyer referral he sent me ended up being referred out because the guy was a direct replica of him but a more subdued version of him and my buddy must have coached him on how to lead me along and then press my button. I told him once if I ever came into a transaction where it wasn't a win-win I would walk away. If your teacher handed you an "A" paper why would you swap it out for a "C" or "D" paper. He called me laughing into the phone. He couldn't even get any words out that day. I acted like I didn't even know what he was laughing about.
He always tells me "you sold my house for too less and you made me pay to much for the one I moved in to". Next, he looks dierctly at me and goes into this loud deep laugh and smiles from ear to ear. He is just so adorable when he smiles so unbeknowgst to him it really softens the blow for me to have to listen to his criticisms of me.
He called me just yesterday and I just couldn't say to him hold-up, wasn't I the agent who got less than you wanted for your last home and put you into one you feel you paid too much for? No I dare not go there. He is on top of his own business moreso than anyone else's. He is one of those clients that once he decides on the home it is smooth sailing from there.
His children are grown and he is all alone. He says he recently purchased a dog. He wants to buy a bigger home in a subdivision close to him - almost double the size of the house he has now. Oh and by the way he called me a few months ago and he was looking to downsize to a condo and I sent him some listings and never heard back from him. I did not press the issue because I know there are certain things that won't be in a condo to fit his demanding lifestyle (but I didn't tell him that). I think about the features he most enjoys about his home and his love to interact freely with his neighbors - a closed door environment without his favorite exterior features would just make him miserable. A bigger home with an inground pool in the backyard and starting the home search after football season is the ticket.
We were friends prior to my ever dealing with him on a professional level. Unfortunately, I don't get the opportunity to know all my clients or anyone as well as we know and have interacted with each other. But I do really enjoy hearing from him from time-to-time if it is just when he feels he needs to call me up and give me a reality check.
Downsizing is a big decision. Especially when you have children, grandchildren, etc. who are accustomed to visiting you at your home. I do agree with him that I do need to downsize - the home maintenance is getting to be a bit much when you're responsible for every room and the exterior - no more children around to do chores. I find myself using the extra rooms as junk storage areas. I spent last weekend cleaning out two rooms. The fact of the matter is I would really love to downsize but with the economy being the way it is right now I just feel safer staying where I am. However, there are some great temptations to downsizing right now, homes are more affordable than ever! There is a condo for sale in the community I narrowed down my selection to that is now much more affordable than it was previously. Even though the condo fees are still high. Right now I've been in the same home for over 15 years and it's only a few blocks from my mom, less than 10 minutes from my daughter and I really know the area. The condo is on the other side of the water and it will be having to familiarize myself more with another area. The upside is since I won't have mom's cooking as often, some of my favorite restaurants are located there. Maybe I should work on a spreadsheet highlighting the pros and cons of downsizing with some weighted factors as to what is most important to me to help me make my decision.
I think along with the cracks I have settled in my home. I would have already downsized if I were not so settled in. The next time my friend calls I think I'll tell him I am going to downsize once I find a husband to replace my ex. Then it's going to be a whole different conversation.
