And it's Sham-Wow time again . . .

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

We put our home back on the market Monday, and this evening we got a call from the agent; she's showing the house at 1:00 tomorrow. So, there went my relaxing evening in front of the fire. Instead of taking it easy, I've been on my knees Sham-Wowing the floors. I am NOT complaining, however, because we want to sell this place. I'm smiling. I love to clean the floors. Really.

We had "sticker shock" when we relisted the house. The crash in the real estate market has finally reached Montana, particularly in the "recreational area property" sector, which is how our home is classified. Last year when we listed it, the appraisal came in at $375,000. Last week, after the new appraisal, the value was set at $329,000. Did you feel my pain?

The price of land out here is down, the price of houses is down, the market is down . . . but I'm not giving up hope. Our dream of fulltiming is still alive and well. In fact, next week we're taking a load of our stick house things to auction. When this place sells, we want to be ready to go.

Carolyn

[hookman]

Good luck we hope the first people buy and you get on the road and the next time we make Q you are there.
Don & Mary Ann

[HamRad]

Wayne and Carolyn,
Thank you for keeping us up to date. And best of luck with your house. Sorry to hear that the prices are down. I hope you don't get too upside down. Like Don said I hope the first folks to see your place end up buying it.

See you in Q next year.
Dennis and Mary Kay

[Trailer Trash 2]

Good luck Carolyn and Wayne on the sale of the home, and wow on the decline in price, it's same here for us in Calif, it did start to pick up a bit, but how long that last, who's to say.

[bjj5633]

Good luck selling the house,If it makes you feel any better the decline is even worse here in mass.

[Waynem]

you had kept your house clean you would not have to be slaving trying to pretty it up.

You know I'm just kidding.

I hope your first trip is to Texas. It would be nice meeting y'all and getting you to practice your old speech patterns, y'all!

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

Saturday: Two hours until showing time, and the snow is coming down. On the positive side, the weather will give our Blaze King stove a chance to show how it heats the entire house effortlessly. Also, the folks coming to see the house are avid ice fisherman, and through the flakes you can see about 30 ice houses on Clark Canyon Reservoir from our front deck. I wonder if I could get a couple of those fishermen to manage to pull out some 5+ pound rainbows or browns as the prospective buyers drive by? Hmmmm . . .


Carolyn

[bob n pam]

You know timing is everything - the fishing I mean! Good luck on selling your house and joining us here on the road.

[Waynem]

Alright, it's now Sunday.

What happened? Was it a sale?

[simonsrf]

Are you going to retire as soon as the house sells?

Sorry, but I got behind on your plans.

We're sitting out here in the boonies thinking about how nice our lives have become since retiring and finding our passion....hope you can come join us!

Let's see, where did I put those sham-wows?....ah never mind.

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

No sale yet, Waynem (but wouldn't it have been wonderful if they'd been ready to sign something yesterday?). And yes, our first trip will be to Texas, at least that's the plan. I probably need to brush up on my drawl, before I cross the state line.

About keeping the house clean: I told Wayne after we came home from hiding out while the house was being shown that we should just move into the Monty and live there until the house sells. Seems like that would be easier than dealing with snow, slush, mud, etc., that comes in the house every time we open the door!

Carolyn

[Waynem]

Practice makes for good results, so practice, practice, practice. Stay in the Monty.