12.2

She Says: Jason still hasn't called a plumber... I had turned of the hot water valve which stopped the dripping, but he turned it back on.

Chapter 12

She Says: Two showings in one day...things are looking up.  Early tree pollen storm not keeping people away!  Not seeing buds on my fabulous azaleas just yet. Maybe we're receiving positive chi from my cousin, their house is under contract in Florence...

He Says:

Dripping Sink Haiku:
Drippy sink, I hate
People buy house with no drip
Pay man to fix. Done.

Chapter Eleven

She Says: I have been here before and won't again if I become a renter!

I have a history of trying to do basic plumbing repairs, only to end up needing emergency plumbing. The positive is I contributed to the local small business plumber economy and on another occasion initiated my contributions to Lexington Lowe's bottom line (three days of clinical support to install the garbage disposal).

Now, we have a simple leaky faucet... if I only had the right size hex wrench to remove the faucet handle so I can identify if I have a compression, disc, sleeve cartridge or rotating ball faucet. Yes, I am in over my head, but I am sure the part is less than $5. And I don't have the right size tool to let me try!

Jason is worried that I will continue to try. All I really want is the sink to stop leaking when people come look at the house. If I was the client, I would think a leaky faucet was a tell tale sign about the house i general. In reality, it is just a worn seal, but... Will they try the faucet if I leave the water off? We will have to see how this one ends. Jason had fear in his eyes when I shared my false stat efforts and reminded me of the disposal adventure (at least he didn't bring up the toilet).

So yes, the house has been showing. Even had a agent come and preview today!

Think Jason finally has something to say!

Chapter Ten

She Says: Last week was a busy week for our house! Four showings and Stephanie's followup apparently people like it! But people aren't offering because people 1. need to sell their current house, 2. haven't even listed their house yet (????), 3. like it but lease doesn't end till June 1 AND is flooring in great room still available (again ???????, the skinny hardwoods are a rare valued find) and 4. need to sell their house first. So realistic people looking for new homes are in the minority (well except Jason & me). Our collard fairy fiend Andrea says the problem is our unique neighbors. One a car collector (he has had more cars) and another has an outdoor living space in the carport (friend Linda did too, so it is a new trend). I still believe that Shalimar is the best street with the best neighbors! I have never said we aren't like very other street in every neighborhood with a neighbor or two that all the residents wish would do something differently. With all this busy action Stephanie is confident something will happen soon and is doing another open house tomorrow.

Bing search for open house sign produced this sign!www.oliversearles.com.

With all this busy action Stephanie is confident something will happen soon and is doing another open house tomorrow.  Selling ones home... No doubt it is a tough market. There was an article several weeks ago about the surge in smaller local agencies. So, is there a trend to move from national agencies to local? The article insinuated that local agencies are selling more but national still has perks not to be overlooked. I don't know and don't think anyone does about the "new" realestate market and the marketing strategies of the 21st Century. I do know you don't even have to actually go to the house to get a tour. All houses now have a photo gallery.  Friends Bart and Maria's agent has taken it one step further and put together a narrated movie with soundtrack of their house! They too want to return to their former urban condo lifestyle and are seeking to sell their beautiful golf course home at Longcreek Plantation. Check out their amazing house and snazzy video at http://midlandshomeshow.com/gs2/index2.htm

Do these videos really help market a house? Bet someone will research that... Also wonder if there has been research on how many not so honest people are visiting the online photo galleries for other purposes...?

Thursday Jason joined me (took a night of from "fight" club!), Bart and Maria to attend First Thursday on Main.  It was GREAT!!!! We didn't see it all, but enjoyed the evening so much we agreed to attend future First Thursdays on Main! With beautiful weather (81 degrees!!!) we started out at the pricey but chic Rooftop Lounge at the Sheraton. Then wandered down Main Street looking for the stone lizard Maria had photographed (Jason found one, but it wasn't the one so keep looking next month). Next stop was the new Wine Down on Main establishment. A young Marlon Brando look alike served us, he will look up Brando on Wikipedia (he thinks he has heard of him).

Then on to getting some culture. We visited Anastasia & Friends to see The Painted Violins. This is an exhibit/fundraiser for the SC Philharmonic. Jason said hello to Morihiko Nakahara (he to understands the need to replace the Essex with a digital piano if we are moving to Main Street where he too lives). The highlight of the evening was at Tapp's Art Center. It had a mix of resident artist work and a show of high school student work. Diverse, impressive and beautiful stuff. Please take note that the Fountain Room will open for lunch in early April. I never visited the Tapp's lunch bar prior to its closing... I don't know if soup and cornbread will be on the menu,  but will check it out! Jason and I concluded our evening at Villa Tronco, Jason had salmon (surprise) and me yummy sea bass!