Last Saturday our Co-op Board interviewed our potential apartment buyer. We had thought she was the “perfect fit.” Yet somehow the Co-op Board had “Questions.” Needless to say it has been nearly a week and the attorneys are still ironing out the details. The stress of “Will she pass? Won’t she pass?” “Will they make her so mad she walks away?” and “Where are we going after this?” has managed to allow my immune system to serve up the very worst cold I can ever remember.

I never get colds. The last one I had was in 2006 when Mr. D and I got engaged at Jumby Bay. Within 48 hours of him popping the question I was as sick as could be. No kidding. There is something about big life changes that makes me sick. Literally.

All the legal mumbo jumbo, stress from the Co-op Board and doses of Nyquil don’t stop me from wanting to win the HGTV dream home. For me, day dreaming about winning is a *glimmer* of hope during a stressful time. It fits perfectly into our plan. Wouldn’t it be nice to sell as the NYC real estate market is ready to turn for the worst and WIN a beautiful home in sunny California?

Let’s face the facts: Yes, I will be sitting in front of the TV on Sunday night when the winner is ambushed. I am realistic and know it is quite unlikely that they’ll buzz our intercom. I saw a commercial the other night where HGTV announced “Millions have entered!” I only entered something like 6 times … Besides, the tip of my nose is all red from blowing it – it could be argued that my face is not TV ready!

We need to plan ahead. If the deal on our loft goes through, it is likely to happen quickly. The buyer has all cash (Can you imagine?!? Must be nice to live in her world!) and we won’t have to wait for her to get a mortgage. It is likely we will be in a new home by March 25th. YES. in 10 days we might be living and I may be working from somewhere else!

Fact is, a lot has changed since we put our apartment on the market way back in December. We decided to sell well before the Madoff scandal hit the finance industry. That ponzi scheme {through no fault of our own} changed our whole outlook and our future plans in New York City. Fact is, we are not even sure if we want to end up in NYC. Plummeting real estate prices, job loss, heightened crime rate and the fact that NYC is no place to raise children … You can’t walk a block without seeing porn or hearing the F-word. Enough said. Speaking of the F-word…

With our uncertain landing spot in mind Mr. D and I went to look at short-term furnished rentals. Talk about a *GLIMMER* of hope! The real estate market for rentals in NYC is in the dumps. The best place in the City is downtown near Wall Street. Real estate developers inundated the area with high-end, full amenity condos back when the economy was BOOMING. Now there are a bladzillion apartments (that were never purchased) for rent. The real estate agents were like piranhas! Offers being thrown out to us like “No Fee” “Free Rent” “Moving Stipend” but the best one is “Free breakfast, wine and cheese in the afternoon, and maid service with negotiable rent.” LOVE THAT!

Needless to say the next three months or so should be F U N! We plan to hang out somewhere cushy while we figure out our next move together. I am SOOOOOO EXCITED for our new adventure!

Stay tuned… BTW: If you are Mad at Madoff and want to Say so on your T-shirt – Get them by clicking here!

Posted by ABCD / Personal and Uncategorized