Friday 10 August 2007

Let the show begin


Had a talk with the home stager today. I was expecting her to be all pretentious; turning up her nose at our very humble abode, while then preceding to pick the shit out of it, after which she might nominate our modest digs for a spot on Canada's Most Sad Arse Interiors...or something along those lines, but alas, I was rather wrong.

The stager was very thankful that ours was a vacant look problem, rather than hordersville.
Basically she told us that she could work with most of what we already had, move our lounge suite and dining table around a bit, add a kitchen table, coffee table here, some side tables there, lamps and a couple of trinkets and "done". I was really surprised. She was rather complimentary really - wanted to know who chose our paint colours - "moi", I said, batting my eyelashes. She reckoned they were great. Also said she wouldn't change a thing upstairs, and even gave some good practical hints for when selling a home; such as always remembering to put out white towels, because it make the room look cleaner; take all personal effects of the bathroom counters, dunny lid down; remove everything from magnetic from the front of the fridge; let the drapes hang to the sides, rather than tying them back, for an updated look, etc...

The cost for her services seemed very reasonable too, so I think we are going to go for it. I might even post a before and after picture when it is done, so you can see what you think - (silence will suggest "me no like"). Anyway, I just hope ME like, and potential buyers like!

We might even put the house on the market a week earlier to get a head start before the new school year stalls proceedings a little, but then again, there is a baseball grand final taking place on our street next weekend, so that might not make the best impression...we make the final decision tomorrow.

I am actually feeling a little nervous about the big sale. I think because once the house is sold, then we are officially moving back. In a way, up until the official sale of our home, we always have the option of changing our minds...not that we are in two minds about our decision to move back. I guess it is more the fact that our Canadian experience will officially be over, and as I have said before: I already fear that I will wake up one morning and think, "hey, did that really happen? Did I really live in Canada for nearly 3 years?" It seems I am already dreading that moment, and I feel I am trying to scramble at something intangible that will hold this experience in me, but I am not sure what it is that I can take or grasp; souvenirs and stuff don't quite cut it. So how DO I absorb the essence of my experience here, and hold it forever? Perhaps I already have, time will tell.

4 comments:

shishyboo said...

i think you've captured a lot of what it is to really live in Canada in what you've written here in your blog and done a beautiful job of it.
Can't wait to see before and after photos when the atger is finished. Love the tips for selling the house too, good ideas even for when you've got guest coming over etc.

shishyboo said...

oh poo me and my dodgy typing

atger = stager

trust me not to proof read

Kathleen said...

shishy is right...you've captured so much of your time in Canada in your blog....be sure to print them off so you won't unintentionally lose them. You could turn your posts, with photos, into a wonderful scrapbook of your time there. But I'm thinking it's not something that will ever leave your heart...it's become a part of you.
Will look forward to the photos of the house. Really wish you luck on a quick and easy sale!

Tracey said...

Note to self: Buy white towels!

The others are right. Your experience there is in your heart, and you have shared it so beautifully with us. Kathleen is right.. you should publish it somehow!