the waiting game begins

we had the first two showings of our (current) house today. the house doesn't officially go on the market until january 12, but yesterday our realtor sent out an email to other agents in her office to let them know our house was going to be coming onto the market and that she could arrange a private showing before then.

we spent the morning cleaning and straightening and scrubbing and cramming. the house looked fantastic but a little foreign. there were no signs of a family living there...no toys on the floor or half empty milk cups on the kitchen table or piles of junk mail on the counter.

one couple really liked our house. they had planned on putting an offer in on another house down the street this morning but wanted to see our house when their realtor showed them the email our agent sent. so they put off making the offer and came to see our house.

our realtor left us a message this afternoon that they really liked the interior of our house more than the other house but they didn't like the yard as much (it's smaller, which, ironically, is what sold us on the house) and they thought the hardwoods were pretty scratched (it's true. i had american cherry floors put down and several months later decided to get a 75 pound dog. did you know that american cherry is one of the softest woods?)

the couple is going to meet with their agent tomorrow and talk about their options. so tonight we sit and wait.

when we got home today i noticed footprints in the carpet; someone had a large foot and wears either hiking boots or work boots. it's strange to think that someone was walking around our house today, opening doors and drawers and peeking into the personal life that we try to shield from the neighbors with curtains and blinds.

i'm trying to remain philosophical about all of this. i remind myself that if the couple chooses our neighbors house (which has been on the market for two months), our neighbors will be very happy. and that sooner or later it will be our turn.