Well, in the final analysis I have decided to forego the flat real estate market here for now and rent my house instead of waiting for it to sell.  Very serendipitously, my daughter, who lives nearby, has branched out into property management at the same time.  So lucky me, I will be able to leave it in very good hands.  I'll reassess again the spring and can wait as long as a few years to sell if necessary. 

So I have firmly set my first day of fulltiming as October 1st and I couldn't be more excited! 

Like everyone at this point in the process I am up to my ears in tasks to be done.  And suddenly they all look like fun, am I weird or did anyone else experience that?  Like, I can hardly wait to start into that next closet and toss stuff!  (Of course I am doing the usual garage sale-moving sale-thrift store-local shelters-straight to the dump sorting.)

I bought my 'starter' RV last year -- it's a 25 foot class C and I think it will be great for me 'n' my dog to learn about the challenges of fulltime life in.  Maybe upgrade to something larger later, maybe not.

But gee, it's really happening!!!!!!!!

Vee

Way to go, Vee!! Looks like we'll be hitting the road about the same time. My shake-down trip will be at the Escapade and then thinking about going straight to SD to get my drivers license, then back home to finish up the stuff in the house.

I considered renting...briefly...for what I would get out of it, just not worth the chance. Too many folks tear up a house rather than take care of it like it was theirs (as hubby and I did for many years).

Like you, I got a 26' Class C to break myself & my pup into RVing. It has a lot of extras (Banks exhuast, HWH levelers, backup camera, heavy-duty chassis) so when the house sells I may or may not upgrade.

I also talked to my neighbor's mother yesterday....she's interested in furniture and household stuff so a lot of my miscellaneous things may sell to her as well as the last bit of furniture! WHOO-HOO!!!

Wow, another solo rv-er hits the road. Glad you got your rig and will be fulltiming soon. What fortune on the rental decision, hopefully you'll be able to ride out the market slump and maybe you'll find it a good supplemental income as well. Let us know how this works out for you. Happy trails!  Bago.

Thanks Judy, Donna and Bago. I am aware that I can expect to put money into repairs after tenants leave, so be it. I can rent for a little more than my mortgage payment and save the money, for now, in case there are major things I need to do before finally selling. And little nest eggs here and there are always good, I figure. And in the meantime, my equity builds. I'm thinking between the building equity and an eventual upturn in the market, I won't lose in the long run. So yes, the sorting and cleaning, whew! I bet I am a more fit 63 year old at the end of September than I was when September began, LOL. Anybody sell on ebay? Is it worth the effort, or do you think local sales do as well? Someone suggested I list my big stuff as well as my smaller stuff on ebay and advertise it as "must be picked up - no shipping available". Not sure if that works or not? Donna, I will miss the Escapade this year but I think it is very exciting that your first real 'cruise' will be to go to it. It's great to have a place to talk about how excited I am!!!! Vee

Hey Vee, glad to hear all is going well. I hear mostly good feedback about e-bay if one follows thier advice for selling and how to protect yourself. Sounds like you have alot of preperation ahead! I like hearing about everyone's preperation and eventual "getting on the road"  I hope it won't be too many more years before I can travel constantly in my rig. Keep us posted, best wishes. Bago.

Dear Vee,

My wife and I have done a LOT of selling on eBay and there are no easy answers as to is it worthwhile.  But here goes.

Rare items can do very well.  Odd items can also do well.  I sold a table saw, huge TV and a combination storm door -- all for local pick up only.  I like items that will be picked up.

Shipping stuff is expensive and no one wants to pay what it really costs.  And you only have a month to go.  Sandy and I sold about $4,000 of stuff earlier this year, but I dumpster dived for clean boxes and packaging materials at furniture stores (do you have time to do this?). 

Sometimes we lost money on shipping costs -- so the free materials really helped make it profitable.  Trust me:  you need to over protect what you ship as it will take a beating.

So -- all in all -- if you don't have a lot of time I'd opt for local sales.

Hope this helps.

George

I've sold on eBay off & on for years (way before they bought PayPal). It does up and down. The last couple of years they've been loaded with sellers doing it as a business and that makes it tougher for those of us just cleaning out the closets.

For me, I found a friend who isn't working, has a computer & camera and for a percentage of the net proceeds (after shipping & fees), is going to list my stuff for me. It's all "found money", so when it comes it I'll just enjoy it. I don't have time to do the selling nor the shipping and am in no rush, just need it out of the house, so this works for me this time around.

As already said, collectibles, antiques, and unique items usually sell well. Clothes at times do, if they are in good shape - name brands - harder to find sizes. I've sold a lot of used motorcycle gear, computer stuff, cameras & collectibles over the years. I've tried but not sold many unsed paperbacks (in groups), kitchen stuff and little knick-knacks (although I've bought my own share <g>).

It's a gamble and you will pay the listing fee regardless. You might want to see if there is an eBay reseller in your area. Some folks have started a business doing that, I live in too rural an area.

I've never done the local area on eBay for the same reason but have found a local online trader where I can list for free and have sold 2 antique dressers, a large painting, my dining room set, stationary bike, etc. that way.

Last year I did VERY well with 2 large yard sales....sold 85% of what I had in the sale and made over $2000. This year there has been no time to do the yard sales so I'm doing the best I can in other ways.....and giving away too much. <g>