Crossin' One Off the List

The past couple of weeks have been all about trying to remove some things from my life that have been stressing me out. "Stressing" is not actually the right word for what I've been doing lately... I think a good therapist would have several much more appropriate terms to use for what's been goin' down over here -- but "stressing" will do for now.

Sorry --- I digress. No. 2 on my list has been the house.

I've been getting about six phone calls and four letters A DAY regarding the house... it's completely overwhelming. No two people at the bank holding my mortgage seem to know what's up. I have faxed 100 sheets of paper, the same lists and worksheets and letters, to 100 different people (some of them twice!) and NO ONE seems to know what's up.

I've applied for assistance programs that I don't make enough money to qualify for... applied for short sale status TWICE and am still getting letters from the bank's lawyers telling me that I need to vacate the house because they're coming for it. The only thing making any of this bearable has been knowing that I'm not in it alone.

But, this month, things got a bit brighter.

I got the go-ahead for the short sale, which means I can sell the house for less than I owe the bank if they approve the amount. I was freaking out about having to pay the difference, but I don't have to... HUD does it. But, that difference becomes earned income for me... which I was also freaking out about because I'll be paying my taxes from last year for the next decade and can't take on more...

Then, my accountant told me about a miracle called The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 -- which, in a nutshell, says that you cannot be taxed on income earned through the foreclosure/short sale of your home. I CANNOT BEGIN to explain how huge this is!!!! I almost can't believe this is something the Bush administration created.... the only redeeming moment of the entire eight year run!

So, I've been feeling better about the house stuff... I'd long ago accepted the fact that my credit will be hosed forever... partially because of the house, mainly because of the business -- and I know that the majority of the sane general public considers this to be horrific... but I don't. The only thing that matters is that for the past few weeks, when I wake up in the middle of the night freaking out about things, the house has not been one of them.

And then, someone made an offer on the house.

Someone made an offer on the house..... that the bank accepted yesterday.

I met with Richard, my lovely, New Zealand-accented Realtor this morning and signed another 100 sheets of paper... he says that if things go according to plan that we could be all closed up before the end of the month. Like.... in weeks. WEEKS!!!!

I will not be breathing for the next several days until things come together a bit more solidly... the shit could still hit the ol' fan at this point, but Richard says that even if things go south with this seller, that we shouldn't have a problem selling quickly because we now know what the bank will accept for the house.... which I will visually interpret as this: $ --- only imagine it several times smaller.

I won't be making any money on the sale ----- but I don't care! Not one bit! I'll take my three-ish years of horrible credit and glorious CLOSURE and be on my merry way... thank you very much!

So please (pretty, pretty please)... if you have some spare time and empty hands over the next few days --- cross your fingers for me. I'll take crossed legs, toes and eyes, as well --- whatever works! Just please send some good thoughts my way....

For the first time in such a long, long time, I feel like I might be catching a much needed break.... and just the thought of it has had me smiling all day.