We plan to use this blog not only to describe our travels but also the process of retiring and relocating abroad. The biggest step is selling our Raleigh home. Our first step was to make some important decisions: buy or rent in Malaysia (rent), buy condo in US (buy), and where in the US (Indianapolis). We decided to rent in Malaysia, because it gave us the maximum flexibility. We decided to buy in the US; multiple conversations confirmed that if we rented a storage unit we might as well sell everything now. We chose Indianapolis because it was cheaper than Raleigh (cost per square foot, taxes, and cost of living) plus Brendan lives there. Although Brendan said he did not want to be our property manager.
We were a bit slow putting the house on the market. We donated roughly 800 books to the library and a local bookstore (for a charity booksale). We thought about selling furniture on Craig's List, but we were impatient so bookcases, bureaus, and a sofa were also donated. We arranged to have the house painted and cleaned immediately after we left for Asia. As luck would have it a drought ended as soon as we left, so the power washing of the outside was delayed, delaying the house going on the market.
The house has been on the market for a month now. Very little traffic - slow market, plus internet cuts down on the curious. We are optimistic, but making the house look unlived in is a challenge. I have discovered an additional value of public libraries -they provide a place to hang out when the house is being shown.
I will try to update this blog weekly. Our plan is to leave Raleigh by the end of the year. Lots of things to do.
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