That is the question today, as I head south to visit my Dad and probably sell part of a chunk of land that has been in my family for more than 100 years. Why sell? Two reasons:
- Dad asked me to.
- I would be much more secure with the cash.
To say I have mixed emotions about the sale would be an understatement. But I know I can never live there. I am deathly allergic to the area. Until Clarinex, I couldn’t even visit for more than a day without getting sick. At the same time, this is as close as I have ever come to having roots. This land has always been there (well parts of it, anyway). But when Dad deeded the place to me, I told him it was still his for the rest of his life. I would do with it as he said. And now he has told me to sell.
Of course, he would never tell me what to do with it. “I never tell anybody what to do. I had too much of that when I was a kid.” But every time we have talked for the last moth, he has enumerated the benefits of selling, making it very clear that he wants me to make this sale happen. He wants it, and it seems to be in my best interest. What choice do I really have?
I reached agreement with the man who wants to buy. He bought my uncle’s portion of the homestead 12-or-so years ago. He has taken better care of it than my uncle did, and he has been a good neighbor for Dad.
Being an appraiser by trade, he brought documentation of every farm parcel that has sold within 30 miles of the place for the last 10 years. We sat down in my grandparents house, which he now owns, and I told him stories about the place. Then we got down to business. I believe we reached a fair settlement. It is less than I wanted but more than he did.
Now all there is to do is wait for closing and not let seller’s remorse depress me.
4 comments:
my grandfather left land to us in a strange manner. It goes to my mom but she's not allowed to sell it and then it goes to my sister and I upon my mother's death. All of us have considered figuring out a way to sell it as we know that none of us will ever live on it.
I hope that with the closing you don't have any significant remorse and are able to just hold the memories.
Vibes to you as you transition to life away from this piece of earth connecting you to your familial roots. Hugs for security as you embrace the change and allow the peace that will come from allowing the financial stability seep into your veins.
Take care
Thanks, Sam. That’s such a sweet blessing.
I'm thinking of you as you deal with this decision.
Just remember it's our weird cultural idea that we can actually buy and sell land. You will always be connected to that place, whether you legally own it or not.
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