Youre Not Paranoid: The House Really Hates You

If you've just bought a house, you may be able to relate to a fascinating essay in Maya Angelou's book, Even the Stars Look Lonesome.

When Ms. Angelou moved into a designer house in California, she says, nothing worked. Her pictures didn't look right on the walls. Cakes fell in the oven and curtains fell off the rods.

The house, she concluded, hated her. And it wasn't much consolation to realize the house hated her husband, too.

What I want to know is, how could she tell?

Let's face it, most houses hate their new owners. They have adapted to the rhythm of one family and resent being sold.

Like most cats that you rescue from the pound, your house probably believes, "If I'd waited awhile, a better owner would have come along. So I'm going to make this one's life miserable."

When you move

Those who are trained in modern research methods will be skeptical, but there's plenty of evidence. Everyone knows what happens when you move into a new house.

"You'll see a lot of repair services in the first six months," I was warned. "When a house hasn't changed hands in five years or more, lots of little things will happen when you move in."

Now, you'll notice this doesn't happen when you rent a house or apartment. Some friends of mine rented a house while they saved to buy their own property.

For two years, the refrigerator purred and the air conditioner hummed contentedly. The plumbing flowed silently and the insect life remained hidden. Encouraged ("see, a house isn't so bad after all!") they took the plunge and bought their own home.

I'd like to say they're doing great but in fact they've dropped out of sight. They can't take phone calls any more. "Sorry, we can't tie up this line. We're holding the phone open till we hear from the handyman..." Or the pest control guy, or the electrician. They considered Call Waiting but were afraid to jinx the only object in the house that seemed to be working.

If you seem particularly gullible, (e.g., the house senses that you're new to this game), your appliances may join the fun. I am absolutely positive the once-faithful refrigerator sent out a message: "How about this, guys. Let's really confuse everybody. I'll put out a leak, send the water over to the sink, and they'll think it's a big pipe in the wall. After they've poked a few holes they'll realize it's time to wake up that sleeping repairman!"

And one day my security system kept getting an "Open Door" signal even when the door was firmly locked. The tech found nothing wrong and it never happened again.

My lawn service person knew how to work the system: Let Them Know Who's Boss. After he cut back the hedges and pulled some over-aggressive vines, the bushes stopped sulking and started putting out nice flowers. They knew what would happen if they didn't.

Making Peace with the House

Soon you've emptied your bank account to create a peace offering -- a new floor or a paint job or a screen door. "Every so often," I'm told, "you even get thirty days with no service calls. But after six months or so, the house gets bored and it'll start all over again."

One thing is certain. In your house's "Lose the Owner" contest, there's one simple rule. Whoever costs the most, wins.

For serious advice about moving, download Making the Big Move.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

---

Real Estate Tax Incentives

Lower Your TaxesTax incentives for real estate investors can often... Read More

Real Estate Investing ? The First House Purchase

Real estate investing usually begins with the purchase of a... Read More

FSBO - Selling Your Home FSBO (for sale by owner) ? Is It Worth It?

FSBO, what is it? FSBO means For Sale by Owner,... Read More

Lake Property in Danbury

A lakeside vacation or second home can be a quiet... Read More

How to Buy a Property in Bulgaria

The CostAlthough the property prices in Bulgaria are quite low... Read More

If Your House Is a Mess, You Dont Have To Sell For Less

Don't be tempted by "We Buy Houses" or "Sell Your... Read More

Personal Branding Techniques for Real Estate Agents and Brokers

Branding can be done to any product, or any person.... Read More

Interior Design Secrets for Selling Houses

New concepts in Interior Design Psychology are helping home sellers... Read More

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Made When Getting A Business Appraised

Most business owners will, at some point, want or need... Read More

An Often Overlooked Secret of Marketing and Negotiating for Real Estate Investors Looking for Deals

When you call sellers, what do you say? When you... Read More

The Person With The Most Money Wins!

More money can mean better:- Health Care - Relaxing... Read More

Choosing An Estate Agent

With so many estate agencies vying for your business, choosing... Read More

Should You Use a Property Management Company or Manage Your Real Estate Investment in Florida?

When considering investment properties, first of all, it must be... Read More

Estate Planning

Estate planning can enable you to control your property while... Read More

How To Realistically Get Started As A Real Estate Investor

When it comes to real estate investing, most beginners find... Read More

Flipping Houses for Gold: Three Tips to Help You Find the Perfect Fixer

Many real estate investors enjoy "flipping houses," or buying and... Read More

Real Estate Investing - So You Want to be a Landlord!

Is landlording the way to go if you are starting... Read More

Termite and Moisture Damage Not Reported

I have done so many appraisals where I saw obvious... Read More

Hurricane Katrina And The Impact On Real Estate Prices

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's wide path of destruction,... Read More

Understanding Title Insurance

Title to a property is a record detailing the owners... Read More

Fantasy Gap [fast money in real estate]

I was in the rental business for seven-years, made 1.3... Read More

Houses For Sale By Owner - Negotiating Tips

Houses for sale by owner, also known as "FSBOs," are... Read More

Maltas Market Battle

With new destinations such as Bulgaria, Slovenia and Croatia offering... Read More

Zero Down Real Estate Investing

Zero down? Why would a seller want to walk away... Read More

Should You Accept A Full Purchase Offer For Your Note or Not?

You could be facing a dilemma when considering payout options... Read More

Find Out If There Are Sexual Predators Nearby Before You Buy A Home or Property!

When looking for a new home or property, buyers ask... Read More

Directionals Move Properties

One of the most effective and frequently overlooked methods of... Read More

San Diego Real Estate

San Diego is home to millions of beautiful apartments, condominiums,... Read More

A $100,000+ Discount On Miami Condos

By this point and time, many people have heard about... Read More

The Many Benefits Of Lease Purchasing

Lease Purchasing affords wonderful benefits and opportunities to sellers, buyers,... Read More

The Real Estate Bubble Fallacy

There has been a lot of talk lately about the... Read More

Purchasing International Real Estate

Interested in investing somewhere other than your back yard?Management companies... Read More

Selling Your Home: 5 Deal Killers That Are Lurking In Older Homes

You've listed your home for sale, you have a Buyer... Read More