Hi all, I'm new to posting but I've been a Phatmass Vocation section reader for a year or more. I have a maddening dilemma that's probably more common to the older/belated vocations. The only thing from holding me back from entering is my home! I decided to register Phatmass and join in as there has been so many wonderful topics lately. Then I thought I'd post and see if any had any ideas or even knew of someone or someplace that would buy this place so I can finally enter!

There are places that help pay off student loans and such, I wish there was a philantropic catholic real estate investor or some foundation that would help out a pre-postulant who can love, adore and serve Our Lord but is only held back by their home! I was thinking that wouldn't that be a good business for someone to snatch up properties to resell or rent out? They'd help the religious aspirant and themselves. I am right now taking pretty much what is left on the mortgage - which is much cheaper than what it was appraised at! I don't want to make anything at this point - just get it off my back! I have been harassing poor St. Joseph to sell it but maybe he could use some help! lol!

I have people here saying to call Habitat for Humanity and see if they, their benefactors, or may know who could buy it and I've had one person say to contact that show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to see if they'd buy it for some one! I haven't tried these yet but at this point I am even hoping a small torando that will only touch my house will blow it away and the insurance would pay for it! I live outside Austin, TX.

Thanks for any suggestions. God bless all.

So Glad you're joining us, Laudem Gloriae! Well, let's see...
Have you put a statue of St. Joseph in your yard (I believe you bury it?)... It worked for my family and for my aunt, just entrusting it to St. Joseph!
Also, have you asked your pastor if there were any realtors in your parish that would help you prepare it and list it?
You can also ask the local Catholic Newspaper if they would list it (or even run a story on you as someone who is preparing to enter) for a cheaper price?
Just some ideas, although I'll keep thinking on it!!
Good luck, and a formal to the phorum!

If the house is worth more than the remaining mortgage, you can simply hold an auction with the reserve price the mortgage amount. Tell yourself that anything over that is to go to your future order. If you are not making a profit, it might go a lot quicker.

I don't have any advice as far as how to sell the house, but the above suggestions seem great. I will keep you in my prayers.

God bless you and good luck!

You mentioned groups (such as the Fraser Family Foundation and Laboure Society) that help with educational debt. But have you thought of asking them if they have contacts who would be able to help you in your situation? The Lord knows how many contacts they have made throughout their time in this wonderful ministry; they might know the "perfect" person out there for you.

Also, I recently read about this bank, Western Catholic Union (www.wculife.org). There's a woman there, Jane Flachs, who might be able to suggest someone for you.

God Bless... and do keep us posted!

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. Some I haven't done yet. I did buy a St. Joseph house selling kit that a beautiful small statue of St. Joseph but I have always felt uneasy about the burying the St. Joseph statue (some say upside down!) and then I heard Fr. John Corapi and Fr. Benedict Groeschel both say in talks about how they thought it was wrong and Fr. Benedict said something like it was bordering superstition in the burying and suggested to just pray and entrust your house to him and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He said it was almost like those prayers to St. Jude or someone where you have to send it to so many people (like a chain letter) or publish it in a newspaper, etc. I used to think poor St. Joseph buried in the back yard! I have dogs that come in from neighbor's house I'd be afraid they'd dig it up! But I've heard success stories about the burying the statue. So I wonder what the real deal with the church is on this practice - I don't suppose it's in the Cathecism! I'm very desparate but I also don't want to offend St. Joseph!! ha

"Shortnun", I will try that woman, Jane Flachs, at Western Catholic Union. I hadn't heard of this bank before. I was told to hold an ebay auction besides the typical auction. There are parishioners who are in real estate and have small ads on the back of the church bulletin I can contact besides asking my parish priest.

Well, I'll be trying these but if anyone has anymore suggestions, please post them! Thanks so much everyone.

Burying a statue in your garden sounds like superstition to me. What matters is surely the depth of your trust and the sincerity of your prayer, not whether you decide to bury statues in your garden or chalk a picture of the Sacred Heart on each roof-tile. Don't worry. I am sure God will take care of everything you need.

Before we sold our last house, I had a house consultant recommended by our contractor go thru our house. She cost a fortune per hour, stayed for 1.5 hours, and saved us many thousands of dollars.

First off, get a house inspection to see if there are major defects which have to be remedied before selling--gas leaks, the furnace, the roof, the foundation- that sort of thing. If you don't fix these now, the buyer's house inspector may well notice them and require that they be repaired before the deal can go through.

Surface repairs can do a lot--paint, fixing squeaks, hinges that don't work, repairing running toilets, doors/drawers that don't close--minor repairs. Put in the brightest bulbs the fixtures can take and make sure all the bulbs match--I used clear bulbs that make everything brighter. Clean everything. The place inside and out must be immaculate. Clean up the yard and grounds. Take EVERYTHING off the walls and repair ALL of the holes--this is usually pretty easy. Paint the walls, if need be--paint is cheap.

Pack up everything that doesn't have to be out -in boxes and in a storage unit if need be. Empty the closets and drawers. If you have a coat closet, clean it out and put ONE hat on the shelf and TWO coats hanging in the closet. This is much neater and cleaner and makes the closet look larger. This is true for all closets. You can be sure that everyone of them will be opened. Do this throughout the ENTIRE house. We packed up everything and rented a storage unit to put it all in. We had a large linen closet that ended up with only a few fine linens in it. We had a built-in china closet with glass doors in the kitchen in which I ended up placing a FEW pieces of crystal. Everything else was packed away, except a few dishes in cupboards and essential cooking utensils. Remove all but essential furniture in each room. I got rid of our kids' desks and bookcases that we weren't taking anyway and put all other non-essential furniture in storage. For example, each bedroom had a bed, a dresser and a chair and that was ALL. I gather that you are entering religious life, so you should be in a good position to clean out non-essentials.

A clean bright house suggests that it has been well-maintained.

I think that it's best to use a realtor as they use the multiple listing service, take photos and a video, will put your house online, and can vet all potential buyers.

Lastly, it is important to price your house realistically for its size, location, age and, unfortunately, the times--now we're in a real housing slump.

We sold our house fast for a good price.

Good luck!

I can't add much more than what has been posted especially by JKAANDS. The people here have given you excellent advice.

As a Realtor, The Most important thing is Sparkle (Show ready) and Price.

I would suggest using a Realtor because your home will then be in the MLS. Just any old Realtor will not do. Call your Local Board of Realtors, (should be in the phone book or Call the Chamber of Commerce,) and tell them that you want the name of the most top producing Realtor in your area, by dollars and units sold. You want Someone who has a good reputation who works full time, and is not just a face with alot of advertising. I am partial to Independent offices because I work in one, but also I like some franchises because of the ability to put you on their nationwide network Prudential has Yahoo etc.
You want to know that they are comfortable with technology and will put your house with Showcase on Realtor.com.

It's worth the Money to use a Realtor, but if you can't afford 6% Commission( by the way the Realtor does not get all that it is split ususally between the selling and listing broker and THEN the Realtor gets THEIR split..) The n go to Help U Sell and Use their $1,950 may be different in your area. Package that will get your House in the MLS. Be warned though that unless it is "priced right" you may sit awhile.

Any More questions or if you need help finding a Realtor, Please PM me, and I'll be happy to help.

As For St. Joseph Statues, I work for a Catholic Realtor, and we Bury them or Just put them in the House with a prayer. St Joe works well for us in our depressed Market. My broker Loves St Joseph dearly, and goes to Mass Daily to pray to him, at St Joesph Church, of Course! Maybe that's why We are #3 in our area with only 4 agents full time yet our House Price Sold is Higher than the 2 leading Offices with 35 agents apiece!
We have a flat market here in Freeport where you can STILL buy a Great House for $65,ooo!

I will pray for you as well, as I am also in discernment, formerly with Carmel, Now with the Passionists! Oh well we go where Christ Leads!

Peace in Christ,
Nancy

I sold my house last September, and I would have to say that all the advice you have gotten in spot on. If you use a Realtor, it is important to use one who will actively try to sell your house. The first Realtor I had did nothing to even try to sell the house; he didn't do any marketing at all, so after a year I was hardly surprised that it not only didn't sell, it was only shown 4 times. I changed to a different agent and the house sold in 5 weeks. I also prayed to St. Joseph intensely for his help. I believe he heard me.

The new agent suggested that I have an appraisal (use an appraisal company that banks use, not one who works for realtors) done. It is extremely helpful for potential buyers to know what the house is worth. I had only a few things to fix, so I did, and I kept the place show ready........no clutter, no mess, no personal stuff like pictures, etc..

Bottom line is that you must be patient and have faith that Our Lord is with you. I know from personal experience that this is difficult, but you can do it! Everything will happen when it is supposed to so don't worry.