Preparations and Waiting

Since returning from Panama I am basically in a waiting position - with a few loose ends to tie up in the US.

First I have to sell my condo in Atlanta. Then I can buy the teak-plantation to get my residency visa process rolling. 

So nothing is happening until my condo is on sale. In order to sell it, however, I'll have to do some renovations. So, I drive the 780 miles (~1300km) to Atlanta - with a rental from the dealership. Because my dear old Prius gets "renovated", too - 6,500$ for a new big battery, replacement of dashboard cluster, new small battery, new tires, and a few other things. The trunk is full of tools and work-clothes. I'm anticipating a week or two of work.

Luckily, the real-estate market in the US is piping hot! When I arrive in Atlanta, the day before my appointment with the realtor I get one of those text-messages from a whole-sale buyer. I respond, and they agree to a price that I find fair towards me and towards them! And I don't have to do any work, they buy it as-is! Yeay! 

First they say they'd close in 3 weeks. But, three days before the closing they postpone by another 2 weeks! Well, no problem that gives me time to get my things organized in Wilmington. So, I drive back to Wilmington, get the last few items that my now-ex-wife Suzanne has put together and placed in her garage for me, and move everything into a storage unit. 

Then I pack the items that I think I will need for the next year in Panama: my kitchenaid (so I can bake my rye-bread) the rye flower and other bread ingredients, the Kelomat pressure cooker, some simple tools, a few gifts for my girls in Panama, the computers, and 2 shirts, 2 pants, 2 underwear (you see my priorities?) - all in all three 50 lb suitcases, my backpack, and another carry-on bag. Aye aye aye! Will I ever be able to travel light?

But now. finally, everything in Wilmington is settled. Time to drive the Prius back to Atlanta. But beofre that, three days before the closing, the buyer calls and says they want to change the price, reducing it by 10,000$! I stay firm, though - the due diligence period has expired, so they are bound by the purchase&sales contract. I tell them, they can breach the contract and forfeit their ernest money, or they follow through on the contractual agreement! They try to pressure me a little more, offering 5,000$ price reduction ("Do you really want to let the deal go for 5,000$" they ask), but I'm firm... So they agree to stay with the original agreement (apparently, they don't want to lose the deal and their 2,000$ earnest money over a 5,000$ either!) And we close as planned!

Hint to you: don't let these sharks mess with your mind! Once the due diligence period is done, they can't reduce the price anymore - except if you agree to it! Just don't!!!

The closing happens as planned! Yeay! The money arrives the same day in my account! Now I am ready to start the next big step: purchasing the teak plantation!