SETTLING

Homeowners are required to complete a Seller’s Disclosures Notice that is provided to anyone considering making an offer on their home. The idea is that the potential buyers are aware of any defects prior to making their offer.

Oftentimes, a seller dreads laying it all out there for everyone to see. They will ask me, “Do I really have to put that on here?” My answer is always, “Yes!” They may not realize it, but the more they disclose, the better off they are going to be in the long run. One of the questions on the form is about settling. Is the homeowner aware of any settling? In Houston, the answer is almost always yes. With the humidity, drought, freezes and rain, homes are certain to shift and settle over time. We most often see evidence of this with cracks in the sidewalks and driveways. Some settling is fine, too much can cause a big, expensive problem.

I began thinking about this concept as it pertains to life as well. Every year, I design and gift calendars. The March 2024 quote is, “The reason you feel unsettled is because you are not supposed to settle.” I fricking love that quote. I, too, am guilty of staying in the same position even if it feels unsettling. I can feel it before the cracks start to show up. Somehow this can feel more safe than moving on and refusing to settle.

Wouldn’t it be great if we were given a “seller’s disclosure” to review before going on a date or making a new friend? We may be willing to accept a lot of what’s on the disclosure, but want to be sure we aren’t settling in a way that becomes too damaging or costly.

It’s okay to settle down, but don’t settle when settling down.

XX,

MG

TEA IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD