I'm Breathing Sighs of Relief This Afternoon

[MineralMan]

Two reasons:

1. Everything is done on the real estate transaction of my late parents' farm property. The buyer's loan has been funded, and all that's left is recording the deed to the new owner and a wire transfer of the proceeds to the bank account I set up for the family trust. What an ordeal this has been! My parents had a purchase agreement from the buyer and the sale was in escrow when they died. Complications set in immediately. Now, just over 90 days after their deaths, we are finally at the closing. The buyer has been very patient. Many buyers would have pulled out of the transaction, since it had already been 60 days since the purchase agreement when my parents both died on the same day.

The title and escrow company had pretty much given up hope that the sale would be completed. However, the buyer and I persisted in the long, complex process, to the surprise of the broker and title company. I made early contact with the buyer and established a good, friendly working relationship with her. There were a couple of issues that had not been resolved, including termite abatement and a septic system that needed replacement. Many legal issues, as well, but I have a good attorney, and have the skills to do the legwork required. Between the buyer and the attorney, we agreed on how to handle both, and I agreed to pay for both from the proceeds of the sale. That is what my father would have done, since he was never about letting such things interfere with a transaction.

So, that is done, thanks to whatever powers that may be and to close cooperation between buyer and seller. I counted, and there have been over 300 emails sent, and I don't remember how many phone calls.

The keys to successfully completing a transaction that gets suddenly interrupted is to stick with it, make friends with the other party, be willing to bend, and to insist that third parties that need to do things actually do them in a timely way. I knew that, but that knowledge has been reinforced for me now.

2. Today is two weeks after my second Moderna vaccine shot. My wife gets her second shot tomorrow. Although we'll continue to mask and social distance, that is a huge relief, as well.

ETA: 3. The comprehensive blood tests from my Medicare Wellness Visit just came back. My PCP says that everything is in normal range, so it appears that I will continue to live in decent health, despite my 75 years on this planet.

I think I'll go and make myself a tall gin and tonic. Yes, I will.

[SheilaAnn]

1. Congratulations, you are a good and devoted son. Cheers! n/t

[MineralMan]

5. Thanks. There's still a lot to do, since I'm the executor of their

will and of the family trust. On Monday, I start writing checks and handling many other aspects of this. But...the real estate deal was the highest priority, by far. The rest is cake.

[dawg day]

2. What a difficult few months you've had!

I'm glad that your parents' plan was fulfilled and the buyer is now happily taking possession! I hope she has decades ahead of productive farming, and that you can relax and slow down. No more crisis!

[MineralMan]

9. Yes. I get to scale back my efforts, though there is still plenty to do.

The new owner is a delightful person, who has great plans for the property. It will transition into an all-organic citrus and avocado farm, with new plantings to replace many of the old trees, along with new marketing and production methods. She also owns a few California restaurants and is a noted chef.

I have enjoyed my conversations with her and wish her great success. Traditional citrus and avocado farming has proven not to be profitable any longer, for many reasons, but the land is good and new ideas should make it more successful.

I intend to continue communicating with her, and have a strong knowledge of the property, which will help her as she moves forward. I don't have a lot of reason to go back to that area, but I will probably visit in the next few years, just to see what beneficial changes she makes.

[Lochloosa]

3. Congrats on both counts..

[MineralMan]

7. Thanks for saying that.

The responsibility of being trustee and executor for my parents has weighed heavily on me. I had no idea how complex that would be. I know now, though. There's still a lot to do, but that transaction was at the core of it. Most people let the attorney handle it all. I decided that I was competent to take over a lot of his work, and that turned out to be true. He bills $350/hr. I bill nothing. So, that stress and having to learn new things will pay off.

[Srkdqltr]

4. Happy for you getting all of that done. You deserve a treat.

[MineralMan]

10. Thanks!

[crickets]

6. Glad to hear it!

You've had a lot going on lately, and it's good to hear that things are finally settling down well for you.

[MineralMan]

8. Yes. A lot.

However, it was my duty to handle it. Lots of people in the family were counting on me.

[Evolve Dammit]

11. Thanks for the update MM. You got it done, and vaccinated! Woo Hoo. Enjoy that G&T.

[ismnotwasm]

12. Congratulations!

[MineralMan]

29. Thanks!

[Ferrets are Cool]

13. Congratulations MM

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

14. Thank you for being so willing to keep us informed.

You've been gracious about sharing reasonably personal details, and I know I appreciate it, and I've learned some things along the way.

Enjoy your gin and tonic!

[MineralMan]

20. If I can help others, I'm very glad.

[malaise]

15. The truth is that you put in the hard work

so you earned this sale.

[MineralMan]

23. That was my responsibility to the whole family.

I take that very seriously.

[malaise]

27. That's for sure

Well done

[luvtheGWN]

43. Congratulations on a job well done, MM!

I'm sure other members of your family will be eternally grateful for your hard work. So glad you had already established a good relationship with the buyer -- that ALWAYS works in everyone's favour.

Just a wee question: why are citrus and avocado farms not as profitable as they once were? Inquiring Canadian minds want to know (since we can't grow either of them here)......

[MineralMan]

45. Citrus and Avocado farms are hard

to make a profit from. First, there is a lot of competition from fruit grown out of the US. Second, picking and packing costs have gone up enormously. There is a chain of middlemen between the grower and the market that takes most of the money. Third, the number of regulations on growers has increased dramatically, as well. Each new regulation comes at a cost. Fourth, new pests have arrived from elsewhere, which are threatening orchards of both crops. Costs for irrigation have increased, as well. In the area where their property is, many orchards have been pulled out, and row crops are replacing citrus and avocado crops.

Depending on the year, both crops often struggle just to break even against rising costs. In a very good year, there is still some profit, but a small orchard hasn't earned enough to constitute a living income for several years now. If you add to that having most of the work done by contracted farm management companies, which is necessary if you are too old to do the work, there is no chance at all for profit.

It's not just citrus and other fruit crops. Similar economic issues have plagued small farms for quite a long time.

Here's an example of a regulation that has wreaked havoc on citrus and avocado farmers: Today, you must hire a licensed inspector to go through the orchard looking for animal waste on the ground, row-by-row. Few citrus farms are fenced, and deer, coyotes, bears, rabbits, and other animals frequently pass through the orchards, looking for food. If waste is found, it must be removed and the farm re-inspected. Even though the crop is never on the ground and it is illegal to pack fallen fruit, the regulations apply. They were designed for crops that grow low and on the ground, like strawberries, but apply to all farming.

[luvtheGWN]

48. Thanks so much for that info.

I would assume that your farm's buyer is probably going to grow crops primarily for her restaurants. Several of the best restaurants in Toronto and here in my tourist town are doing the same -- some with vineyards as well as garden and fruit produce.

[MineralMan]

49. Yes. She also has a CSA set up. She owns another farm property in the area.

She will probably plant some specialty citrus in the orchard, which brings a high price at the wholesale produce market in L.A., as well. I don't know her exact plans, but she's going to do things very differently. I hope she has great success, but I'm out of it now.

[niyad]

16. Breathing huge sigh of relief for you on all counts, MM. I know that this has been an

incredibly fraught time for you, such a sad loss. Enjoy your G&T, take some nice, deep breaths. May things be much better from here.

[MineralMan]

28. Thank you.

[malaise]

30. The worst part is that you want to grieve but you have to stay strong and

sort out the paperwork. It's always hard to lose one parent, let alone two at the same time.

[MineralMan]

31. Yes, exactly.

[luvtheGWN]

44. Having lost my husband 3 years ago, I can honestly tell you

that sorting out the paperwork (busy work indeed) does help to assuage the grief we feel at losing a loved one. A good friend who also lost her husband said that the second year was the hardest -- and she was so right.

[malaise]

47. That makes sense - you're to busy

to understand what has happened. It's hard period.

[Hekate]

17. Congratulations on all, & enjoy that G&T!

[MineralMan]

26. Will do.

[TNNurse]

18. Congratulations on fullfilling your obligation.

Things like this are rarely simple and you had special complications. I feel your parents would be proud.

My husband and I are both very fond of the book "Trustee From the Toolroom" by Nevil Shute. (We love his books except for the one people have read "On The Beach".) This one is the story of a man who believes he is just living a simple life and accepts the obligation of "trustee" for family members. He is actually quite remarkable, very talented and someone you would be proud to know. His task took him far from home and was quite an adventure.

He finished his job and settled back down to his life with satisfaction. Your story of what you have done made me think of his story.


I think I will join you in that G&T.

[MineralMan]

25. I'll find that book!

[TNNurse]

32. I believe you will enjoy it,

[SheltieLover]

19. Congrats!

[Hortensis]

21. :) Sounding good! Including the last. :)

[MineralMan]

24. Yup. Thanks!

[lucca18]

22. Happy for you!

I am glad everything worked out.

It was exhausting, but you were determined.
Your parents would be proud.

Now, go have that drink!

[Demovictory9]

33. 🙂🎉🎈

Glad for your good news

[11 Bravo]

34. You're a good man, MM.

Your parents certainly left things in capable hands.

Make it a double!

[PJMcK]

35. I'm pleased for you, MM

I'm going to join you but I'll have vodka & tonic.

Enjoy your weekend.

[bluestarone]

36. You have to have lots of smarts to do everything you have done (makes your family happy too)

My hats off to you. Learned lots from you here on this site! Proud to be here with you!!

[tiredtoo]

37. Just a short note

to say I enjoy your posts and your attitude. thanks.

[BobTheSubgenius]

38. I think you deserve a gin and tonic, or 5!

Nice work! I went through a somewhat complex process to sell my revenue property - notices to all the tenants and working with the city a good part of that. There was some foot-dragging and lack of enthusiasm at one point, and I don't know why I thought this was the answer, but I offered it anyway.

The offer of a vendor takeback made them all smiles, and they didn't have to sell their house until the new one was built on the lots that I sold them. And a $1500 all-interest payment to me every month until the project was finished wasn't that awful, either.

It sure is a big sigh of relief when you clear the last hurdle, isn't it?


BTW...An ice-cold G&T is one of my favourites. GREAT summertime drink!!!

[ailsagirl]

39. Excellent!!

[The Wizard]

40. Could the delay

be from legal churning by lawyers to justify increased legal fees. They often find solutions for problems that may occur if aliens from space intervene or offspring a relative long since dead is objecting for reasons unbeknownst to man or science.

[MineralMan]

42. No, not in this case.

The family's attorney has tasked me with many jobs involved with this. Research, contacting people, negotiating, and many other things that he would normally do. His billings have been very reasonable, and his goal has been to let me do everything I am capable of doing, instead of paying him to do those things.

That has helped speed many things along, since I have plenty of time and can handle a lot of legal tasks on my own. I've put my work on hold during this time. He steps in only when necessary, or when I ask him to do so.

He jokingly offered me a job doing those things for his law practice.

In several cases, I have been able to accomplish things in a day that would normally take him a week. I've seen the word Wow! in emails from him multiple times.

[Maeve]

41. You give me hope

My mom sold the house several years ago and moved to an apartment, so I won't have that to deal with, and I live less than an hour away from her so settling things when she dies should be much easier, but it is still intimidating to contemplate (she's 90 and not in great health).

Glad you are vaccinated and in good health--look forward to a long future of sharing DU with you.

[samplegirl]

46. Good maybe you

will sleep a little better!

[MineralMan]

52. Yes. I already am sleeping better.

There are still plenty of things to do, but I can see the light at this point.

Thanks!

[onetexan]

50. Congrats MM, glad to hear of your good news

Funny i enjoy reading your posts so i kinda feel like i know you.

[calimary]

51. Good stuff, MM!

Thanks for the update! Especially when it’s an upbeat update!