We contacted our real estate agent, Joanne Stewart, yesterday. It felt like a really big move and it was great. We’re not at the no turning back point yet, far from it. But it feels like a real move toward our goal.

Its a good news, bad news kind of situation. It felt great to take a serious step toward moving. So far we have been background planning and preparing. It also looks like we’re not going to make our goal of moving by December. At least not if we’re going to be practical rather than emotional about it. Joanne told me that real estate season is April to July. We stand a much better chance of selling our house quickly and at a price we want if we wait until then.

Waiting makes sense on the Mazatlan side too. May is the start of Summer. Most of the Winter residents are gone by June. June, July, and August are the best months to find a rental. There is more selection and better odds of finding a really good deal.

Having additional time reduces our stress as well. There are the same number of things to do, but now we have almost twice the time to get them done. We can reduce our frenetic pace a little bit and breathe.

If all of this sounds like I’m trying to convince myself that waiting a little bit is a good thing, you’re right. It all makes sense. It’s very practical. It’s the decision of a thinking person. It’s what my father would do. It’s not at all what comes naturally to me and Chuck. We both suck at deferred gratification. We want it now. It’s a bizarre kind of misery to have to wait. But, sometimes the head can overrule the heart. Even for us.