When I heard that my blog buddy Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector  was going to be traveling through the area this weekend, I readily agreed to meet him at a vacant house.  Heck, I had nothing else to do on this 4th of July weekend, with my husband and son away in Maine on business.  So we arranged to meet at a vacant house. 

 Hey ...not so fast ...just in case your mind is in the gutter.  This happens to be a vacant house that Charlie's son and daughter in-law are hoping to purchase, and I am honored to be their real estate agent.  

 So, there I was ...finally meeting Charlie in person - with his son and grandson by his side!  I promise.

About the transaction.  It's a short sale - you know how that can be. We're waiting for the seller's bank to approve the deal.  Gosh, I hope we get approval soon and there are no problems.  Please.  This is a great house and compared to everything else we've looked at, it's going to be hard to find another property that measures up for the same price.  And, then I have the added pressure of not wanting Charlie's son and daughter in-law to end up disappointed if things don't work out.  But, we have talked about the pitfalls of short sales and they had expected from the start that it would be a waiting game with much uncertainty until the end.  Well, so far, so good - it's been a little over 4 weeks since contracts were signed.  And, these buyers are ready according to their bank and attorney.  It's now up to the seller's bank. 

Back to me and Charlie meeting at this vacant house - it was just so nice.  It felt like ...well, like I have known him a long time.  And, I guess I have - through blogging.  He's really a very gracious man.  He's exactly what I expected after reading his many blogs and talking to him on the phone.  No, he didn't do a full blown home inspection of the property.  That had already been done weeks ago by a NY State licensed inspector, one who Charlie checked out a little during the selection process.  Charlie simply looked around as any parent would and seemed to play more the role of a Dad.  Every agent knows that the parents can be like the kiss of death - but a parent who is an out of state home inspector?  Should I have been nervous?  Not at all.  See, as a Realtor I would have been comfortable selling this house to one of my own kids.  Just seemed to be the best of the bunch - and even Charlie seemed to approve.  Phew!  He even said that any small issues seemed typical for the age of the home.  We both have the experience to recognize that in the starter home category there's no such thing as a perfect house.  Charlie even emphasized  that this is no NEW home.  And, with that, I reminded him that even NEW homes are not all that perfect.  My own, being a fine example.   

We decided to have lunch afterwards and I'm glad we did.  I almost didn't want to part ways so soon in the driveway.  And, I kind of didn't want to part ways at the restaurant either.  Charlie's a great guy.  But I already suspected that a long time ago.  Once I met his son a couple of months ago I knew he had to be the product of a good man.  It's obvious that this apple didn't fall very far from the tree.  

As I drove away and waved good-bye to Charlie, I began thinking about all my other Active Rain blog buddies and how nice it would to meet everybody in person one day. Then, I wondered if I should start making a list of all the people I'd like to meet in person ...kind of like an Active Rain bucket list.  I started making a mental list.  Let's see now, ...there's Gary and Pat, and Susan and Barbara and Deb and Sally and Steve ....and the list goes on and on and on!