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The intangible benefit of the SOLD sign

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with American Foursquare Realty RM423982

John Elwell wrote a great post, To Post a Sign or Not to Post a Sign When Selling Your Home? Think Carefully!  The blog talks about the power of the For Sale sign in today's electronic world.  The comments from people in highly trafficked areas and rural areas alike are an interesting read.

I'd like to point out another benefit to the For Sale/SOLD signs.  It is an opportunity to catch people at their happiest.  People love having their pictures taken next to the SOLD sign on closing day.  And these pictures show such unrestrained joy! 

I always like to try and get a photo of the new homeowners and the SOLD sign on closing day.  And I look at them periodically to remind myself why I sell real estate.  The frustrations that the job can sometime bring are completely overshadowed by the happiness that homeownership brings.  And the SOLD sign photographs prove it.

 

This picture is from 1965.  On March 30th of that year, my parents settled on the house that I will always remember as being my childhood home.  The real estate signs haven't changed that much - but the fashions and hairstyles sure have!  I am the chubby little guy looking vaguely like a Smurf.  At three years of age, I didn't really get the idea of looking at the camera.  Mom - what were you thinking when you got me those plaid trousers?  Although I find the red leather shoes kind of snazzy.  My sister, Wendy, continues to look better in family photos than I do.

I only wish my father could have been in the picture, too.  He was the one behind the camera.  While I hope the three families that have lived in that home since we left it in 1979 have had wonderful lives there, I somehow doubt that anything could have surpassed the wonderful childhood I had there.  Thanks, Mom and Dad.

And it all started with this picture of us.  And the SOLD sign.

Posted by
 Richard Strahm is an award winning Realtor specializing in the North Penn areas of Montgomery County -- Lansdale, Upper Gwynedd, North Wales, Towamencin, Hatfield -- and beyond!  Visit him at www.a4square.com or call today at 215-853-2624 for a free and private consultation about all of your real estate needs.
 
 
Richard Strahm
Broker / Owner
Realtor, ABR, CRS, PSA, SFR, SRS, SRES
 
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

415 North Broad Street
Lansdale, PA 19446

Direct: (215) 853-2624
Office: (215) 647-0700
Fax: (215) 529-8931

Email:  Richard@a4square.com

www.a4square.com

PA Lic # RM423982

Copyright © 2010-2018 Richard Strahm.   All rights reserved worldwide.

Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Love the photo!  That is wonderful that you have this picture.  Great memories I am sure.  Is that you in the stylish plaid pants?  :)

May 25, 2010 01:08 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Paula -- Yes, I am the Plaid Pants wearer.  But I would like to point out that my wardrobe does not currently contain any plaid trousers!  Although I do own a pair or red leather shoes . . .

May 25, 2010 01:12 AM
Kelly McGovern
Realty Concierge International - Bellingham, MA
Working with Kelly is a good move

What a great photo!  Even then you couldn't take your eyes off SOLD! :)

May 25, 2010 01:15 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Kelly - I guess it was one of those life-defining moments!

May 25, 2010 01:21 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for sharing . Nice picture. Have a good day.

May 25, 2010 01:25 AM
Mary Kay Hopkins
Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC e-PRO, GRI, CRS, CRB - Lake Charles, LA
e-PRO,GRI,CRS

John, it is so great and appropriate that you saved this photo.  I saved receipts and closing documents on one of my parent's transactions, but not near the same as a photo like this. 

May 25, 2010 01:39 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Mary Kay -

Sometimes it's good to be a pack rat!  I also have the original builder's floor plan to this house -- it's the "Betsy Ross" model!

Richard

May 25, 2010 01:45 AM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Looks like a great house to grow up in, Richard. Very much the suburbia dream, and a kid's dream too.

May 25, 2010 02:10 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Glenn, you couldn't be more right.  Our neighborhood in suburban Philadelphia was like a large, extended family.  I am still in touch with friends I had in kindergarten!

May 25, 2010 02:19 AM
Michael Delaware
North Sky Realty LLC - Battle Creek, MI
REALTOR®, CRS, GRI

Great classic photo!  The trousers are snazzy!

May 25, 2010 02:39 AM
The Scott Loper Team Bux-Mont Premier Properties
Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA

Hi Richard,

Love the pic!  I think I had a similar pair of pants.

~Lisa

May 25, 2010 02:47 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Michael - I think you are being kind about the trousers!

Lisa - Oh no!  Not only am I going to think the pants were ugly, I'm now going to think I was wearing girl pants!

May 25, 2010 02:54 AM
Jennifer Archambeault
Cardani Group, REALTORS® - Austin Texas - Austin, TX
An Austin Texas Realtor

I'm believer of a real estate sign for so many reasons but here is two:  it creates a buzz in the neighborhood that others are selling (who knows the neighbor may give you a ring when they are ready and it captures possible buyers (with 800 call capture) who may want to purchase that home or another in the area. 

Richard, do you still sport plaid pants today?

May 25, 2010 03:11 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Jennifer - I wholeheartedly agree with what you say!  And my trousers are a nice, single color nowadays!

May 25, 2010 03:21 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I love this post!

When I started to read, my first thought...why is he advertising someone else's sign. So glad that you posted what appears to be an extremely important and happy day in your family's life.

Your sharing allows us to see the true value of the "SOLD" sign.

May 25, 2010 07:24 AM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Margaret - I think buying a home is an important and happy day for everyone who does it.  And seeing that happiness is one of the things that makes me love going to my job.

May 25, 2010 07:47 AM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Richard, Two weeks without the ability to comment on your posts has me wanting to tell you, AWESOME blog as always. The picture may say it all.

May 25, 2010 01:34 PM
Richard Strahm
American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA
Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Charles!!  I've missed you and your kind comments.  I figured you were very busy with your new brokerage.  Hope all is well!

May 25, 2010 01:39 PM