Did You Ever NOT Want to Sell Your Clients’ Home? (Because you DIDN’T want them to leave?)

 

In my community at Fishhawk Lake, I live here and have the time of my life selling real estate in this great vacation destination. HOWEVER, every now and then I meet up with sellers that I fall in love with and I really don’t want to sell their home!

 

Mr. and Mrs. M bought one of the very first lots here waaaay back in 1967, before the lake even had water.  They camped for years, sharing stories of sleeping at the very small clubhouse, (one of the first buildings here) then built their home themselves after hiring an actual “barn builder” to do the exterior structure, taking their time, finishing the interior in 1982. The rich history of memories of Fishhawk Lake are a firm part of their family lore and the first time I sat down with them, I stayed for three hours.

Fishhawk Lake History 1967 

Winter 1967 Newspaper, Map of Lots 1972

 

Mrs. M., a statuesque woman, with sky-blue eyes that glisten spoke rather wistfully of being part of the first marketing team here at Fishhawk Lake. She was a fountain of knowledge and had old maps, and other delightful memorabilia along with a few stories, like how the first developer ran off with $100,000 and Fishhawk Lake could have become just a distant memory!

 

Mr. M., a very tall man with one of the deepest and kindest voices I have ever heard had “fish stories” to share. One of his sons caught a 28” trout in Fishhawk Lake, winning first place at the 1st Fish Derby in 1984 in the Junior Division, he told me proudly then grabbed a collage of pictures to point out the fish lying on the dock beside his smiling son. They still have trophies displayed on the cabin shelves behind the couch.Carrying on the Family Tradition at Fishhawk Lake

 

Here they were hiring me to sell their beloved hand-hewn cabin and I didn’t want them to go!! I also knew in my heart that it would sell fast.

 

Five days after listing this property at Fishhawk Lake (in November!), a young family with sons became new buyers of mine and after one day of showing them several cabins, they decided on Mr. and Mrs. M’s lakefront cabin. In two weeks, it went into Sale Pending. “Things are moving kind of fast,” Mr. M said. Well, YEAH...for me, too. Their 40+ years of lake-living history needs to be captured and shared before they leave our lovely community forever!

The Fishhawk a Young Artist's Rendition

 

 

 A drawing from days gone by, found in a drawer at the M’s Fishhawk Lake cabin…some young artist in the making.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Mr and Mrs. M—

 

I will miss you and can only hope that every newcomer here is as wonderful as you both are.

 

 

 

Gayle Rich-Boxman
Broker, Vernonia Realty
Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Recreation Club
"Your Gateway to the Lake!"
Direct: (503)755-2905
My website: http://www.lakehomesatfishhawk.com/
My blog: http://fishhawklakerealtor.wordpress.com/


 

Did You Ever NOT Want to Sell Your Clients’ Home? (Because you DIDN’T want them to leave?) Fishhawk Lake Thoughts Copyrighted by Gayle Rich-Boxman All Rights Reserved 2011.

 

For a look at what fun you can have at Fishhawk Lake, click on the link below! 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N20w1bP2UA&feature=youtube_gdata

 Fishhawk Lake canoe trip-Gayle Rich-Boxman 2012 copyrighted All Rights Reserved

Gayle Rich-Boxman
Broker,Vernonia Realty
Specializing in Fishhawk Lake Recreation Club
"Your Gateway to the Lake!"
Direct: (503)755-2905
My website: http://www.lakehomesatfishhawk.com/
My blog: http://fishhawklakerealtor.wordpress.com/

 

 

 
This post has been included in Oregon Real Estate News Columbia County, OR Real Estate News Birkenfeld, OR Real Estate News Fishhawk Lake (Birkenfeld, OR) Real Estate News
Post is included in group: ActiveRainPhotoBlogger
Post is included in group: Americana
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You

35 Comments on Did You Ever NOT Want to Sell Your Clients’ Home? (Because you DIDN’T want them to leave?)Fishhawk Lake Thoughts

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

NOV
23
2011
347,886 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

OH! WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!  DO IT, GAYLE . . . you could start your own little blog . . . Fishhawk Tales - something like that, and you can get the history of each of the homes that you list or sell or know about (have the owners write them for you) and put it on your blog.  People LOVE Talking Walls, and you have a newer, smaller community.  Glad you thought of it, girlfriend :) LOL
1:32pm • #16
225,754 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi, Gayle -- dropped by to thank you for being one of my Active Rain friends this year.  I have appreciated your comments and well wishes. I hope that you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving and Holiday Season.  all the best, Eric
9:36pm • #17
NOV
24
2011
484,084 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I sold a friends home this year and yes, it was hard to do. I hate goodbyes.
11:00am • #18

I listed my neighbor's house and felt the same way.  They overpriced their home about 20%, so activity was limited and it did not sell.  After the listing the listing expired, they relisted with someone else at the same price.  Values are continuing to decrease.  They did get an offer that was close to market value, but they countered at their high price.  I am glad to see that they are not going to be selling.  Their house has been on the market over 1 year.

 

FishHawk Lake - I have heard of it, I have driven by the road to it, but I have never been to it.  Is it all private, or can I bring my family for a picnic and day at the lake?
11:25am • #19
196,487 Points Outside Blog

People move for all types of reasons, yet I can imagine how many memorable events occurred since 1967. I can relate.
11:45am • #20
126,060 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Isn't it lovely when clients become lifelong friends?   Lucky buyers--clearly they have found a special place that has been loved and is forever filled with the residual of those feelings.
12:25pm • #21
265,592 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I am reminded of a song from the days of rock and roll by The Byrds:

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

 
12:53pm • #22

I understand how you feel. I live in a golf community that I have many neighbors that are good friends and even though I am thrilled that they choose me to sell their home, I am so sorry to see them move on. The other side of the story is when a client that you have done numerous transactions with become a great friend and their next move takes them out of state. You almost want to say NO I won't sell your house because I don't want you to go.
Regina French
12:59pm • #23

I have a house listed owned by clients I like a great deal. I hate seeing them move but they wanted to be close to grandchildren. I told them that there was no assurance that they would not move and then have their kids move somewhere else. That happened to friends several years ago when they moved to Washington state to be near their kids. The kids got a good employment opportunity and they were gone leaving them in a place they wouldn't have gone otherwise.

Hopefully when their house sells the new neighbors will be as nice as they are. We all have that happen in our business. I have sold several lots where I would have loved seeing the owner build on them and be neighbors but life is full of changes.

Jacqueline Drake CRS

Cochise County AZ
2:34pm • #24
361,289 Points 43 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

 

To All a Happy Thanksgiving and Thank You, to AR for putting me in the Daily Drop…I feel honored…especially on such a wonderful day.

Todd~You understand the bigger emotion that comes with this, which has the thread of family history and a chapter closed.

Mimi~Thank you for the support of an idea to create Fishhawk Fables! (I just came up with that...whaddya think?)

John~I believe this is from the Bible, and the M's are very close to God. This song is quite familiar to me and one of those classics that doesn't grow old. The words--beautiful, simple, profound.

Regina~I can tell you go through EXACTLY the same thing I do!  All of these folks are my neighbors AND my friends, whether for a few years or a lifetime. It is rather bittersweet, isn't it?

Eric~I love your support and this is such a nice message to receive...I need to go to your blog right after this...!

Cynthia~I'm funny about hellos and goodbyes, too....I'm better in the middle parts.

Roger~Are they happy that they didn't sell? I hope they've come to terms with it. Fishhawk Lake is a private lake community, but give me a call, let me "show you around" and bring your picnic doings! We can figure something out.

Kimo~The hardest part for me, personally is that I haven't gotten to be around these wonderful people until it's too late and they're leaving.

Judi~The RIGHT family bought this, I feel it in my bones!  Sure makes it easier to part with, I hope.

Jacqueline~I'm good with change, very adaptable. And yet, there are people who touch you in your life that you think you could learn so much from and that is how I feel about the Ms. As a couple, there are many of us who could learnby just being around them, how to love one another and your family for many many years, with mutual respect and genuine kindness.  

 

 
2:53pm • #25
178,196 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Gayle,  I grew up on a lake in Michigan.  We always said "on a lake" rather than "at a lake".  We lived there year around.  Most of our neighbors were just summer residents.  My sister and I looked forward to the summer when all of the cottages would be filled.  

We sold our mother's house about 15 years ago and I remember what a heart-breaking thing it was to do.  She couldn't live on her own anymore and both my sis and I live about 2000 miles away.  Too far to make it worthwhile to hold on to the home.  

Someone who had grown up in the area bought it and is now taking care of our home.  Thank you for the memories recalled!
4:33pm • #26
361,289 Points 43 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marge~it's funny,because I say "on the lake" about those who are on the lake, but then, those who are off the lake, it's just plain different.  Living here all year round is a completely different experience, too. Personally, it's especially wonderful when the season wanes and the summer crowds go home and the fulltimers gather round each other and do get-togethers, JUST US. And the quiet is what Thoreau would have embraced.

I am SURE it was incredibly emotional to do, having to sell your mom's place, as we've experienced it ourselves in our family, selling Granny's cabin at the Thousand Islands, which is where my childhood experiences started.

You are SO welcome for those "recalled memories"--the best!!!
6:35pm • #27
170,231 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

It's great that owners with such a strong connection to the community are able to pass on their love of the region to a young family who will create new memories there.
10:20pm • #28
NOV
25
2011
900,144 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gayle - this is a beautiful post. I'm bookmarking so I can come back later and check out the links. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
4:31am • #29

My nieghbors still think that they can sell their house.  It is still listed for the same price that was too high a year ago.  They must be happy that their house has not sold because they don't lower the price.  I look forward to living next to them for a long time to come.

 
9:18am • #30
379,863 Points 84 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gayle - I really understand how it must be so hard to sell such good friend's home, knowing they will be not be your neighbors any longer. Great neighbors are hard to come by! I'm sure this new couple will also become your friends and you'll make new "Fishhawk" memories together! BTW - where are the going and why would they leave one of the most beautiful places on earth and THE best neighbors (you and Larry) anyone could ask for?!
10:39am • #31

Wonderfully-written post, Gayle.  I love how connected you became with your clients... I often become great friends with my clients as well.  The story behind this property is truly special and I'm sure you were just as important and memorable to them as they were to you.  Thanks for sharing!
11:52am • #32
1 Featured Post

AGREE AGREE AGREE. My very first listing 11 years ago was my best friends house, he was moving from Colorado to Maryland. Although I visit them annually and we connect often, it is just not the same as seeing them every few days. I've missed his kids growing up right in front of me. Tough to be Uncle Jay from 1700 miles away. I still hope someday they might move back! And I'm ready to sell them a house when they do!
12:08pm • #33
500,269 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Gayle,  Great post and great story.  Guess that is why we enjoy this business so much.
7:00pm • #34
NOV
26
2011
1,553,748 Points 277 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Gayle. This is a good post and story. It is always hard to see a friend go, and harder to even help them move out. Thanks for sharing!
7:21am • #35

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention: