I always find it interesting to go into someone's house when I know the owner or tenant.  So many times I am surprised when someone I would think was as neat as can be is a slob and people who look sloppy have immaculate homes.

I'm always intrigued by the intimacy of being able to walk around in someone's private sanctum. I wonder about the moments the homes have seen, the lives that have been lived inside the rooms, the stories the walls could tell. Sometimes the space feels happy, sometimes you could almost hear the loneliness. We get to see views of people's lives from a vantage point not too many see, because the space is often "unhosted", if that makes sense. This is especially true when the houses are older, and have "seen" a lot.

Hi Sandy

Maybe I heard a message you didn't intend to tell. From your recollection I was moved not by how nifty it is that we get to peer into the lives of strangers because we have a key. I was moved by the message that there are so many humble, modest, wonderful people that we live near everyday that serve and sacrifice and die and we many never step out or reach out to these AND WE HAVE LOST.

The dirt and rocks and mountains and even beautiful flowers pale in comparison to the richness and beauty of so many lives lived near us and never experienced.

We are fortunate that we have the opportunity to be near these lives. Even more fortunate that we can impact so many lives because of the good fortune that our profession can provide.

Hi Sandy, As realtors, we often don't know the history of a home.  But every home has memories of some kind attached to it by the sellers.  Could you when they had their children or finished up a college degree, but there's always something.

Gary, I guess the key is not to judge a seller based on the appearance of the home.

Carol, I feel the same way you do. As Realtors we are truly in a special position to have access into people's inner sanctum.

Kirk, I'm glad you heard my full message. It's not just about the access to real estate, but access to people's lives and history. It's just too bad that I saw this home when I couldn't make any more difference. If this lady had lived in my neighborhood, I, as well as my neighbors, would have stepped in and helped her maintain her home better.

Kay, Some homes you enter and instantly sense if it was a happy or unhappy place.

Sandy

Well said and described Sandy. Sometimes a home goes through phases, like people, and when illness or energy goes down so does effort for making it a home. I just can't stand it when healthy able bodied people trash a house though. That's just laziness. You worded this post very well Sandy. I savored each word.

I agree with Kirk that we need to be our brothers keeper and reach out and help those in need.

Gary,

Thank you for your kind comment. Our local Association of Realtors holds an annual community day. It used to be that we spent the day working on delayed maintenance issues on homes of the elderly. Now we clean up local parks. I would get more gratification out of helping people directly, but by cleaning up parks, I suppose we support the community at large.

Sandy

Loved this blog - every house has a heart.........some fragile and waning, others broken, some strong and ticking !  I actually went looking for your blogs because I caught your website on Gary's blog about Websites.........I went and checked out all the websites or the corresponding commentators and I love yours the most!........plus you're almost my neighbour down south..:-)  I used to have a boy friend who lived in Olympia.......hmmm come to think of it I think he still lives there!  Cheers,  Liz

Liz,

Thank you for your wonderful comments. I'm glad you found my blog.

Sandy

Hi Sandy...For many of us, our homes are our sanctuary.  They live and breathe filled with our memories.

When reading you post I immediately thought of a very poignant song, Silent House, song by the Dixie Chics.

Thank you,

Kathleen

P.S.  Guess I need to take a look at your extra special web site.

Hi Sandy...Just checked your web site and t is gorgeous.  Love the classy look.  Do you do your own photography?  I saw some great pictures.

Kathleen

Kathleen,

Thanks for the compliment. Some of the pictures are mine and some have been purchased. Check istockphoto for some great and inexpensive images.

Sandy