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The Mural

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/Max Associates DE#RA-0003085 PA#RS347136

I set out to write about some of my favorite transactions in response to Lisa Von Domek’s “Love Is In The Air” Contest. At first, I had to stop and think... Which ones? Which clients? As a REALTOR or anyone connected to this profession, it’s easy to get sucked into the dark side, focused on the gray. Sort of like the ice coating everything outside right now, it’s really easy to only see bleakness. Lisa’s contest again proves what an asset Active Rain has become for me. Choosing to enter this has shifted my attention to bright things and great memories.

tree

I’ve toured my share of houses with personalized things in them that complicate showings. The array of family photos, the incredibly narrow choice of wall finishings (the memory of one kitchen with silver-blue-white wall paper on the walls AND ceiling will forever remain seared into my brain), too many mirrors, etc. can all take away from an otherwise positive tour. When I was out touring one day with a sweet young couple, after touring for a few weeks, we entered a twin home that backed to county parkland. The bucolic setting was encouraging, as was the entrance. A cat greeted us, and my clients are cat people. Again, another good sign. The main floor was tasteful in color scheme, lots of light, great room sizes. A nicely finished walk-out basement added to our excitement. Then we headed upstairs and walked into one of the secondary bedrooms. Planted in the far corner of the room and branching, literally, out onto the adjoining walls, was a mural of a tree. Huge. Seated in front of the tree were Eeyore and Piglet and Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin. The energy the mural generated in my clients was palpable. Smiles from ear to ear let me know this property had hit a home run.

I really grew fond of these two in our touring. A newlywed couple, they had that great energy of being in love, but it was more than that. They honor one another, acquiescing on the points that matter to the other, being strong in what they want but loving in the decisions. We wrote an offer on the house and they did get it. They settled and live there happily now.

Oh... And why the importance of the mural? My client’s name, the husband, is Robin Christopher, so the house at Pooh Corner literally called his name.

 

 

 

 

Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Cute story.  It's amazing what the trigger might be for some people. In many cases it can be something we would never imagine. 

 

Feb 14, 2014 09:40 AM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

Thanks, Geri. You are so right!

Feb 14, 2014 09:44 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

good morning Monica. What a lovely story. You're right, lisa's challenge made us think of the good world of real estate and that is a gift.

Feb 14, 2014 08:40 PM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

Morning, Sheila! Thanks. We all need those reminders.

Feb 14, 2014 10:37 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Those hand painted walls can be a major attraction but they will not always appeal to the purchasers. The home we purchased had a lot of beautiful art work that we painted over. 

Feb 15, 2014 01:02 AM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

I agree, Roy. Sometimes they are a real drawback. I showed a house one time that had a personalized family tree all along the upstairs wall. NOT a good thing in that case!

Feb 15, 2014 01:56 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Monica,

Thank you - this challenge is providing so many wonderful love stories and reminders of why we love what we do!

Feb 16, 2014 12:33 AM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

Lisa, 

You're welcome... and thank you!

Feb 16, 2014 12:50 AM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

Don't mention wallpaper on the ceiling! I have a listing with this feature, but it would break the heart of the older couple who live there to remove it. So there it stays, and there they stay.

Mar 09, 2014 09:19 AM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

That's a tough one, Carolyn! Good luck.

Mar 09, 2014 12:27 PM