When it's time to Say Goodbye to a House you Love.
I fell in love with the property on my first visit. The 100 year-old farm house shone with careful restoration and charm. The acreage that surrounded it was dotted with heirloom fruit trees and organic pathways winding through a variety of flower and veggie gardens.
The owner, and mother of one of my recent clients, wanted my opinion as to its value. True comps were hard to find, but we came up with a plan for pricing. However, after a long interview, we determined she wasn’t emotionally ready to sell.
Our relationship developed into a warm friendship, and four years later she was finally ready to say goodbye. Years of taking care of the house on her own ( after her husband died) had taken its toll. She longed for a new vision and new adventures.
It didn’t take long to get an offer, and fortunately it was a cash buyer with plenty of motivation. The couple, who owned an adjacent property, wanted to buy the house for their daughter and son-in-law. This would secure them a large parcel of land and another home for their family estate.
Getting a loan on the property might have been quite difficult. It’s built on a skirted post and pier foundation. In addition, at that time, there was no heat source to the second floor bedrooms. ( A ductless heating system has since been installed by the buyers)
The process of selling was an emotional one. The property was filled with memories - her children had played in a nearby creek, her daughter’s wedding was held in one of the gardens, a dog was buried
underneath a tree in back of the barn.
At times, it proved difficult to walk that fine line between friendship and a professional relationship. Fortunately, her son and daughter, also both excited for their mom’s freedom from the upkeep of the home, helped through the difficult moments.
The children threw a birthday party for their mom, the weekend before she moved out. Guests (including me) gathered in the gardens on a warm summer day and enjoyed libations, delicious food, and shared fond stories. It was the perfect time to say goodbye to a well-loved house.
( This is an entry in AR's February Contest - Love is in the Air! Thanks Lisa Von Domek)
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