On the way to any closing, potentially troublesome things can come up. Mostly they have to do with repairs, and repair agreements,  or financing, or appraisals,  or surveys, or septic  problems, or finding lost wells without falling in to them, or coordination of schedules, or jitters ...the list goes on. Most of the time, we REALTORS ® troopers that we are, get used to the roller-coaster ride  and sail smoothly through the ups and downs while keeping all parties informed.   Recently however, we came across an unusual obstacle that could have caused our transaction to go awry.  It was large and unwieldy. It could have been a deal -breaker. And, it was alive!

It all started when the Sellers of an incredible home with amazing native landscaping with just one exception,simply forgot to include a family treasure in "Does Not Convey" section on the listing agreement. The Sellers decided after the fact that they wanted to keep a (real) family tree. They had transported it from another State where it had been grafted by the Seller's Granddad.  As luck would have it, the Buyers actually had fallen  in love with that very tree.  There was magic in the air around it, they told all of us.   It was the only tree that the Buyers remembered about the house when they returned to the frozen North. "Reddish and very beautiful'" they reminisced.. .. "If Mrs. W. really wants the tree because it is a family thing, I think she should have it, but it might break our hearts.," sighed the Buyers, disappointedly. And thus dangerous, belated negotiations began.

 What was it worth? How do you put a price on history?   How do you replace a tree with that kind of magic? Finally, a breakthrough. It would be very hard, but perhaps the Sellers could call a nursery and have them deliver a spectacular tree  to replace it.... "They will likely have a hard time finding one that is as mature as that one, but it would be OK if it were "slightly" smaller.  Honestly, we noticed it right off and were looking forward to having it!"  the Buyers communicated.  

"By the way," they added, " 

If we are talking about  the wrong tree, let us know." Asheville Tree, A legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                      One of Asheville's Own Incredible Trees

Looks like the" right" one to some folks..... What do you think?

 

 

####

 

37 Comments on Tree Trouble on the Way to Closing

FEB
21
2007
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Does anyone see  a little magic in that tree?
12:34am • #1
370,021 Points 62 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Magic seeds turned into a magic tree and eventually it magically started a disbute between sellers and buyers.

5:33am • #2
3 Featured Posts
Are you saying that the sellers wanted to take this entire tree, it looks enormous ?  What species is it and how much would cost to move?
2:32pm • #3
535,337 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Surely you jest with your photo - they can't possibly want to move that! 
4:05pm • #4
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Chris...luckily the magic prevailed...and the tree was replaced with a Japanese Maple...that turns red in the Fall...and everyone lived happily ever after =)
10:11pm • #5
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Bill...The tree in the photo was the "wrong" tree... I let them know. All parties had a happy transplanting.
10:13pm • #6
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Sharon...Right you are...Funny thing about trees...some people can't tell them apart. What matters to one person , may be only a point for argument for another. Luckily, we found the magic when we needed it...through communicatin and caring.
10:16pm • #7
FEB
22
2007
4 Featured Posts
What a great story.  I wondered how on earth you could move a tree that size.  Maybe that really is the majic tree and once you put the picture up everything else just fell together.
10:10am • #8
I'm disappointed.  I wanted to hear a story about how they moved the tree in the picture.  That would have been a good one!
3:13pm • #9
Good Job, it seems all worked out.
6:07pm • #10
18 Featured Posts

I can see this happening. My Dad has a Japanese Red Maple that he grafted and brought home to Washington from Arizona. It has matured into a beautiful tree and sits squarely in the front of their property. If they were to sell, I know it would be an issue.

I am also curious as to what the costs for moving that huge tree were? Did it survive?

6:08pm • #11
184,470 Points 1 Featured Post

All's well that ends well.

 

Patricia Aulson...REALTOR.SEACOAST NH & ME 

6:14pm • #12
610,277 Points 244 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Now janeAnn that could have been quite the closing issue. I'm glad all ended well. Removing the landscaping is going a little overboard on the sellers part.
6:18pm • #13
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Virginia...it is a great story. Every time I get to be part of a story that has a happy ending, or a funny twist, or that moves me to a  new understanding, I am grateful to be a REALTOR. How many other professions have such a wealth of opportunities to tell out Grandkids what happened "back in the Day"?
6:28pm • #14
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Richard...Alas! The tree in the picture is not the one in this tale of compassion. But it is  one of my favorite magic trees, because.....iIf you look very, very closely at it, you may discover an elf in the crook of the limbs....let me know =)
6:31pm • #15
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Michael...Sometimes I think it takes a little magic for things to work out...or is it another component? Insight borne from caring? I sure am happy for all involved that it did work out!
6:33pm • #16
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Kelli... I bet your Dad sees the tree he personally grafted and transported and nutured as a Friend-of-a-gorgeous-kind. I have heard that trees actually communicate with each other. Maybe they talk with those who care for them, too(??) The tree that was transplanted did survive and is doing very well on a 40 AC horse farm. (see my note above to Richard)

6:38pm • #17
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Patricia..."all's well that ends well..." quoth the Poet...with Shakespearean glee.

Bryant...You know, you are so right...but what's a seller to do when she is certain that  her tree "can communicate for defense...and was already drooping with abandonment anxiety"...?? =)

6:44pm • #18
358,296 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Boy -- how can you move that tree?  I don't think there would be enought magic to help the tree with a transplant.  Well, you will have to keep us posted on what transpired next -- was there Magic?  Does the tree survive?  Do the buyers liver happily ever after?
6:57pm • #19
462,698 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
This is just a reminder how different things could come up that are potential deal breakers, things that we might consider insignificant.
7:05pm • #20
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I'm smiling, Joan!..Check out my comment to Richard (above)...there was and is magic! And when we reach a million members here at AR, we're all going to Disneyworld to prove it!
7:29pm • #21
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Jennifer...yes, I once heard of a  broker who forgot to include the refrigerator on the listing sheet and ended up himself providing one for the buyers ...We are given to the practice of "details, details" and must also develop the eye of the Tiger!
7:32pm • #22
1 Featured Post
I love Japanese Maples! There is an agent I work with that recently had to hire an Arborist to inspect a tree to make sure it was sound after a recent storm ripped through Saint Louis,  MO.  It was a potential deal breaker.  Lucky for the agent only a few limbs had to be removed and the rest of the tree was solid. An Arborist, who'd thunk it.
8:53pm • #23
177,161 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It's funny the things that will come up. And, it never fails, it's always the item that the buyers fell in love with. Japanese Red Maples are beautiful trees though. Glad it all worked out for everyone.
11:50pm • #24
FEB
23
2007
4 Featured Posts

I'd leave the tree where it is, trees aren't very happy being moved.

Let the sellers get another graft from grandpa for their new house.

7:49am • #25
121,010 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Trees are, indeed, magical.  I can easily see becoming very attached to a particular tree, especially one with that history.  Glad to know that there were TWO  magic trees on the property, and they spoke to different parties in  the transaction! 

 

10:16am • #26
As you know, I read your BLOG ever week. I started reading it when I discovered you on Google . I was searching for green investment properties.Since then I have come back every week because I know I am going to find an uncommon perspective that will give me food for thought. THIS post  the cake, I have to say.How did you manage to capture this charming story? KUDOS to you, janeAnne.
John Thomas
10:30am • #27
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Angela...I like your story as much as mine! Thanks for sharing it.
7:52pm • #28
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Ryan...I am wondering what remarkable item would your buyers fall in love with in Edmond, OK? Do you have a photo of your area? I'd love to see it!
7:54pm • #29
FEB
24
2007
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Tricia....Having read every article you have written on your BLOG, I can say that you  have your finger on the pulse of serendipity ...and see multiple opportunities where they exist. Possibly THAT is the secret of success in any endeavor. Thanks for your comment.
8:22pm • #30
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Hi Luke...I know what I'm gonna send you for your birthday . See photo above . Well maybe not the whole tree, just a wee graft,maybe. =)
11:17pm • #31
FEB
26
2007
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
John...Thanks for reading my BLOG every week. It sure makes me feel good to know that there is something here you find worthwhile. So you think "Magic Trees" takes the cake, eh? Wait until you see what I'm gonna' write this week ... 
9:42am • #32
MAR
06
2007

You wrote: What was it worth? How do you put a price on history?   How do you replace a tree with that kind of magic?  And that made me think. So I told you I would be back to see what you would have to say next week,

So I have checked back to see what you would write. There was this article "A Little Humor" on riding with a client that got me wondering if it was about me, until the guy showed up smoking a cigar. TLW said this was a masterpiece. I agree.

John Thomas
3:03pm • #33
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
John...Putting things in perspective, I like to think, let's us feel comfortable in-our surroundings. Taking the time to appreciate each-other and our own brand of magic, whether that be an "uncommon" personality or a Family tree, just makes sense to me. How about you?
7:49pm • #34
NOV
30
2007
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
UPDATED: one of my favorite featured posts =) Tree Trouble on the Way to Closing
3:17pm • #35
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
UPDATED: one of my favorite featured posts =) Tree Trouble on the Way to Closing
3:17pm • #36
321,348 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
UPDATED: one of my favorite featured posts =) Tree Trouble on the Way to Closing
3:17pm • #37

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janeAnne, Asheville's "Green-o-Lina" NAR GREEN Real Estate Consultant

Asheville, NC

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GREEN Eco-Friendly LAND & Green Built Homes

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Real Estate & Green Resources INFO from Asheville's original and only ALL Eco Certified ® Real Estate Consultants Brokerage. Our "GREEN Team" is ECO-friendly, into sustainable innovation, highly focused on quality of property and LIFE, and has YOU in mind.
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