What Makes a House a Home?
It took me a while to realize that Realtors are in the Life Business. It is real life events that trigger people's needs to sell or buy. It can be stressful at times for everyone involved even when the reason for seeking a move is generally positive. There are times when I am presented with a situation where the only thing you can do is listen and try to be part of the solution.
A few years ago, my brother and I were flying to Vancouver Island to attend the funeral of a family member. Because it was a last minute decision, we were seated in different rows of the plane. Beside me was a young woman with a pale complexion. We started to talk, and I was shocked with the news she was going home to die. She had HIV and had been estranged from her family for some time, but when her parents learned of her diagnosis, there had been no hesitation in the invitation to come back. Home was going to be the final destination for her.
This week a client asked me to help a friend of hers with making a decision about whether to fight a foreclosure action or not. In this case, a husband's addiction to crack cocaine had torn a young family apart. All that was left of the marriage other than two children was a seven year old house that needed a complete refresh. It was no longer a home for either party.
A year and a half ago, I was asked to do an opinion of value on a 30 year old house for a divorcee. She was considering moving to be closer to children and grandchildren. I gave her some advice on how to improve the value should she decide to sell. Recently, I was called back for an update and I laughed to find out that the contractor she had hired had now become her new husband! They may move but if they do, it will be to set up a home that meets both their needs.
A co-worker from a former career called to see a condo. She and her husband were considering moving into town from the farm. It's a very difficult decision, and one that can cause a lot of anxiety. It means that one phase of life is drawing to a close, something that men in particular are prone to put off as long as possible. Sometimes so long, that his widow makes the move without him.
Several weeks ago, we met some old friends who had just arrived back from an extended winter holiday in Arizona. Usually they hauled their fifth wheel trailer down, but this time had purchased a two bedroom condo. They now had a winter home and summer home with friends in both locations. Home to them is where they are at the time.
One of the more enjoyable activities of being a Realtor is helping a young individual or couple select, then buy their first home. Handing over the keys on the day of possession and listening to the plans to turn a house into home that will be unique to them is one of the pleasures in a business where we too often see homes turned back into simple houses again.
Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster. For more helpful hints on buying or selling real estate visit www.vernmcclelland.com or call him at 306.821.0611
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