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Oh Beautiful House, I Wish You Could Talk

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

beautiful custom home built in 1930'sThere is very little I know about you, but I have learned this.  Your creator never left you, you have never been sold.  You were built during prohibition.  The last of your creators passed away recently, she and her family lived in and loved you for almost 80 years.

Your designer was flown in from Europe.  After a tour of Hollywood homes, your designer sketched his vision of you on paper, a vision that would eventually come to fruition.  You are different than the surrounding homes.  You are grand.

Your main entrance is up a flight of stairs trimmed with European hand painted tile.  The lower entrance has an iron speakeasy viewer.  Did the women of the house visit in the kitchen while the men drank and smoked cigars downstairs?  Was there ever any trouble during this volatile time in America when it was illegal to drink alcohol?

side of home, tile water fountainDid the family gather 'round the radio in the living room and listen to the news about Pearl Harbor?  Did any of your creators' Sons or Nephews go off to the war?  Did all of them come back?

How many historic moments were witnessed in your womb?  The moon landing?  The assassination of President Kennedy?  The I Have A Dream speech?  Woodstock? The demise of The Challenger?  September 11?

How many celebrations were held in your presence?  There must have been hundreds, maybe thousands of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations and baby showers.  You must have been the venue for every special event, you were created especially for this family.

And now you stand empty, waiting for the next family to love you.  Oh beautiful house, I wish you could talk.  I have admired you from afar for many, many years, and I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

 

 

Posted by

 

Cynthia Larsen (707-332-2560) is an independent real estate referral broker in Sonoma County, California as well as a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist.

CA Broker License #01433049

Comments (16)

Paul Walker
Equity Fifty Five Realty, LLC - Scott AFB, IL
Scott AFB IL Area Realtor

Nice post and perspective on your listing. Which by the way looks very nice.

May 24, 2010 07:10 AM
Vicki Lloyd
The Lloyd Realty Group - San Diego, CA
(619)452-9798, Real Estate San Diego California

So, is this your new listing?  Or is it on the market?   Sounds interesting.

 

May 24, 2010 07:10 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Paul - it's not my listing, but it is on the market.

Vicki - it's on the market.  The owner, via will, specified that her Nephew who is in his 70's will list and sell it.  The information I included in this post is from the Nephew who practically grew up in this house.

May 24, 2010 07:22 AM
Jim Cheney
Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa, CA
Rincon Valley Realtor 707.494.1055

What a great story.  I've been looking at that home on Redwood Hwy in Penngrove for 20+ years.  If you remember, shoot me an email when a lockbox goes on.  I'd love to see the inside.  Perhaps we could meet for an ActiveRain professional tour.   Jim

May 24, 2010 07:46 AM
Jim Cheney
Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa, CA
Rincon Valley Realtor 707.494.1055

PS, I would not want to try to do a BPO on that one.

May 24, 2010 07:47 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Cynthia.....that was one of the most unique presentations for a home that I've ever read....YOU should be the listing agent of that home....do I have a say in this????

May 24, 2010 07:48 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Jim - lockbox is on, MLS #20838716.  Let me know if you are going to see it, I'll meet you there.  You are right about a BPO, I can't think of anything closer than Petaluma that anyone could possibly use for comps.

Barbara - oh, I wish you did have a say.  This home has been on the market for 521 days and there have been NO open houses.  NONE.  You should see the inside of this place, money was no object when this home was built.

May 24, 2010 08:16 AM
Andi Grant
310-508-4354 | FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealEstate.com - Los Angeles, CA
Helping 1st time buyers and home sellers in LA!

I lOVE this houseCynthia!! 

May 24, 2010 04:11 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Andi - oh, so do I.  I waited 22 years for this house to come on the market, I was ecstatic to be able to see the interior.  It's a grand house!

May 24, 2010 05:44 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Cynthia are there more photos available?  My curiosity has been peaked.

May 25, 2010 03:16 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Charita - I tried to send you photos, I can't locate your e-mail address anywhere, not even on your web site.

May 25, 2010 03:31 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Cynthia...What a gorgeous and unique looking home.  I love your story with the questions, wishing the home could speak.  A really nice post.

cosmic cow

May 25, 2010 03:52 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

That's such a unique house, I wish it could talk, too. Maybe it is susceptible to being bribed?

May 25, 2010 04:26 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Carra - have you ever walked into a house and you instantly wanted to know what life was like 'back then'?  This is one of those houses.

Russel - oh, I'd love to turn on some 40's music, buy some cigars, a bottle of whiskey and turn back time.  Walking into this house is like walking into a movie.

May 25, 2010 04:40 AM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

I would love to see the inside of this house.  I agree with you - the stories this house would be able to tell if it could.

May 25, 2010 05:45 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Stacey-Ann: I could sit and listen to the stories this house has all day long.

May 28, 2010 03:18 AM