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Mark's 2nd Closing

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Managing Real Estate Broker with Howard Hanna Rand Realty License # 49FA1074963

Mark's 1st closingAlmost exactly 2 years ago, on October 14, 2009, we closed on my in-laws' co op in Queens. It was the end of an era, as my wife had grown up in that apartment; it had been in her family for decades. That day, we had a babysitting challenge, and we were forced to bring our 2-year old son, Mark, to the closing in New York City. Like it wasn't hard enough. If you told me that the buyer's attorney was also going to be 90 minutes late for the closing on top of all that, I would have asked for an adjournment. But, there we were in an office, with a two year old, at a closing table for almost 4 hours. 

And the 2-year old was the best behaved person in the room. The whole time. Mark just sat there like it was business as usual, munching on his crackers and taking the odd swig from his sippy cup, and fell asleep on his mom's shoulder just when they were passing out checks. 

Fast forward 2 years and 5 days- Mark is home with Dad for the day, and Mom is called out. There is a closing at noon with a client I have been working with for ages. And we have the same lawyer on our side as we did two years ago! 

So, off to Great Neck, Long Island we two men went, and Mark was again a well behaved guy. The closing was at the bank, and they just happened to have chocolate cake because it was the Big Cheese's birthday. They asked Mark to try out the cake before anyone else to make sure it was yummy. 

And sugared up, the little guy was still a champ. 

He is clearly his mother's son. 

Mark doing everyone a favor and tasting the birthday cake

Mark and Laura Browne, one of the best real estate attorneys in New York

Tiring day at the office

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All content/images, unless noted, are the property of J. Philip Faranda & may not be used without permission

Comments(23)

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Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

We have such a wonderful job and so much freedom...I say if Buyers can bring their kids while looking at homes we can bring ours when we close...

Oct 19, 2011 03:55 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Phillip:  You have a really good-looking son, my friend.  And... it looks like he already knows how to charm the ladies.  It appears that you wore the little guy out.

Oct 19, 2011 03:58 PM
Kirsten Lindquist
Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA
Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

Phillip:  I remember spending time with my mom the broker many years ago...not as a wee one but as a daughter proud of her mom's good work.  Keep taking him along...occasionally.  He'll have fond memories when he's older.

Oct 19, 2011 04:29 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Awww ...how great... what a nice looking young man.  I took my granddaughter to a closing once and she was a perfect little lady.  

Oct 19, 2011 05:05 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Phil you are a lucky guy!  What a fun story of your little guy who's a born broker in the making! Great photos!

Oct 19, 2011 05:26 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Phil, Mark is so cute! No wonder why he got all the attention. Love the photos!

Oct 19, 2011 10:50 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Joan- so true, anyting can happen in this business! 

Kathy- I linked to an even bette one when he fell asleep on his mom's shoulder. 

Loreena, YES- it can go eiher way. Luckily, Mark is like his mom and always does the right thing. I would have been a nightmare at that age. 

Evelyn, Amen. Rare is the time when I bring one of the cubs, but I have never regretted it. 

Karen, I am extremely biased, because I SO agree with you. He is special. 

Lirsten- so well put. Rare is the time we take one along, but sometimes circumstances make the decision for us. I've never wished otherwise after- it always seems like the people we are dealing with are the folks with the willingness to have them along. 

Shirley- And I am sure people still remind you of that (and you remind her!). 

Anna- Yes, he'll run the empire someday if he chooses, he's a remarkable little guy in my biased, paternal opinion. 

Oct 19, 2011 10:53 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

These pictures are so cute, Phil.  I'm so glad he was well behaved both times.  He made you proud and I'm so happy.

Oct 19, 2011 11:10 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Phil, Great story!  And despite the cake he was smooth and professional :)  Easy to see why he crashed out on the way home!

Oct 19, 2011 11:27 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I was going to say something about maternal genetics, Joe, but you precluded me with your last line!  Bummer...

Oct 20, 2011 12:15 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Phil,

This is a great story! You have a fine looking son and he is learning at an early age about his dad's work :).

Oct 20, 2011 01:08 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Good morning Phil, you are really lucky-my son was 20,000 volts at that age and could never sit still-great story and beautiful child!

Oct 20, 2011 01:36 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Great stuff J Phil.  I probably would not have been that good at that age.  :)  

Oct 20, 2011 01:40 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

You know I just adore all of your kids! What a great photo of Mark and Laura!

Oct 20, 2011 01:50 AM
Susan West
RE/MAX Mountain Properties - Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ - ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, SFR

Hi Phil,

What a precious little boy and he even looks like an agent!!  He's got a great mentor/dad.

Make it a GREAT day.

SW

Oct 20, 2011 03:22 AM
Gayle Barton, Forsyth County Real Estate
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties - Cumming, GA
Cumming GA Homes For Sale (404) 710-0204

Hi Phil,  I've never had to take my son to a closing (outside our own personal properties), but I have delt with MANY of my clients's kids in that situation (what a headache!) 

How proud you must be to have such a well behaved child!  So many these days aren't.....  Oh, and pretty darn cute too!

Oct 20, 2011 04:40 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Red Hook, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Phil that is  so cute, and the photos are precious.  I think he is a Realtor in training.

 Congrats on your closing.

A couple months ago I was working with a buyer with a very young son, and he was present for the entire process.  He was so well behaved, I took the family blueberry picking.

Oct 20, 2011 04:30 PM
Valerie Duncan Stewart
(Metro First Realty) - Oklahoma City, OK
Real Estate Agent-Broker, OKC, OK

J. Phil,

What a great kid! I remember going to closings with my grandmother when she was a broker, can't remember if I was well behaved or not! Great introduction into the real estate world for Mark. :D

Oct 21, 2011 03:56 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Cute. And after a long hard day, he took a nap in the car. thats awesome!

Oct 21, 2011 03:57 AM
Anne M. Costello
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA

Phil: Your son is adorable - but make no mistake well behaved children are taught how to behave at home.  I marvel at my clients' behaved children - sitting in the office, behaving well as we visit houses. It's the occasional wild one that stands out - because they appear only occasionally.

Oct 22, 2011 12:01 AM