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"Don't Mind the Sheep"

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

File this under "you can't make this up."

Whilst confirming the home inspection with a seller client, he filled me in on garage access and then casually said " oh- don't mind any free roaming sheep if you see them on the property. The adjoining 98 acre farm is corralling them in." 

Now, after 15 years in the business I seldom look at my phone and laugh, but this is one of those surreal moments. This is New York. I could be in Manhattan in half an hour with the wind at my back. Sheep? 

Yes, sheep. The home is located in Brewster, NY, bordering the top of Westchester County, NY in neighboring Putnam County. My uncle's family lived in Brewster for many years and visiting his home was like going to a farm; it had a pond, 2 acres of land, and they rode their lawnmower instead of pushing it. I always related to that city mouse/country mouse story from childhood because of this. 

Just about all of Putnam is pastoral, bucolic, often wooded, and an awesome quality of life with Westchester a stones throw away and New York a manageable commute. My clients, a couple of super awesome special education teachers, still work in southern Westchester, where they grew up. 

And apparently, they have gotten accustomed to some runaway sheep every so often. For me that is still going to take some getting used to! 

This is what is so great about Westchester and the surrounding areas like Putnam: A little south of us is Broadway and Times Square. A little north is horse farm country. There is no place like this in the world. 

I have no photos of myself and a sheep, so I settled for a cow.

Want to find your own home (with or without sheep) in Brewster? Get yourself a free Listingbook account. 

 
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Phil, I know you are a city boy and so should be forgiven.... however that is not a sheep in the photo, just sayin....

Try MOOOOO as a clue...

Dec 02, 2011 06:41 AM
Gayle Barton, Forsyth County Real Estate
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties - Cumming, GA
Cumming GA Homes For Sale (404) 710-0204

I loved the picture!  Here is a picture of what I run into from time to time as part of my daily showing schedule.  It will certainly keep you on your toes!  Have a great weekend.

Dec 02, 2011 08:22 AM
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Better sheep than cow pies... and I agree with Andrea about that NOT being a sheep in the background of your photo.  My 3 year old son will lend you his farm book, if needed.

Just remember, it could always have been worse.

Dec 02, 2011 08:30 AM
Dan Jasmer
Fine Properties - Sarasota, FL
Changing the way you look at real estate

Phil, Your photo was a great way to end my Friday! Thanks foir sharing.

Dec 02, 2011 08:30 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Very funny. I can tell you are a New Yorker. Sheep in the yard is actually quite normal in my neck of the woods. And please brush up on your farm animals :)

Dec 02, 2011 09:00 AM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

OK wise guys! I know what a sheep is but if you'll hover your cursors over the photo you'll understand!!

 

BAAAAAaaah 

Dec 02, 2011 12:56 PM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Did you place an order for a wool sweater while you were there? And maybe a leather jacket too?
Mel

Dec 02, 2011 01:08 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Phil...

We have a huge county, and there are plenty of rural areas, but there are a lot more cows and goats than sheep. They are not very common here.

Dec 02, 2011 02:47 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

And a very nice cow it is Mr City Mouse, lol.  This was a terrific story.  Now the story I want to hear about has to do with your cow ;-D

Dec 02, 2011 03:03 PM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

I'm glad you don't have any pictures of yourself and sheep. A picture like that can ruin a man's career. Just sayin'.

Dec 02, 2011 04:51 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I have one word, Philip, "baaaa".

Dec 02, 2011 04:57 PM
Anne M. Costello
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA

Phil: As a real city mouse (Philadelphia) I would have a hard time calling Ossining, NY a city. Just saying....  Loved the post.

Dec 02, 2011 09:05 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I love the lambie in the background.

And I admit, I have never run into sheep on a home inspection - horses, cows, dogs, cats and stuff - but never sheep.  You would have done better with a cow in your photo.

Or is this one of those "Separated At Birth?" posts?  You both have the same cute dimple.

Dec 02, 2011 10:53 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

And I did hover, but you deserve all of these that can come attacha!

Dec 02, 2011 10:54 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

I don't live far from you Phil... Right across from my office is a stable of horses!! We are close to everything though....Commuters love the location as we are a short train ride from Beacon NY on Metro North to Grand Central Station!! The countryside is absolutely beautiful... we don't have so many sheep here.. but it could be arranged for anyone that is looking!

 

Hudson Valley, New York

Dec 03, 2011 12:06 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

That's certainly a relaxed and happy look on your face.  Sounds like a nice change of pace  you encountered.

Dec 03, 2011 03:53 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Great post, very funny! Had my exercise for the day. After reading Bryant's comment, then your response, then going back up to hover the mouse....?Whew!!  Lot of work!

Dec 03, 2011 06:38 AM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

I hate to tell you, City Boy:  But that ain't no sheep in that there barnyard.

Dec 03, 2011 06:06 PM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

I should know:  I not only grew up among sheeo, but I have been sitting here, in the city counting sheep....while waiting for my comment to actually finish "submitting".

Dec 03, 2011 06:09 PM
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

Nineteen miles from the City but we have no sheep. We don't have yards with enough grass to accommodate sheep.  They have to stay north.

Dec 05, 2011 08:48 AM