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True Confessions of a House-a-holic!

By
Real Estate Agent with Solid Source Realty GA 320764

It's true.

 I'm addicted to buildings. Always have been.

 I suppose it's the artist in me. The same uncontainable imagination that helps me create characters and paint pictures, also flings me headlong into the hidden mysteries of houses. I can't help myself.

 I doubt there is any help for me. I am hopelessly enamored of houses of every size, shape and age. You want me to buy your sappy romance novel, just put a big house on the cover. (Some of you can relate, I know it.)

 You see, the lovely, interesting,  or surprising has always delighted my eye. The marvel of architecture old and new, captivates my mind. I am seduced by the sensual dance of light and shadow, of line, texture, color and design. These thrill me. The audacity of skyscrapers, for instance, makes me laugh out loud and feel like skipping. Even now, at my age.

 But it's houses that most stir my blood. Because houses are about people's real, intimate lives, and yes, people do make my world go 'round. I love people like God loves people. I do.

 People and houses go together.

 So, houses, and the stories that unfold behind their decorative doors and sparkling (or even grimy) windows, the secrets they keep, the joy they bring, the lives they nurture -- houses and the history and promise they hold never fail to catch my imagination and run with it. I love houses for the people (and pets) who have lived in them, live in them now, and and those that will live in them someday.

 A favorite game of mine is to read a house like a book.  As a child traveling the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its many and varied neighborhoods, I would amuse myself by imagining all the interesting people and their amazing lives. From rowhouse to mansion, shotgun to multi-storied flat, to the fancy painted Victorian ladies, I loved them all. Even the rather plain post-war framed homes tenaciously hugging the hillsides, or the mid-century brick ranches and split-levels of my own working-class neighborhood just west of downtown. It's a love affair that has never for a minute waned or faltered.

 I lived a few places since those girlhood days, from coast to coast and north to south. I now reside and work in Atlanta. America is a treasury of wonderful homes of every imaginable style. Every state has it's share of pure gems, and Georgia is no exception. Atlanta and it's surrounding communities are a house-aholic's dream!

 And that's why I'm doing what I do. After years of flirting with the idea of someday getting into real estate and actually making houses my business, I finally made the leap. And let me tell you, even in this challenging market cycle, I have no regrets.

 Because I get to do what I love -- houses.

Comments (10)

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

good thing you are in real estate

Jun 23, 2008 09:30 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Elva, can't believe it took me three years to discover your blog!  I just subscribe.

Aug 17, 2011 02:02 PM
Elva Branson-Lee
Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA
CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

Patricia, thanks so much for the subscription. And WELCOME! I am so glad you discovered me at all.

Aug 18, 2011 08:02 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Elva!  I included this post in Last Week's Favorites  Have a great Sunday!

Aug 21, 2011 05:04 AM
Kim & Kristine Halverson
Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR
Sisters, Realtors

house a holic, love it!  Kristine

Aug 21, 2011 06:30 AM
Mary Macy
Top Agents Atlanta Metro - Roswell, GA
Top Agents Atlanta Metro

REally liked the House a holic thing, you have to be that to really survive real estate, this business is so good that you don't need TV or anything else, great to know another house a holic right here in Atlanta, thanks to my friend Patricia for including you in the favorites.

Aug 21, 2011 06:38 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks to Pat, I discovered you three years late...but plan to see what other wonderful things you have to say!

Margaret

Aug 21, 2011 01:44 PM
Nancy Milton Holtzscher
RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs - Edwardsville, IL
Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR

Pat's post sent me over and I've subscribed!

Aug 21, 2011 02:24 PM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

You were born for this field! I love houses, too, and when I find myself bored, I search for houses online in different parts of the country, just for the fun of it.


Gretchen

Aug 21, 2011 04:25 PM
Elva Branson-Lee
Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA
CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

Kristine - Thanks for dropping by.

Mary - Think we should start an "Anonymous" group? Trouble is...I don't WANT to quit!

Margaret - So grateful to Patricia for her post, and please do come again.

Nancy Milton - WELCOME, and I'm so flattered that a writer such as yourself would subscribe to my blog.

Gretchen - You, too? 

 

You ladies sure know how to make a sister's Monday morning!!!

Aug 22, 2011 12:52 AM