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Mail from the Murder House

By
Real Estate Agent with Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 MD594797

I got mail! 

Sometime in November, @Dayton_Architecture, one of the many old house appreciating accounts I follow on Instagram, put out the call for the Old House Lovers Holiday Card Exchange

The idea was to connect people within the old house community and to send an "old-fashioned physical piece of mail". I am totally old fashioned when it comes to the latter and jumped right onboard. I also very much like the idea of humanizing this virtual world, of adding a personal touch that produces something very tangible.  

Dayton_architecture collected names and contact info until the beginning of December, used a randomizer to pair people up and encouraged everyone to drop their card in the mail before year's end. 

I got mine just in time for Christmas! My letter came from the Murder House in MA! I was so intrigued. 

The Murder House is an 1892 Victorian that sits in the middle of town, and was dubbed that because of its very detailed woodwork and the decorating style @rebeccanothingknapp is going for, inspired by the old ladies from "Arsenic and Old Lace." Love it!

My exchange partner Rebecca also included a lovely note sharing a bit more of the homes history, how lucky they were to score such a fabulous historic property just about one year ago and how much fun they've been having picking out wallpaper and period furnishings. You all know that I am just itching to see it, don't you? 

Old House Lovers Card Exchange

I sent off my card sharing the story of how it all began, which I enjoyed just as much as receiving my mail from the Murder House! The Old House Lovers Card Exchange was such a neat idea, it definitely made this Christmas extra special. 

Once Upon A Haus... how it all began

*****

♥ It's always been the vintage, the old house charm, and the original details that I adore the most, that draw me in, make my [REALTOR®] heart flutter, and prompt me to pause, to listen, and then to retell their stories. I specialize in finding and marketing charming homes that are unique and rich in character, or history, or both. I believe in preservation, second chances, saving the pink bathrooms, and front porch living. In this series I highlight charming homes that I am listing to find just the right buyer for or I am admiring with my special clients; or that have simply caught my eye while exploring the [historic] communities of Maryland and [far] beyond. Adore charming homes as much as I do? Then I'd love it if you'd follow me on Instagram, @onceuponahaus is where I grow my curated collection. ♥

Posted by

Andrea Bedard
Thompson Co., REALTORS®

Silver Spring, Maryland
andreabedard.com

Fluent in Real Estate and German.
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Comments(17)

Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Did you you say MA? As in Massachusetts? Where in Massachusetts? As you know I lived in Boston MA for 10+ years... on a side note we have a Murder House here in Los Angeles too:)Endre

Dec 28, 2021 10:44 PM
Andrea Bedard

Yes, yes I did Endre Barath, Jr., MA as in Massachusetts! Milford, in the greater Boston area, so you'll probably be familiar. I am pretty sure that I've at least driven through it on my way to visiting friends in MA and NH.  

Dec 29, 2021 07:13 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Being from Massachusetts, this book has caught my attention.  Thanks for the post, have a productive Hump Day. bill

 

Dec 29, 2021 04:12 AM
Andrea Bedard

It's a Christmas card I received from a fellow old house lover Bill Salvatore - YVP Blog. It's not a book, but it ought to be! Thank you, you as well. 

Dec 29, 2021 07:14 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I was worried that it was named such because there was a murder in the house, haha.

Dec 29, 2021 04:14 AM
Andrea Bedard

 Brian England  Imagine how intrigued I was when I opened the letter and saw "Merry Christmas from the Murder House"! I followed up with Rebecca to hear more of the story.. love it!

Dec 29, 2021 07:16 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

What a great concept, Andrea... and fun! Loved the story behind the murder house. And loved the look of your card. It would certainly get attention.

Dec 29, 2021 04:45 AM
Andrea Bedard

I enjoyed this so much Nina Hollander, Broker that I'll encourage Alex, the human behind Dayton Architecture to do it again next year. I'll most definitely participate!

Dec 29, 2021 07:18 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Andrea - from your post title, I thought I might "find" a book review.   However, discovered another way you experience success humanizing the virtual world.  But it still seems like it might be a good book title, right?  Of course, with a twist. . .   Nothing quite so ordinary. 

Dec 29, 2021 04:57 AM
Andrea Bedard

It would be a great book title Michael Jacobs! Humanizing the virtual world.. that may just be my theme for 2022! 

Dec 29, 2021 07:19 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That sounds like a great way to meet new people, see new homes, learn more about the architecture you love. How wonderful!

Dec 29, 2021 05:01 AM
Andrea Bedard

Isn't it Kat Palmiotti? I hope to chat with Rebecca some more and follow her progress as they renovate the Murder House and bring back some of its historic charm.  

Dec 29, 2021 07:20 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Andrea, what a fun idea, and I too thought there had been a murder in the home.    Jon Benet was killed in a home in Boulder, that home still has a stigma on it.

Dec 29, 2021 05:27 AM
Andrea Bedard

That's the first thing that popped into my head, too Joan Cox! I was so intrigued that I had to follow up with my exchange partner right away... and I was relieved that it got its nickname for a different reason. 

Dec 29, 2021 07:22 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This program is a great way to may new contacts while having a good time.

Enjoy the holidays.

Dec 29, 2021 07:14 AM
Andrea Bedard

Very much so! Thank you Roy Kelley. I hope you'll have a fantastic start into the new year. 

Dec 29, 2021 07:25 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI Andrea Bedard - What an interesting story.  We don't have a lot of really old homes where I live in Sedona or the Verde Valley of Arizona.  What you may find occasionally is a territorial ranch home or a real adobe home.  I always find these fascinating. Happy Wednesday!

Dec 29, 2021 09:56 AM
Andrea Bedard

Thank you! Historic/older/vintage homes are my passion Sheri Sperry - MCNE®. I love to listen and retell their stories. 


I have never seen an adobe home, I would find that fascinating! 

Dec 29, 2021 05:18 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Andrea- what a wonderful idea!!!!  I love your passion for older homes and the stories behind them. And yes...I hope they do it again next year. 

Dec 29, 2021 06:44 PM
Andrea Bedard

I love discovering these old homes Kathy Streib and retell their stories. I am in if the Christmas card exchange is happening again next year! 
Perhaps we should start one for the AR Community, too? 

Dec 31, 2021 07:37 AM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Andrea,

Cool niche and great that you are loving and sharing old houses. What a lovely idea by whoever started the exchange. Old House Lovers Agnosco unite!

Jan 01, 2022 07:22 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jan 01, 2022 07:22 PM
Andrea Bedard

Thank you Kathy! 

Jan 03, 2022 08:26 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Andrea - this is a great idea.  There are two very nicely maintained Victorian houses near us in Mt. Kisco, NY.  I will have to take a picture for you.  I love these houses.

Jan 02, 2022 06:20 AM
Andrea Bedard

Ohhh, I would love that Grant Schneider! I'm also always looking for beautiful old homes to add to my Instagram feed - I was thinking of offering that to my AR peeps.  

Jan 03, 2022 08:27 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Andrea Bedard   An interesting post, and different as well.  I know of another house that I pass by on occasion and shudder as there were 7 people that were killed in that house 

Jan 02, 2022 08:21 AM
Andrea Bedard

I would shudder, too, Ed Silva! No murders have been committed at this "Murder House" in MA, it's just a play on decorating style.  

Jan 03, 2022 08:29 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I wouldn't hire the crew that named this house for my marketing team, it is eye catching, but what an odd leap for the name LOL.

Jan 02, 2022 09:07 AM
Andrea Bedard

It works for the owners Thomas, and I am a fan of their decorating style! I knew from the get-go that the story is not a sad one and found it intriguing. 

Jan 03, 2022 08:31 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

How fun is this Andrea Bedard! I love the concept. Old houses hold so much charm and if only those walls could talk! Thank you for sharing.

Jan 02, 2022 04:28 PM
Andrea Bedard

I loved participating Dorie Dillard Austin TX, and hope there's a repeat next year! 

Jan 03, 2022 08:31 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Great blog post and an even better title for a book series

Jan 05, 2022 11:01 PM