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Don't Upset Santa Clause

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

I don't remember being overly curious about my gifts under the tree and in the house I grew up in the stocking were not hung until Christmas Eve night. In our house we hang the socks up after Thanksgiving so we can put little treats in them right up to Christmas morning.

My sister on the other hand was a shaker and a picker at the seems. I don't know why I never cared to know in advance what was in those packages but maybe it was because I knew I would be pleased with whatever Mom got me.

Now for a lame tie-in to Real Estate, surprises are seldom a good thing. First of all insist on a Property Condition Statement if your State doesn't require it. Bring it along on any/every tour of the house. Look for discrepancies, my favorite is "basement has never had water issues". My experience is you will find evidence of some water issue at some time from stains in building materials in the basement.

If you are convinced that they have been honest on the PCS and you are still interested then hire a licensed Home inspector. During my career in RE I can tell you I've heard "My Dad/Uncle/ friend of a friend was a builder and he will tell me if this is a good house. NOT good enough! Hire a real Home inspector... he will know if the Seller has been naughty or nice.

 

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Do you enjoy the cartoons written by my son (Timmothy N. Timm) which I use as a springboard to write my daily posts? His strip, Titus & Philemon, has run in two newspapers for years as well as being printed in my blog every day. Titus & Philemon (pronounced Phi - Lee -Man) are guinea pigs. Their owner is Joe. Timmothy has never repeated a joke/comic strip in the 12 years he has been writing it. He has never copied another strip, such as Peanuts or Garfield. You can follow Timmothy on FB as Titus & Philemon and you can also check him out on Instagram as Instagram.com/titus and philemon/ .

Show All Comments Sort:
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Bob... my family celebrated on Christmas Eve and gifts would magically appear under our tree while we were at Christmas Eve service. We had no habit of hanging stockings... just lots of little wrapped gifts under the tree that would be considered stocking stuffers. My stockings on my fireplace are just for "show."

Dec 17, 2024 04:28 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Nice! Thank you for sharing your story and pictures Nina Hollander, Broker . BTW I loved the card I received yesterday. 🥰

Dec 17, 2024 06:42 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Bob "RealMan" Timm you're welcome... Merry Christmas!

Dec 17, 2024 10:58 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bob - the family where I grew up celebrated Christmas Eve too.  These days the festivities may vary.  

Dec 17, 2024 04:48 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Yes! We are experiencing changes in our home too Michael Jacobs . Those changes make me a little sad as I don't think we will see Tina (my daughter) and Jonathan over Christmas.

Dec 17, 2024 06:43 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

An inspector in real estate is a must (in my book). As for inspecting presents ahead of time, I do remember doing that once and finding gifts in my parent's walk in closet. I don't remember if they ever found out we knew where they were.

Dec 17, 2024 05:41 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Were the presents wrapped when you found them in the closet Kat Palmiotti ? I don't know how my mom hid them from us BUT maybe she had them wrapped at the store and then brought them home. 🙃

Dec 17, 2024 06:46 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Bob "RealMan" Timm - yes, the presents were wrapped by my parents. We could tell the handwriting as my mother's!

Dec 17, 2024 07:49 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you for sharing your engaging perspective on holiday traditions and their tie-in to real estate, Bob "RealMan" Timm! Your emphasis on diligence and thoroughness in home inspections serves as an important reminder that, much like Santa, we should uncover the truth to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Dec 17, 2024 06:16 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thank you Lew Corcoran . As you know I often stretch things to get them to tie into Real Estate. 😉

Dec 17, 2024 06:48 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Requiring a home inspection is a smart decision by home buyers.

Dec 17, 2024 07:53 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I think so as well Roy Kelley . A real, full time inspector trumps a realative with limited experience in one perticular field anytime.

Dec 17, 2024 08:48 AM