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Home Is Where The Heart Is!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Retired Broker/Owner AZ Broker BR030809000

Home IS where the heart is in my book!  That's really why I got into real estate to begin with all those years ago.  I had already been helping my clients design their homes to make them feel more like 'their' home and I thought, why not continue on and sell homes too. There's nothing better than finding the perfect home for a client. You can see their faces light up and it's always a joy to see that.  And that went for sellers as well when they were selling their home.  I'd help them design it (stage it for sale) and sometimes when it was complete they would say - OMG this isn't my home - is it!!  Well, yes it is your home, just improved upon!  I gave them the option to stay in the home but they never took me up on it as it really was time for them to move forward.

I wanted to share our personal story of just how much we love our home and we've been living here for 28 years now!  A few years ago we decided to gut the kitchen and bring it up to date.  In the process I came up with this idea to have a "Time Capsule" built into one of the cabinets that was dead space. My thinking was to share with whoever the future owners of our home was,  just how much fun we've had in this home through love letters and other fun items from us and a lot of our friends! We figured that would be years into the future....

Well that kind of back-fired on us this past month when we had a water leak in the kitchen due to cold weather and half of it needed to be gutted. Not exactly what we had planned on as the kitchen is only about 8+ years old!!!

In the process of tearing out the cabinets, one of the workman found our 'Time Capsule"! He couldn't believe that we had gone to all that trouble to do this for future owners.  I smiled and went on to tell him the the back story and then his light bulb went on!  I love that he says!  I should do that in my home!

I went on to share with him that over the  last 8 years we all continued to  put more 'mail' in the Time Capsule Slot whenever there were more updates or other fun things to share.....which  BTW the fun never ends around this home!  Share the love I say!  Tell folks just how much YOU love your home! Even if it could be years in the future. I think it would be a blast to find these 'love letters', don't you!

And this my friends, is exactly what I've loved about real estate all these years - experiencing our clients, friends and family enjoying their homes to the max!

A big thank you to Debe Maxwell, CRS and Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty for hosting this months challenge!  I've so enjoyed reading so many of the entries!

Home truly  is where the heart is!

 

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Comments(16)

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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Anna "Banana" Kruchten leave it to you, Anna, to put a whole other spin on this challenge and a fun one at that!

Feb 22, 2025 09:58 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker you might say the idea just happened to land in my lap by accident.  Whoops I meant kitchen.  Had we not had the kitchen leak the topic probably would not have come to mind.  But I'm glad it did.....it's still about the people and trusting relationships!

Feb 22, 2025 03:46 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

Miss Anna "Banana" Kruchten as I prepared to finalize my post for the challenge today, it all boiled down to people ... the connections we make. No corporate American job or any other "job" could or would ever off us the opportunity to connect with so many people in such a meaningful way.

I like your time capsule fun. One day someone (who knows) will be the recipient💙🧡💛💙

Feb 22, 2025 10:54 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist I so agree.....what an opportunity it's been all these years to build strong and trusting relationships with our client base and networks.  We are the lucky ones!

Feb 22, 2025 03:47 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Anna Banana, Great blog to share with us here in the Rain.  I will be down in your area this Sunday night till Saturday

Feb 22, 2025 12:05 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Will Hamm thank you!   You're going to enjoy the weather this week in PHX - in the 80's.  Yes!  Are you going to spring training games?  Have fun if you are and be prepared for lines!! Oh....don't forget your sunscreen!

Feb 22, 2025 03:49 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Anna "Banana" Kruchten I can relate to what you said about:

        "You can see their faces light up and it's always a joy to see that."

I use to love seeing that same look on their face when I would show up at a closing, and know I was apart of them having that look and feeling.

Feb 22, 2025 12:18 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi George Souto you are a special kind of lender. One that pays attention to details and how people are feeling!

Feb 22, 2025 03:50 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing your heartfelt story, Anna "Banana" Kruchten! I absolutely love the idea of a "Time Capsule" in the kitchen—what a creative way to leave a piece of your joy for future owners!

Feb 22, 2025 12:48 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

 Hi Lew Corcoran 😊 Yes it's been  very fun along the way for all of our friends and fun notes and photos they 'insert' into the mail slot!  It's a kick every time!!  They usually will say - You've got Mail!!

Feb 22, 2025 03:52 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Miss Banana- I love the idea of a time capsule- fun for you and Gary putting it together, and fun for whoever finds it. We inadvertently left a time capsule of sorts in one of our homes. Larry had built cabinets on one wall of a small study. The cabinets had a hidden gun case/storage that was also wired to our alarm system. You could remove the panel via a brass sconce. We forgot to tell the new owners about this. 

Feb 22, 2025 06:10 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Oh Wow Kathy Streib that must have a surprise for the new owners!  Hopefully no alarms went off and stayed for hours and hours?

Feb 23, 2025 09:07 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

I can tell you love your home Anna. Each project update is another act of love as well.

Feb 22, 2025 08:53 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI yes we do much like all our clients over the years!  It's been a fun ride watching them all.

Feb 23, 2025 09:08 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I love your time capsule idea! That would be fun. Hmmmmm....

Feb 23, 2025 06:47 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HI Kat Palmiotti since you guys haven't lived there all that long you could easily create a time capsule with all the fun events you host! 

Feb 23, 2025 09:09 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Anna - the aspect of the story you share is of "light bulb moments".   Isn't that what makes life memorable. 

Feb 23, 2025 07:32 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hey Michael Jacobs there have been so many what I call 'tiny little lights moments' here by so many people I couldn't begin to count them all.  I could see that happening from the very first time I walked into this home all those years ago.  That was a 'light bulb moment'!

Feb 23, 2025 09:11 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

The agent who appreciates finding the house, soon to be loved home, for a buyer is leaps ahead of the agent anxious for the paycheck.  Kudos to you.  m

Feb 23, 2025 07:40 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HI Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho selling real estate has never been about money to me.  But I do know what you're talking about as from time  to time I ran into agents that had ONLY dollar signs in their eyes.  I honestly can't imagine being that way. 

Feb 23, 2025 09:13 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi Anna,

Reading your heartfelt story about 'home' feels genuinely refreshing. Everyone has a unique tale to share, and how you bring yours to life makes it such a powerful and personal way to connect and resonate with readers.

Feb 23, 2025 11:34 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Thank you Aura Alex !  I think it's such a cool idea to do this for the future owners of our home!  And when the kitchen cabinets are re-installed again you can be sure we'll have that 'mail slot'. made again!

Feb 24, 2025 10:10 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, I can totally relate to your post, Anna! I send the video out to my sellers prior to listing the home, after all of the staging and prep. Quite often I hear, "Oh my gosh! I want to buy that house!" I love that they can appreciate the guidance as well as how impactful their efforts were.

As for the time capsule - I love it! I haven't shared love letters but, I have shared photo/video slideshows of our time in the homes (mostly home improvement, landscaping, pool 'fun' and instructions) with the buyers of our homes. The last one (at the lake), we sent out a ton of photos of sunsets, befores & afters and our buyers have all mentioned that they can feel the love in the home too! I think we need to add the love letters as well. What a great gift for buyers! I'm so glad your contractor is even going to do this. For a guy to see the benefit in this is quite remarkable! LOL

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful spin on this month's challenge. I knew it would be smashing!! ❤️

Feb 23, 2025 11:57 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS I was pretty used to that back in my early days as I had a big base of design clients.  It's always fun, when you surprise new folks to just how great their homes could really be once again - and sometimes for the first time.

I can relate to sending out lots of great info for clients as well.  They always seemed to really appreciate that as did the potential buyers.

And I agree..for a guy to think so is kind of cool!

Feb 24, 2025 10:13 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Anna,
I love the time capsule idea. Who knew you'd be the ones to find it. LOL  I know, you're just looking, but now you'll have more fodder to add. What did you use for a "capsule"?

Feb 23, 2025 01:44 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Carol Williams what surprised both of us is how did we not tell you about the mail slot since you've been here often!!  Next time, when the cabinets are back in place we'll have you write a love letter to future owners!!

Feb 24, 2025 10:14 AM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Anna. Your post reminded of an HGTV episode when the remodelers discovered a Time Capsule. Your experience was made for TV  :))

Feb 23, 2025 08:12 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

LOL made for TV except the surprise was on us!  Who knew we'd have a flooded kitchen and have to pull out the cabinets Kris Collis, Associate Broker !!

Feb 24, 2025 10:15 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

First, I am so sorry about the leak in your kitchen that forced you to gut your kitchen twice in 8 years! But hey, you got an award winning post out of it, so there's that! ha

Next, I love that you inspired your contractor to create a time capsule of memories. It really is a great idea. How did you create the "slot" to add additional notes and letters? Curiosity has me puzzled on that.

And as for Kathy Streib's comment about the hidden gun safe -- I sold a home with a hidden safe. We couldn't show it to prospects, but once the house closed, we informed the buyers of the secret gun storage.

The only thing I've ever found while renovated was razor blades that were "disposed of" in the slot of old medicine cabinets. If you're old enough to know, you know what I'm talking about!

Thanks for the smile and for the entry in the February challenge!

 

Feb 24, 2025 06:18 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

My pleasure Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty  love is in the air no matter what!  The show must go on! Creating a 'slot' into the empty  corner cabinet wasn't a big deal.  Why? Because me engineer husband just happens to be a contractor guy! Drill baby drill!  No body would ever know it as there unless we pointed it out.

Oh yes I remember those things - mirrors with slots for razor blades, right?   Never had any in the home I grew up in but I knew of them.

 

 

Feb 26, 2025 12:30 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  You are such a fun person!  You are always looking to make people smile and make them feel good. It is such a special gift always looking on the bright side of life. 

Feb 25, 2025 07:43 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Well Hannah Williams I came by that attitude honestly!  My Mom had the tendency to see  things on the bright side and it wore off on me!  I recall her staying to me when I was still in grade school and mad at a few girls that lived on our block.......You can be as mad as you want but only from 3:00 to 3:15....then you need to 'get over it' and go out and do something nice for someone!!   What was the point of being mad for 15 minutes I thought!!!!

Feb 26, 2025 12:34 PM
Hannah Williams

Anna "Banana" Kruchten I knew you had a Mom like mine.

Feb 26, 2025 05:21 PM