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Was That You? A Vacation Encounter With a Real Estate Twist

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty
Have you ever seen someone in a totally different place then you expect to see them?  When we were on vacation last week we went to Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, SC for a day at the beach.  I promise vacation photos are on the way but I had to share this strange story with you today because of a phone call I received yesterday.

While we were eating lunch at the picnic tables behind the dunes my son's girlfriend looked at the family gathered at the next table and said "I think that girl went to school with us."  I thought- well you know a lot of people look like other people and said as much but she kept saying that she was almost sure.  Then I saw one of the men at the table had a Pine Bush T-shirt on. OMG- it was a family from our home area!  I told the kids to go say hi but they said they really did not remember the girl's name and would have been embarrassed to say something without knowing that much (this will seem strange to you who don't know that the class they graduated with was almost 600 kids large).  Anyway later we were getting ready to take a tour of the Spanish-style castle Atalaya, former winter home and studio of noted American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington (AWESOME) and the family passed by us to hear we were from Pine Bush and gave a shout out.  After that the kids finally remembered the girl's name but the family was gone by the time we were done with the tour.

Fast forward to yesterday when I got a call to set up an appraisal appointment for a property I am acting as buyer's agent for in a sale.  The appraiser said his name and you guessed it - the same last name as the girl on the beach.  I said "Were you in  South Carolina last week?"  He said "Was that you?" and we were both stunned.  Not only did we see another family from our home in a different and distant location, eat lunch right next to them, and tour the same house but we now will be working on the same deal.  

It is truly a small world and you never know who you will meet.  I am just glad I wasn't being wild and crazy when I saw him down there.  It could have been embarrassing!  

Comments (27)

Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Wow - Paddy!  I am not surprised - it is a very small world.  Too long of a story but I saw my ex-brother and ex-nephew who live in PA (I am in NC) at a gas station along I-95 in Florida.  EXTREMELY FREAKY!  None of us had huge connections that would have put us in that area at the same time and of ALL the gas stations along I-95 - come on - F-R-E-A-K-Y!

Jul 25, 2008 01:04 AM
Clint Miller
Real Estate Pipeline, Inc. - Missoula, MT

This world is really too small.  I walked into a bank in Missoula the other day...and the teller behind the counter is a girl that I had dated in college....in Oregon....in 1990. 

Jul 25, 2008 01:15 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

I know Hal and I wanted to say hi but the kids really felt they should know her name before approaching especially since my son had been in several of the same classes.

It was one of those moments Richard

That is amazing Leesa I think I have seen every one of those stations at one time or another with more than 40 years of road trips south and there are so many stations I wonder how they all stay in business.

No way Clint! Do you think she is stalking you???  It's only been 18 years, LOL.

Jul 25, 2008 01:26 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Paddy ~ Talk about meant to be!

Jul 25, 2008 01:56 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Things happen in strange ways don't they Kathy

Jul 25, 2008 01:58 AM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

Great to be recognized! This is why we need to have our best foot forward at all times!

Your friend in Charlottesville!

Jul 25, 2008 02:27 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

You never know who you will meet so you are right about putting the best foot forward Charles.

Jul 25, 2008 02:34 AM
Kevin O'Shea
Coldwell Banker - White Plains, NY
White Plains, NY Real Estate

That reminded me of a story of mine. You should have played the "Realtor" and introduced yourself right away.  :). I see you are catching up. :)

Jul 25, 2008 05:20 AM
Barbara Carter
Century 21 Alliance Realty Group - Highland, NY
Serving Your Real Estate Needs in the Hudson Valle

Paddy- How ironic that you would meet and meet and meet again! It is a small world.

Jul 25, 2008 08:05 AM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

It is a small world!  I've had a fraternity brother run into my cousin's in-laws at the Grand Canyon!  I sure hope he didn't give away any secrets.. I attended college that was over 100 miles from my hometown  lol

Jul 25, 2008 08:42 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

There's no doubt about it, the world is getting smaller!  I live in LA and was vacationing in Wyoming.  While out for an evening stroll around the Jackson Hole Square, someone shouted out, "Hello Norma Toering."  They were selling their home in Palos Verdes and I had an interested party.  So much for getting away from it all!

Jul 25, 2008 10:40 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

I would have Kevin but my son would have been upset at not kowing the girls name.

It was very strange Barbara

You are nver safe are you Jon.  I hope that your secrets remained just that.

That is really too much Norma.  It is so strange when this happens.

Jul 25, 2008 02:52 PM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

This is so cool...

Jul 25, 2008 02:56 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Paddy - This happen to me on vacation all the time, no matter where I go I run into somone I know, my husband just shakes his head.

Good thing you weren't a wild child on vacation...lol

 

Jul 25, 2008 05:41 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Thanks Carolyn

Jennifer it has happened a couple of times to me but the follow up call was unexpected.  No I wasn't wild but I had a great vacation.  Thanks for the comment

Jul 25, 2008 10:24 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

I'm thinking it means a good appraisal Paddy.  Meet him and bring coffee.  It can't hurt!

Jul 26, 2008 01:43 AM
* Rate A Home
Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Paddy, it is a small world, I had it last weekend that I seen a car in our town with an agents name on it, of course I jotted it down to check if she was on Active Rain, sure enough. Come to find out we were having breakfast at the same restaurant, I e-mailed her and now wish I would have introduced myself to an extended AR Family member. She was from Minnesota.

Jul 26, 2008 02:02 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Susan, great idea.  the house does not have me worried at all though for once it is priced right and we got in the first offer on the first day!

That is really neat Duane.  I have to start looking for local rainers more.  I want to meet so many of the nice people I met who live nearby.  I wish I didn't have to work so I could have more time to socialize.  

Jul 26, 2008 08:39 AM
* Rate A Home
Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Paddy, LOL, I know what you mean, works always seems to get in the way, dang.

Jul 26, 2008 08:42 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Someone has to come up with a better way Duane but until they do  we just gotta do what we gotta do.

Jul 26, 2008 11:21 PM