To all the homes I’ve loved before…
If you follow this column with regularity, you may remember an emotional article I wrote about moving, packing up memories and looking forward to my next chapter. I don’t mind telling you tears streamed down my face as I wrote the words “We’re moving” and there was a big, loud, ugly cry when I locked the door for the last time.
It was in that moment I truly related to every seller who had experienced the emotion of leaving a long-standing home. It was our “home, our happy place and over the years, it was a backdrop for endless sleepovers, graduation parties, a wedding reception and numerous political events. It was indeed everything the word “home” embodies.
Fast forward three years and, yep you probably guessed it, we are moving again! My husband claims that there are still boxes that he hasn’t opened (which is probably true) and that he’s barely had time to settle in here. I suspect he was beginning to enjoy the completed projects and rejoicing that the seemingly endless parade of construction professionals had come to an end.
Too bad he married a real estate agent!
Each week, I see new listings, visit new construction sites and tour many wonderful communities. Along the way, I gain an extensive network of real estate family, friends and colleagues- some of whom give me sneak peeks of properties hitting the market soon. Cue the inspiration! My life is like a 24/7 version of every show on HGTV. Who can blame me for being tempted to try something new?
I realize it may sound a little crazy, but now that there’s less of an emotional attachment, it becomes easier for me to play “Love it or List it” with our home. It’s only been 3 years, but the kids are grown and have homes of their own. I now look around and see grown-up things, no toys or kid stuff (unless you count the special closet earmarked for the grandkids) and I suppose my adventurous spirit is kicking into high gear. The winds of change are always blowing…
With all that said, I know my house is going to be someone else’s dream home and they will love it and cherish the great memories that they will make here.
And, as a side note, who could have ever imagined that as our moving day approached, the Governor would announce a lockdown? It was mid-March and we were in the beginning phase of learning the breakout of who could work, who could be on the road, what stores would be open and what businesses/tradespeople would be available. Though real estate agents and movers were deemed “essential workers,” the process took on a quite different look and feel for me. Our new location needed some repair work before we could move in. Finding anyone willing or able to come into the home was a project on its own! It has been an interesting 2 months and we shall see what life’s next chapter holds for us…To be continued.
Thank you Parrish and North of the River friends for allowing us to continuously be the top area firm. I am truly blessed to have a great team of dedicated professionals.