Last week, a buyer who appears once a year to look at homes and even usually makes a (low) offer that’s not accepted, showed up again. But this time he was on a mission to secure the house he, his wife and their kids had rented summers for more than 10 years, and has fed their memories and souls since. And make it a surprise for them. The house has been on the market for years, but the price was beyond his budget. Now the price had started to come down, and it was beginning to look possible. After much negotiation, we arrived at a number that was acceptable to both sides.

Then the fun started. The dad and kids created an elaborate ruse to get the mom here and to the house. Mom and Dad were walking around the property, Dad said, “Wonder if it’s the same, let’s peek in the windows”. When they did, there were their kids, grinning and waving. At first Mom started running away, saying “There’s people in there!” Until she realized that those people looked very familiar. Then she said, “What’s going on?” The reveal couldn’t have gone better. She said, “This is my dream, this has always been my dream…” Tears of joy, much hugging, and a whole lot of jumping up and down – followed by more hugging ensued. This photo captured just one of many hugs that day.

This is what keeps me going, through the long hours and 7 day weeks the work demands; and the difficulties and challenges when it doesn’t go well.There’s very little more rewarding than helping a family make a dream come true. How lucky am I, and all my Realtor® colleagues, to not only be present at moments like this, but to help make them happen.