Friday was a day of celebration. Only 4 long months had passed since my sellers received the initial offer to purchase their home. That's only one third of a year, but it seemed like forever. The market was weak for listings, but the sellers were smart enough to reduce their price and procured a sale. The house just two doors away is still on the market after two long years. It only took one year for my sellers. The listing started May 16, 2007, and closed on May 2, 2008. Twelve long arduous months had passed from listing to close.
My seller clients were models. They kept me informed when brochures were needed. They cooperated for all showings. They always had a neat and clean home. They were willing to reduce the price when no showings occurred. Open houses produced some traffic, but most often the prospects were just curious.
The property was unique. It was on the lake, but not. The channel frontage afforded protection from the ice breakage in the spring so the dock could remain in the water year round. However, the channel would never become a swimming place for kids. Wildlife visited and birds trilled. Because of the channel, the havoc of jet skis and speed boats was eliminated providing a true cabin retreat in the city. There was a view, but slightly broken by an isthmus of cattails in the water. Just beyond the cattails was the best fishing hole on the lake . . . visible from the sellers' cabin.
The lot was perfect. It was one of the bigger lots on the lake, but was at lake level. The structure was the original "home" cabin for the owner of the fishing resort from years ago. The small cabin had been expanded three times before this sale. The next door neighbor's parents had owned the property originally. In addition to the main house of some eleven hundred feet was another of the original cabins which could act as a guest house or party room without water. It would take a unique buyer to see the potential of this loved home.
A bit of history for the area will soon be demolished this summer and replaced with a much larger home over the next year. Fill will be brought in to make a true basement as the basement cannot be below grade on this lot. More than two stories will be built above the basement.
My sellers realized this might be the scenario a potential buyer would choose. They did not grieve the razing of their little cabin in the city. While they owned it, they had enjoyed the peace and serenity of simple cabin living. They had emotionally moved to their new home, however, and realized that a buyer can do whatever they wanted with the home once it was theirs!
Friday was the day of celebration. After many contingencies were met including city approval of the buyers' new house plans, money and keys were exchanged at the closing. A bit of Eagle Lake history will be demolished this summer and the progress of modernization will move on. My clients are happy. The buyers are happy. And for the moment, I have photos that the Maple Grove historical society will wish they had in 50 years!
CONGRATULATIONS KEITH AND CINDY!