While enjoying our first 4th of July weekend with our little one, I couldn’t help but think of my past summertime childhood memories.
Do you ever think about the house you grew up in? Do you remember your vacation home where you spent your summers as a child growing up? Do you ever wonder who’s living there now? Have you ever wanted to go and pass by and see what the house looks like? Well, I have.
I remember the sound the creeky wooden steps used to make when I walked up to my bedroom. I remember the smell of the summer cabin we used to have. The sound of the neighborhood kids playing in the alley. I remember the sounds of the cars passing by the house while I slept in my bedroom. The list goes on.
For some people, these memories are like going back to Neverland where everything was great and everyone was happy. I’ve spoken to friends who have actually knocked on the door of the house they grew up in. They explained to the current owners that they grew up in this house and always wondered how the house looked today and who lived there now. The weird thing is that in one case, the current owner invited them in and they actually became friends.
On many occasions, I have passed by my old house, neighborhood and school. I have often wondered what happened to my childhood friends and neighbors. But that’s life, right? You grow up and move on. Sometimes to the other side of town, sometimes to another city. Maybe even another state or country. Either way, in your memory, you will always refer to your childhood house as “My House” or “Our House”. That’s why real estate is more than just property. It’s about memories, which are priceless.
I wonder if anyone has ever thought about purchasing or actually has purchased the house they grew up in or the cabin they spent their summers in. Have you? Did the price matter? Did they let the Broker / Agent know that they grew up in the house? Did it affect the seller or transaction in any way? Did it bring back any priceless memories. How did older family members react when they first stepped back in the house? Was it emotional? Was it worth it?
I’ve gone back to several of the homes I lived in as a child. They always seem smaller than they were when I was young. I visited an open house of the second home my husband and I owned and that house seemed smaller as well. It’s funny about houses, though. When they don’t have your things in them, they lose their soul. Here goes the blogoholic comment: “I blogged about this at . . . http://bonnieerickson.realtownblogs.com/personal-anecdotes/the-emotional-value-of-a-house/
Bonnie
bonnie - thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us.
you are very lucky to have visited several homes that you previously lived in. i guess it helps if you still live in the general vicinity as you did when you were younger.
your post on the emotional value of a house really hit home, especially the part about the swing. your son saved a great memory. good job.
from one blogaholic to another, blog on!
-rdb°