Inspection with a Visit and a View....

Last week I had to drive 2 hours each way for an inspection far north in Milan, NH. It's outside of my typical territory, but the house fit my client's needs, and I wanted to be with him. I usually don't mind driving since I can listen to a book on tape, and have some down time. And sometimes a northbound drive up 93 can be breathtaking if it is a clear day. This day it happened to be pouring. There were definitely no views, and I am not a fan of driving in the pouring rain.

The inspection was not typical, as the owner has not only painstakingly renovated this old farmhouse over the past 19 years, leaving it in very good condition for my buyer; but she made the time to be there with us, and answer any questions he or the inspector might have. The rain became a drizzle as we were nearing the end of the inspection and we got to spend some time in the yard discussing some of the plantings and the apple trees. It's not every day that you get to eat a Golden Delicious Apple from the backyard of your buyer's soon to be home. It was a simple but wonderful moment. As we headed toward the front yard the seller commented on the horse running in the field across the street. Immediately, all I could think of, was that I wanted to meet that horse and give it then end of my apple. I have no idea where that came from, but lately I am trying to listen to the voice in my head, which is usually right. The seller was more than happy to introduce me to the horses which turned out to be rescue horses. As we visited she explained the stories and the issues that each horse came to her with and I commented that it was a wonderful thing that she was doing. That's when she told me that she hasn't been without a horse since she was a little girl, and it became obvious that these graceful creatures with the soulful eyes were giving her just as much as she was giving them. The visit to the barn left me with a feeling that not only could this small, northern town in NH be a really good place for my client, but there is still such good in the world and it is a special thing to witness it.

Later, as I was heading home over the crest of a hill this is the view that I saw. What a treat that the break in the weather allowed me to have an unexpected view that day, but more than that, my inspection left me with a positive view on life.