“Ring! Ring! Ring!” went my phone one Sunday morning a couple of months ago. I didn’t recognize the number and answered, “Hello, this is Karin!”
The person on the other line responded, “Oh, hi Karin, I was wondering if you could come to my house and give me an idea of how much it’s worth?”
I responded, “Most certainly! Why don’t you give me your address and I will put a report together for you! What day are you available this week for me to bring it over?”
The woman responded, “Can’t you just come over right now? Can’t you just give me the value? I don’t need a report!”
Well, I was still in a towel from the shower I just took but got dressed real quick and was at her house in 15 minutes!
Peg showed me around her clean and spacious home of 63 years on Beech Ave. in San Bruno. It was well maintained and held a lot of history inside of raising children, foster children, neighborhood children, big family parties and huge neighborhood parties. Peg is now 95 and lives alone. She lost her husband 30 years ago and her two children were already grandparents. She has 8 great grandchildren.
She told me that she was getting ready for a new journey…
She and her son and daughter were in the process of packing her up to move to a senior living facility in San Mateo. Even though she was strong, mentally and physically, there were a few things that she needed help with like laundry, dishes, and driving. Peg walks just as fast as you and me but when she uses her pretty high tech walker with 4 wheels it is really fast forward!
….a month later, I listed her house for sale. It was bitter sweet for me, Peg, and her family. I met with her several times at her new apartment to fill out paperwork and stayed longer than usual to listen to her joyfully and smartly reminisce about her life in San Bruno…her rummage sale called Nelly’s Attic at St. Robert’s very first festival, watching fireworks from the top of Jenevein Ave. before Hwy 280 was built, walking to San Mateo Ave. to shop for food and clothing. Her stories all took place before Tanforan and Bayhill were built.
Every once in a while she would forget something and chuckle, “See, that’s why I’m here.”
I told her that I liked her sweater the other day and she chuckled again, “Yeah? Thanks. Old people wear sweaters. You’ll see when you get old”.
I can’t believe she is 95! I am thrilled to know her and hope to be a part of this new journey she’s on!
By the way, the house sold and closed escrow today. The new owners are a young couple that she chose in a multiple offer situation. The other offer was the same price as the couple’s but it was investor offering “all cash”. The young couple wrote her a letter and submitted a picture with their offer…the house on Beech Ave. will remain in good hands…
