You see this beautiful face? This is my friend, Nicole Wallstrom. She is just one of the several hundred fabulous Fountain Valley clients, who trusts us and refers us to others.
Life doesn’t come with a script. We awake each day with the hope that we are healthy, have a productive day, meet nice people and return to our loved ones to share good stories.
And so it has come to pass that today, I will share a story with you that is a twist of fate. At the end of April, my husband of thirty-nine years and I traveled to Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA, to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday. We had never been to either city.
Nine days later, on May 5th we bought a house in the city of Mount Pleasant, a twenty-minute drive, from downtown Charleston. My husband is the type of guy who prepares a spreadsheet when deciding what to have for breakfast. That’s an exaggeration, but you get the point. We are decidedly thoughtful people in the autumn of our lives and not apt to spontaneous actions or quick decisions. Two days later, we were on our flight back to Fountain Valley, looking at each other and laughing like two kids.
We had no plans to ever leave Fountain Valley; in fact last year we undertook an extensive remodel, and expanded our family room by removing the 4th bedroom, banking on the fact that we would never sell.
On June 1st, my partner, Nick White and I, hosted open house at our beloved home of twenty-one years, in the Old Farm tract, three blocks west of FVHS. We received multiple offers. It closed escrow July 9th, for $1,908,000, $219,000 over list price and the highest price ever recorded for a three bedroom home in Fountain Valley. The buyers also provided my husband and I, with a free rent back for 29 days. Nick and I are both Certified Expert Negotiators. We love what we do and we deliver on our promises.
Fountain Valley has a unique blend of community spirit that connects neighbor to neighbor with year round events, and opportunities to be of service.
Remember the story of Angel Fairchild? We met February, 2018 when she stopped in the middle of the street, leaning on her walker, just outside Seaside Terrace Retirement behind KFC on Brookhurst. She invited me to visit. After seeing the dismal condition of the community TV room, I posted a call to action in this column. You responded in droves. Every Saturday morning, with brushes, cans and supplies in tow. we met, stripped wallpaper, painted, replaced the carpet with new vinyl flooring, and installed new lighting. We provided the residents with an inviting space to gath- er. Fountain Valley brought light to the room and the residents’ lives.
In June, we surprised Angel by hosting her 84th birthday with music, dancing, food and fun. All were welcomed.
Fountain Valley embraced Angel and became her friends and family. She died that year in December. She shared with me on many occasions, how the people of FV had changed her life. We are presented with many opportunities throughout our lives to make a difference.
Nick and I believe in giving back and paying it forward. With each home we sell we donate $500 to the Fountain Valley Schools Foundation. The Miss Fountain Valley Scholarship Program provides young women the funds to continue to broaden their horizons in their fields of study. It’s been a privilege for me to support their endeavors year after year.
Fountain Valley is home to the Community Foundation, The FV Schools Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club, the Rotary Club, Kiwanis and the FV Woman’s’ Club, of which I am a long term member. In giving, we receive. Each of us have gifts and talents to share.
The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23. Volunteers are needed. Behind many doors throughout Fountain Valley, there are folks who would welcome a friendly visit, a call or a helping hand. To have a friend, be a friend.
What’s next for Nick and I? You decide. Nick and I will continue to exceed our client’s expectations with every transaction. Covid presented us with options to work from anywhere in the world. Call, text, FaceTime, Google Meet and DigiSign. I’ll appear on your screen while Nick sits at your table. Our service doesn’t end with your sale or purchase. Just like Nicole in the photo, our clients become our lifelong friends. When you need an electrician, plumber, handyman or other vendor, we’ve got you covered. Truth and trust, service and satisfaction, that’s our promise to you. Nothing about that has changed and we’ll still provide this column every month.
And so in the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you….
Buddha. These are the values that guide us. It is how Nick and I, will guide you.