Some time ago I was asked by the family of an elderly gentleman to preview his home and make a determination on price.  The family was preparing for the inevitable …. placing their father in a local assisted care living arrangement and  needed to do some financial arrangements.

 I paid a visit to the gentleman and was transported into a wierd and wonderful tour through his life’s history.  He had been a developer of post war homes in the midwest and considered a hero there, he was getting ready to  go to a celebration in this small midwestern town where he would be honored for his contributions to the community.  His life in Carmel Valley now revolved around growing Orchids “the most beautiful flower in the world”, he said. There were Orchids in ever inch of the home - including the turning of his laundry and kitchen into the potting shed for these lovely plants.  I left with no less than 3 orchids for my home.  It was a strange and whaky afternoon and I walked out less sure of the reason I visited than when I walked in.  The house will sell for over 1M but my visit with this elderly gentleman was priceless……….