With apologies to Clement Clark Moore for this parody by Margaret Woda, based on his "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town,
Not a buyer was stirring, the market was down.
Our sale sign was posted in front with care,
In hopes that some buyers soon would be there.
The children were curled up reading in bed,
And visions of moving danced in dad's head.
Now Grandma in her sweater, and pa in his cap,
Were asleep near the fire, taking a nap.
When out in the yard there arose such a clatter,
I leaped from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Pulled back the curtains and threw up the sash.
The road wasn't shoveled, there was new-fallen snow
And neighborhood children were playing below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a red SUV, full of people, right here.
With a little ol' driver, not lively or quick,
I knew in a moment it wasn't Saint Nick.
I called to the family, and everyone came,
As I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Grandma! now, Grandpa! now Steven and Harry!
Call Susan and Tim, Elizabeth and Mary!
Buyers are coming, there's no time to spare!
Turn lights on, make beds! Pick up toys everywhere!"
As Margaret's clients came up the front walk
I was so excited I could barely talk.
The kids jumped into action, and each knew his chore,
We had to be finished, when they got to the door;
And then, in a twinkling, we left just in time
The buyers were there now, ringing the chime.
As I looked o'er my shoulder, I saw they'd arrived.
And Margaret invited them to step inside.
She was dressed all in red, from her head to her toe,
We could trust our agent, our house to show.
For buyers today, she knew how to find
All the features they wanted, what they had in mind.
Big rooms made them happy! The closets did, too,
They loved the new kitchen, and baths all in blue.
A big ol' smile appeared on their face,
Of the homes seen today, this might be the place!
Then quick as they came, they all disappeared,
And they might not buy, that's what I feared.
We went back inside, sat down for a meal,
We cried, then we laughed, how should we feel?
Margaret drove to her office, with buyers in tow,
For she knew what to do now, an experienced pro.
She sold lots of homes that were not nice as mine,
She told me herself that our home is fine.
She had not a doubt, but went straight to her work
Explained all the contracts, then turned with a jerk,
And laying her pencil aside on her desk,
Shook hands with the buyers, and wished them the best.
She sprang from the office, and rushed to our side,
And we listened carefully before we signed.
Then I heard her exclaim, with a SOLD sign in sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
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Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
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Bravo Margaret, what a fun post....you're very talented!!
Colleen
Colleen, I did something similar a few years ago for mailing to a neighborhood when I sold my listing a week before Christmas. For the life of me, I can't find that, so I had to start from scratch. Maybe I'll find the other one in time for next year!
Julie, As I re-read it, I too could picture every scene in here. I guess that's the magic of the original poem.
John, I hope you feel better soon! It would be nice to keep that record of yours going.
Jim, You, too - have a wonderful holiday!
Mary, It just kinda worked out that way... the rhyme took control sometimes. lol
Sally - You too! It seems strange to me to imagine Christmas in paradise. But I'll bet it's beautiful.
Jim & Maria - Tell me, is Bob Lane Realty still in business there? I used to work for them in the mid 70's, when they were the biggest company around with 4 offices. lol.
Marc - Why thank you! You have a great holiday, too!
Great Job Margaret! It's a reminder to all of us - this is a wonderful time of the year to sell/buy a home too!
Merry Christmas to all!
Thanks Margaret - I am on up time Christmas Eve so who knows - better make sure I wear red to the office however!
Tracy
Hi, Gayle, Thank you!
Tracy - Another Lake Taho agent! Welcome! 'Haven't been to your area in 30 years, but I'll be it hasn't changed much.
Susan - Why not! I've actually sold a few homes durring the holidays in the past. You never know. One thing is sure, anyone looking is really serious.
Margaret, congratulations! I loved it all... the photo, the big red bow... the poem was wonderful, too!
Merry Christmas!
Margaret what a fantastic poem it is wonderful and I hope it springs HOPE in many sellers this holiday season. Merry Christmas
Phyllis Pafumi
Margaret,
Great post... and entertaining too!!! Thanks, Fran
Fran, 'tis the season for having some fun, right?
Gary, Thank you! Gift-wrapped, now that's a thought. Merry Christmas!
Jeanean - Thanks, the beginning part was easy, but the end was more challenging. I find myself thinking and talking in rhyme now.
Robert - Feel free to forward it - I'm just not sure I want to see it "published" across the Internet without credit.
Phyllis - Believe it or not, I just checked my business email, and have 3 new leads from this week's blogs!
Jan - Thank you, I'm glad you liked it all. I had fun with the red bow.
Margaret!!
What a totally awesome way to put a "real estate" touch to the holiday season! I've been pretty much Bah Humbug this year...no lights on the house, no tree, no presents! Thanks for the lift!
What a talent...I never would of come up with something like that! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Margaret. I'm grateful for you in 2007; you've been an encouragement to me since I joined Active Rain. Congratulations on the feature!
Mike in Tucson
Wow! Merry Christmas to all and to all MANY SOLD signs for the holidays and into the New Year!
As Dave Liniger and RE/MAX are now fond of saying Be Great in 2008!
Happy Holidays from Hawaii! Jamie at RE.MAX Kauai All Islands check it out www.AllHawaiiIslands.com
Hi Margaret - how clever this is - love it!! That picture is beautiful, and I love the SOLD graphic with a red bow!
Merry Christmas to you!!
Ann
Ann - Just another use for that red bow I blogged about several weeks ago in http://activerain.com/blogsview/263931/Five-Holiday-Ads-Using
Terry - I have a lovely listing that came to me through my online presence, including ActiveRain, that has had three showings this week - after none for the previous month. Buyers definately ARE out there!
Jamie - I haven't heard that, but I like it. 'Had dinner at Dave Liniger's house when I was at headquarters in April - it's fabulous, and he and Gail are amazings hosts.
Clark - If I could just stop thinking in rhyme, now...
David - Thank you, it was a nice surprise. Funny how you can go weeks and months without a gold star, and then, out of the blue, just when you think nobody likes you... lol
Margaret,
Beautiful photo...is that your home?
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Neal, no - that's from istockphoto.com - But it could be... I have a cape cod style house. Maybe that's why I liked this photo.
Josette - 'Just couldn't resisit.
Margaret,
That's an awesome post! Such creativity. Happy Holidays to you.
I am impressed with your poetry writing and the "story" is one we all wish for.
Thomm - Awe shucks!
Christy - Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Mike - 'Hope you have a great 2008 yourself.
Bob & Carolin - Thank you, you enjoy your holiday
Jesse & Kathy - You're too nice. Thank you!
Karen Anne - Thank you, my friend!
Diane, 'Glad you enjoyed it!
Al - Thanks for the compliment!
Cynthia - Well, I couldn't have done it from scratch, I'm sure... I had a great model to follow.
Wayne - Thank you, glad you like my graphic!
Pam - Not long - it just sort of flowed... Honestly the best rhymes came that way. A few cases where I got really stymied, the resulting rhyme was kinda forced.
Donna, You are so good for my ego!
Susan, Thank you! Enjoy your holiday.
Brett - Thanks, Merry Christmas!
Katie - 'Glad ActiveRain has given us a chance to reconnect!
Margaret, I love a good rhyme, especially at Christmas time. Merry Christmas to you and congratulations on your featured post.
Ginger
This is a good one indeed. I like your red ribbon Sold sign too. Merry Christmas
Don
Donald, Thank you! 'Glad you enjoy enjoyed it!
Ginger and Roger, lol... that's cute... you're pretty good at rhyme yourself!
Robert, Thanks, I'm glad you like it!
Kathy, thank you! You are very good for my ego.
Sharon, that's a cool piece of trivia. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing You HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Best Wishes for A GREAT YEAR 2008.
New York Certified Home Inspector Long Island NY Tommy Nassau/Suffolk/Queens Home InspectionsTommy, thank you! I'm not nearly as good as I should be at keeping up with the non-Realtor posts... I hope to see you more in 2008.
Katerina - I did a really great mailout a few years ago when I sold a home right before Christmas - customized to the neighborhood and the people's names. But I couldn't find it, and had to write a new one.