(My Why) Wednesday
WHO: Jeff & Kyaw (pronounced “jaw”)
WHAT: Buying a 1948 Brentwood Blvd original home
WHERE: Springfield
WHEN: 2015
WHY…..
Jeff is a wild haired creative powerhouse with a resume that will make your head spin. He can toss out jokes and punchlines, quips and monologues as if throwing plates in the air. Kyaw, the calmer of the two, is adept at catching them and keeping them spinning with a calm and effortless ease. They are a perfect match.
I met Jeff and his husband, Kyaw at 1Million Cups, a non-profit organization that features new or innovative businesses that are disrupting the status quo, and for which I was an organizer at the time. They were doing a dryrun for their upcoming presentation of SATO48, the 48 hour film challenge and a passion project for both of them.
After rehearsal, we began to talk. I found out they lived just a few blocks from me, and as a newly licensed real estate agent, I blurted out that I had previewed a home that had just come on the market near them on Brentwood Blvd. I was swooning over the perfectly preserved kitchen, the “Mad Men” like living room with the gorgeous fireplace and the basement with the original bar, lights and seating. Jeff wondered if it was Martha’s house, a home that sat directly behind his current house and I told him I believed it was. Well, that was it! We decided there was no time like the present to see this Brentwood Blvd gem, so off we went to tour Martha’s home.
Another realtor was standing in the yard waiting for his clients when we pulled up. Jeff, Kyaw and I waltzed past him and closed the door behind us. We toured the home, exclaiming over all the original features, talking about what would need to be done (wallpaper removed), what would stay (walk-in bathtub) and what we loved (downstairs rec room and bar). As we walked back up the stairs, Jeff looked around and said “I think we want to buy this house.” He paused for a moment and looked at Kyaw. “We want to buy it, right?” Kyaw nodded in agreement. “What do we need to do?” he asked, as he turned to look at me.
Stunned, at this unexpected turn of events, I stammered “Well, you will need to fill out a contract.”
“Okay?” Jeff said and looked at me questionably as if I should know what came next.
I tried to sound like I’d done this numerous times. “Let’s meet at my office and get the paperwork filled out. You can follow me.” I jumped in my car and began dialing my broker, Jack Rhoads number. No answer. I called his house. No answer. It was nearly 7:00 PM when we walked into the office and thank the Lord, there was Jack behind his desk working away. He peered up at the three of us as we shuffled into his office. I introduced Jeff and Kyaw and quickly explained that we had toured Martha’s house and now they were ready to make an offer. What I hadn’t told Jeff and Kyaw was, this was my very first transaction and I felt this might be a very deep pool, I was about to dive into.
Jack, ever the professional and without blinking an eye, invited them to sit down as he began to ask the pertinent questions. Financing? How would they take title? Closing date? Purchase price? Proof of funds? I took notes so that I could fill out the sales contract correctly.
This was not going to be a simple deal, and it was going to require several signatures, access to a remote fax for one of the signers, and a couple of other little bumps. After getting all the needed information, we were able to navigate the paperwork and get an offer sent to the listing agent. The home had several full price offers so on Monday morning the listing agent called me, along with the rest of the agents at 8:00 AM and told us that if we wanted to amend our offer, they would be making a decision at 11:00 AM. I asked Jack what I should do.
He just looked at me, tapped his watch and said “Whatever it is, you need to do it in the next 30 minutes because we have an office meeting at 8:30 sharp.”
I ran to my office and tried to call Jeff but he didn’t answer the phone. I jumped in my car and headed for their house. I ran up the sidewalk and banged on the front door. Jeff appeared, his hair a wild array of unruly curls and a robe mostly tied. I explained that they had several full price offers and if he and Kyaw really wanted the house we would need to offer more.
“Whatever it takes,” he said.
I threw a number out and Jeff agreed. I ran back to my car, jumped in and sped back to the office. I typed up the new price, sent it over to the listing agent, gave her a quick call to let her know I’d sent it and joined our Monday morning meeting. At 11:00 AM the agent called to let me know that we had gotten the contract. I screamed in her ear, apoligized and screamed again. I called Jeff and Kyaw to let them know we had the house. I also told them that my secret to making sure a home closes is to drive up to the house, park in the driveway and imagine that it’s your house. It works every time. (Note) Don’t do this if the sellers still live there, because then it just seems creepy. Jeff and Kyaw also told me not to forgot to elaborate on all the incense burning and voodoo ritual dances they did to keep other buyers away.
Because the house was being sold “as-is”, many of the problems that would come up with an inspection were avoided. Jack made sure that I kept track of my “days” as far as the contract was concerned and when we finally met at the title company for closing, Jack sat next to me as the documents were signed. My first closing! As a thank you, I took a dozen carrot cake cupcakes to the listing agents office for being so kind, professional and patient with me.
Photo courtesy of Brenna Stark
Today Jeff and Kyaw have gently remodeled this house in the tradition it was built. They bumped out the back wall and added large floor to ceiling windows that span the length of the room for a gorgeous view of the back yard. They left the original kitchen intact, but added on with a state of the art gas range, professional-grade counter-depth refrigerator and freezer unit, and a kitchen island that will make you weep with joy. Kyaw is a fabulous chef and has cooked professionally. You will find them entertaining friends, neighbors and family nearly every Friday night.
Photo courtesy of Brenna Stark
Photo courtesy of Brenna Stark
Photo courtesy of Brenna Stark
Photo courtesy of Brenna Stark
Photo courtesy of Brenna Stark
A little about the SATO48 Film challenge. This has been a passion project for both Jeff and Kyaw for the past 19 years. Jeff jokes around a lot, but both he and Kyaw are serious about supporting filmmakers and the arts, here in Springfield and beyond.
“SATO48's Film Challenge is an exhilarating platform that propels filmmakers of all levels to create impactful short films in only 48 hours with no pre-knowledge of what their films must be about until it is revealed to them in the form of an Inspiration Package. The Challenge offers career development opportunities and showcases their talents to a live, as well as global audience.”
Film Challenge & FiveFest: Propel and showcase global filmmaking talent through short film creation and festivals.
The TV Show: Bring short films to a national audience, enhancing exposure and recognition.
Prime for Development: Offer a pathway for short films to evolve into feature-length projects and attract investment.
Matinees at the Gillioz: Integrate modern short films with classic cinema to enrich the film-going experience.
Recognition & Awards Ceremony: Our initiatives culminate in ceremonies and events that celebrate and acknowledge the talent and efforts of filmmakers. By hosting festivals, challenges, readings, screenings, and broadcasts, we build a legacy in the world of cinema, one short film at a time.
Photo courtesy of Matt Loveland Photography
Photo courtesy of Matt Loveland Photography
Photo courtesy of Matt Loveland Photography
The kick-off this year is
April 26
6pm - Central Time USA
Graceway Baptist Church
5010 South Farm Rd 135, Springfield, MO 65810
&
On-line - SATO48.com
May 30 - June 2
World Premiere Screenings
Moxie Cinema
305 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65806
June 1
Awards & Recognitions Ceremony
Gillioz Theater
325 Park Central E, Springfield, MO 65806
Over the years, I’ve been thrilled to participate in the SATO48 Film challenge as a presenter and as a judge. It is a terrific project that I support.
On the red carpet
It was chance that brought us together, but I consider myself lucky to call them friends.
If you want to test your limits, sign up for the the SATO48 Film Challenge. You will not be sorry!
If you want someone that will help you get into the house of your dreams, call me.
Deborah Rowell, House Theory Realty - 417-844-3122 or email me at deborah@417theory.com