Tree Estate Agents
Winter in the plant industry is often a time for rest. Businesses slow down and nurserymen have a chance to prepare for the season ahead. Winter also offers us a chance to spend more time on our personal lives and that is exactly what my partner and I did this season. In November of 2023, my fiancé and I embarked on a journey to find our first home together. If any of our readers have also braved the real estate world lately, you might commiserate with me when I say that the housing market is tough for buyers right now. Prices are high, options are low and time is of the essence.
The home buying experience was a rollercoaster ride of effort and emotions. We learned a lot along the way and something tells me that the learning opportunities have only just begun. But one of my favorite parts of the process was being present for the home inspection. It was the first time that we were able to spend an extended amount of time at our potential home. We were excited to be back, but we also enjoyed discovering details about the property. As we were expertly guided through the inspection, I couldn’t help but feel like my partner and I were on a tagging trip. Except we weren’t at the nursery, selecting trees; we were in central Maryland, picking out a house!
We started at the lowest level. The home needed a solid foundation, with proper support and no signs of weakness. Similar to the roots of a tree. When selecting a tree, you want to see outwardly flaring roots with even distribution around the base and no signs of rot. As we worked our way through the house; we inspected things like electricity, heat, air conditioning and plumbing. When tagging a tree, you want to see signs of healthy tree functions as well. A tree’s “plumbing” should be on the inside of the tree and not oozing out through wounds in the trunk. Healthy limbs should be visible throughout the plant with no major sections of decline. The home inspection concluded with a dry and insulated attic; positioned beneath a sturdy roof. Looking up at the wooden supports in the attic reminded me of looking through the crown of a tree. You don’t want to see big holes or broken “beams” in either one!
The house tagging trip was a success and we happily settled into our first home in January of 2024. We wouldn’t have been successful without the help of our wonderful real estate agent. There was something innately comfortable about her and it was only after the fact that I realized what that was. Her honesty, kindness, knowledge and fast action were the same attributes that I saw in our very own sales representatives here at Ruppert Nurseries. She was transparent with her thoughts and input. Her attitude was professional and kind, every single day. We would have been lost without her expertise and she kept us in the game with her fast replies and assistance. Having a great real estate agent on our side was the difference between having an unsuccessful purchasing experience and having the successful one that it was. We are proud to have sales representatives at Ruppert Nurseries that make the difference too. One could even call them the Tree Estate Agents of the nursery world. Turning houses into homes, one mature tree at a time!
By Ashley Miles