Childhood homes still have a strong emotional pull

The topic of genealogy is garnering interest among many Americans, and the trend is leading many to seek out their childhood homes and buy them once again, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The paper cites the example of one Robert Easton, 71, who fondly remembers his grandparent’s home in Bedford, Indiana. According to Easton, his family sold the home around fifty years ago, but his strong emotional ties to the property meant he really wanted to become its owner again.

Although Easton had resided in Westlake Village, California for many years, when he saw his childhood home listed for sale online, he couldn’t resist the urge to snap it up and bring it back into the family. Just two days after seeing the listing, he flew out to Indiana and purchased the property for $110,000. These days, he spends around half the year living at his childhood home.

An opportunity for savvy agents?

The WSJ article suggests there might be an opportunity for some real estate agents to reconnect families with their childhood homes.

For example, real estate broker Matthew Berkley left an advertisement at the front of a couple named Brian and Kathie West, featuring a home that had been in Brian’s family for generations, until his grandmother sold it back in the 1980s. Brian’s grandfather had originally built the home.

“It was part of their family heritage,” said Kathie West, who added that it had always been a conversation piece at family get-togethers down the years. The family clearly had strong emotional ties to the home, and when Berkley informed them it was now for sale, they couldn’t resist the opportunity to take it back.

The West’s ended up buying the home back for around $100,000 more than its asking price, shelling out a stunning $880,000 for the property.