Metcalfe, ON

In the well known song, Until it is time for you to go, Neil Diamond sings: " I was an oak now I'm a willow now I can bend."

For couples that are moving there is often one person who is the cause, the source, or the creator of the idea or need to move. When that happens, the other person has options, resist forever or, like a willow, bend to the move.

When I was growing up, my father was relocated to new cities twice. My mother made it a game to move and created excitement around all of the opportunities to learn about new places, meet new people and go to new schools. She didn't allow whining and moaning. In retrospect, good for her because I am sure that she was not all that happy about having to move away from her friends and family. She had three kids in tow. She was shy. She ended up being the marshal for the move and dealing with the movers, the real estate agents and making the choices - when all along she wanted to stay home.

I have moved now so often that it is in my blood. My spouse is the one who bends. He does it gracefully (even if the last move was not his favourite). Like my mother, he more than pitches in. He takes control of whole aspects of the move. His willow bending skills are incredible.

For my clients, I have seen both willows and oaks. The oak is a tough tree/client. He or she won't be happy with any new house, there is nothing to like, he or she is MIA when the work starts and the person who wanted or needed to move is left managing the whole process. Selling the house is a challenge, The Oak only wants a kazillion dollars for the 'castle'. There is no flex on price. There is no flex on possession date or inclusions. There is no flex, period. As agents we can spot an oak and a willow. We know who we would like to work with and who we would like to avoid.

In the forest of real estate and marriages, finding a willow is better than being stumped by an oak.

Photo credit: Of Poetic Willow Trees