LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/277180
LOCALadk Magazine Spring 2014 17 I remember a particularly humorous event involving European royalty, just before the 1980 Games. We were asked to secure appropriate housing "fit for dignitaries," the caveat being that the royalty was seeking something of exceptional quality but unpretentious in nature. I attempted to communicate to owners the need to "play down" any showing and to take a modest approach when opening their home. But when we arrived at one particular front entrance, the door flew open and the owner appeared in a floor length gown with a long black cigarette holder and exclaimed: "Hail to the King and Queen, and welcome to our humble abode. We are just one ordinary American family!" We never made it past the foyer. On another occasion I remember a call from a young woman named Eileen Edwards, who wanted to visit an estate we had in St. Regis Falls. She was intrigued with the idea of owning an entire lake. Her plane was delayed coming into Montreal, so she ended up inspecting the site in the dark of night. The next day she and her husband re-visited the property and asked the long time caretaker if he would stay on if they decided to purchase. His response was "only if I like you." As it turns out, he did, and Shania Twain and record producer Mutt Lange moved to the Adirondacks. I've had a variety of agents over the last 40 years, the youngest being 25 and the oldest 82. A number of years ago, when my oldest agent was on floor day, a couple strolled in to inquire about lake properties. She was an attractive young woman with model-like features. He sported numerous tattoos and was quite casually dressed with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve of his white tee shirt, black jeans and boots. After a brief conversation, the agent begrudgingly agreed to show them several million dollar properties. When he returned to the office, he was asked how it went. "Well," he said, "she was beautiful, but he didn't look like he could buy anything!" "Did you get his name?" someone asked. He responded, "It was a funny name...something like John Cougar Camp...." Well, if only John Cougar Mellencamp had been popular in the 40's or 5O's, we would have made that sale! Yes, there have been many interesting deals with well known people, but most just wanted to go undetected and enjoy this special place, which we get to call home, just like everyone else. Regardless of a client's station in life, my primary satisfaction has been to help someone find the perfect place. It's been a good 40 years and Will Rogers was absolutely right: "Buy all the real estate you can...they're not making it anymore!", Roby Politi today P H I N N E Y D E S I G N G R O U P 142 Grand Avenue | Saratoga Springs facebook.com/phinneydesigngroup (518) 587-7120 PHINNEYDESIGN.COM A R C H I T E C T U R E | I N T E R I O R D E S I G N C O N S T R U C T I O N M A N A G E M E N T