When you’re an artist, most people expect you to have a home that reflects your passion, and Amy Behar’s certainly does. She bought this lovely Lochwood home several years ago and planned to stay here indefinitely.
And then the unthinkable happened, and Behar was struck with an incurable condition called Dystonia.
“I became very ill and had to quit my first ever ‘grown up job,’ ” Behar lamented. “So my house became my refuge, my work space, and since I couldn’t drive, my escape.”
Circumstances have made it necessary for Behar to move closer to family, she says, meaning that she has to sell the refuge that sheltered her after coming home from many painful surgeries. But it’s been a tough road for 11318 Carissa, Behar said.
“Feedback has ranged from ‘It’s not a traditional layout,’ ‘ I love the garden but it is too bright,’ ‘I don’t like the old doors’ and on and on,” she said. “But every quirky, artsy, vision seer has loved it … they’re just not looking to buy.”
Not every real estate story is a happy one, and we are grateful to Behar that she chose to share hers with us. Still, we’re sure that this sweet home will find a buyer as Behar and her two adorable mutts move on.
Full name: Amy Behar
Occupation: Disabled/Advocate
City: Dallas
Price Range: $249,900
Agent: Erin Burkart, Keller Williams Central
Tell us a little background on the home you put on the market: Built in the early 60s, it is a true ranch style. Previous owners had done some things, but I spent most of my 12 years updating or removing all the 1980s touches and turning it into my home. Adding a garden to the already 17 mature trees, replacing cheap hollow doors with cool salvaged ones, removing a wall to open the kitchen, sadly removing the cool parquet floor for dog-friendly ones. One room I turned into my “art store” and one my home office. It’s artsy or quirky but it sure has been a good home to me!
What made you decide to move? I have family in Oklahoma and have been waiting for that state to get a neurology department that was familiar with my disorder, Dystonia. The stars have aligned and now it’s time to be closer to family.
How long was/has your home been on the market? Any offers? About two weeks, only low-ball flippers.
Did you stage it or do anything special? Boy did I! All new paint, new baseboards, backsplash, any repairs. I packed everything except some clothes and essentials and put them in my garage front storage. Staged the house very minimal but livable day to day.
What are your best marketing tricks? Tell friends,everyone who has come to my house (even when it was more of an art studio before ) loved it before and now. So social media and word of mouth is my job!
What shocked you about the sales/buying process? Selling is like setting your best friend up on a blind date, you just worry and wonder if they liked each other … and feel so bad when it was not a match.
What pleased you? I like the feedback from buyers, it puts me at ease there is nothing I could do. (Like the layout not being traditional).
What are/were you looking for in a new home? Once I sell, I won’t freely look for everything I want, but because you never know what life will throw at you, I will be sure to add the main things people want.
Where are you moving? Broken Arrow, OK
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently? Though almost everyone converts small older home garages, or end up stuffing them with junk and within a few months stop parking in their garage, I will be sure to have one.
