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Haunted Homes: Barbara Matchett’s Story
Barbara Matchett always loves a good ghost story.
Today she shares a chilling experience she had in August of this year.
When Barbara’s son and his wife were ready to buy their home, who better to help them accomplish this than Barbara? After seeing the listing for a home with lots of potential right in Wantage New Jersey, of course they had to see it.
Barbara arrived early and decided to wait outside for her son and daughter-in-law before entering the home. While she was standing there alone, chills began to creep up her arms and she could feel a grim energy oozing from this house. She has shown many houses throughout her real estate career but has never felt something like this before.
It was a relief to Barbara when she saw her son and his wife pull up in front of the house. She was conflicted about whether or not she wanted to share this feeling with them. Barbara didn’t want to discourage them from this home if it was only her mind playing tricks on her.
As they got out of their car and walked towards her, she ultimately decided it was best to say something. Barbara opened her mouth to tell them about the eerie feeling she had but her son spoke before she could.
“What’s up with this house?” He asked her “There’s a really weird feeling here that’s making me uneasy.” Barbara was shocked and a little relieved that he was feeling the same energy as she was.
Despite how creeped out they were by the home they decided to tour it anyway. They had already made the trip and didn’t want to waste it.
As soon as they entered the home the feeling of dread got worse. Barbara could feel the air inside the home was heavy and full of sadness and despair. There was no doubt in her mind that, at some point, something horrible had happened in this house. At the time of their viewing, the house was completely vacant. Barbara couldn’t help but wonder if the previous owners left because of the same feelings they were experiencing now.
The haunting feeling of this house made the three of them wrap up the showing rather quickly. It wasn’t a surprise to Barbara when her son and his wife decided that this was definitely not the home for them.
People say homes can hold onto energy long after their previous occupants have moved on. Could this have been what Barbara and her family experienced on that day? If you want to read more creepy experiences from our agents take a look at Krissy Many and Barbara Tesa’s stories.
BHGRE Green Team’s 2023 Awards Ceremony
A Night to Celebrate one of our Most Memorable years yet!
BHGRE Green Team’s 2023 awards ceremony was held on March 29th at the Warwick Valley Country Club. This year was full of transformation, learning, and success for our team and we couldn’t wait to celebrate.
Getting the Night Started…
The evening commenced with an uplifting speech from our President, Vikki Garby. She highlighted our team’s remarkable achievements and the ambitious milestones we reached throughout 2023. Furthermore, Vikki commended the exceptional Dana Green, who will soon assume the role of president.
Following Vikki’s speech, we enjoyed a video crafted by our Marketing and Growth Director, Nicole McCormick. This video showcased many of the memorable moments we shared throughout 2023.
Platinum Awards for $8-11.99 Million in Sales Volume went to:
Tammy Scotto, Ted Van Laar, and Charles Nagy. As seasoned realtors, they have exemplified unparalleled dedication to their craft, consistently surpassing expectations and setting new standards of excellence within the industry. Their unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, expertise, and professionalism have not only elevated their individual success but also enhanced the reputation of BHGRE Green Team as a whole. Their achievements serve as a testament to their passion for real estate and their relentless pursuit of excellence. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tammy, Ted, and Charles for their outstanding success.
Additionally, Tammy Scotto also received two other awards. Our Yearly Sales Leader Award, which is the highest level of achievement. This award is the result of hard work, goal setting, commitment, dedication to clients served, and a love of the profession. She was also given a Citizen of the Year Award in recognition of her valuable contributions and outstanding support to our community.
Kristi Anderson received a Gold Award for achieving $6-7.99 Million in Sales Volume.
Kristi’s dedication and tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has tirelessly worked to excel in her field, consistently going above and beyond to meet her clients’ needs and exceed their expectations. Her passion for real estate and unparalleled work ethic have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in her success.
In addition to Gold Kristi also received a Citizen of the Year award for her valuable contributions and outstanding support to our community.
Silver Awards for $3 to $5.99 Million in Sales were presented to:
Tom Folino, Chris & Megan Kimiecik, Krissy Many, Pip Klein, Vikki Garby, Nicole Albert, Kim Lasalandra, Carol Buchanan, Barbara Tesa, and Renee Williams
Bronze Awards for $1.5 to $2.99 Million in Sales were presented to:
Jimmy Cosenza, Terry Gavan, Adrianne Smith-Arroyo, Joe Mackey, Cara Dumond, Lucyann Tinnirello, Kathleen Eubanks, Heidi Hyland, Dana Green, and Sol Perry.
Momentum Builder and Legacy Awards
This year, Kristi Anderson received the Momentum Builder Award. This award acknowledges “her ability to create the most positive and consistent momentum in her professional career while maintaining the same impetus reflected in many aspects of her personal life.” During her speech, Kristi opened up about her many challenges over the last year. Even so, her dedication to her career and clients never faltered.
Charles Nagy was given the Legacy Award in recognition of his dedication to his career as a real estate agent. Charlie has been in the business for many years and his success has been nothing short of inspiring.
Additional Awards…
The Rising Star Award was presented to Vanessa Wight and Margaret “Peggy” Bradfield in recognition of their exceptional and ongoing growth in the real estate profession.
Carol Buchanan was awarded Mentor of the Year in recognition of her exceptional guidance, unwavering support, and invaluable wisdom while nurturing talent and fostering growth within the industry.
Our Team Players of the Year were Barbara Tesa and Britanni Gaucher. They were given these awards in recognition of their reliability, positivity, and dependability while exhibiting dedication which embodies the spirit of teamwork.
Thomas Folino received the Student of the Year Award in recognition of his unparalleled dedication, exemplary work ethic, and relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Britanni Gaucher was also awarded our Smallest Big Deal Award in recognition of her dedication to even the smallest of sales proving that this career is about the relationships & building long-lasting connections.
Pip Klein was awarded the Quality Control Certificate In recognition of her ability to be certain that everything within the brokerage is up to the highest of standards and meets guidelines.
Finally, Barbara Tesa also received the Long Distance Relationship Award in recognition of her dedication to going the distance for her clients.
A Night to Remember
Once the awards were concluded, our CEO Geoffrey Green stepped up to thank Carol Buchanan, our former Broker Manager, and our President Vikki Garby, who have done so much to support our team over the years.
The remainder of the evening unfolded in a whirlwind of joy and camaraderie as we danced the night away, and enjoyed the company of our extraordinary teammates.
We are so thankful for our success in 2023 and can’t wait to see what 2024 brings!
NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2023 Winners
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team was Excited to see our Agents Shine at the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award®s for 2023.
The real estate industry is highly competitive, with agents striving to provide exceptional service and deliver outstanding results. On March 20, 2024 we had the privilege to recognize and congratulate the remarkable achievements of several BHGRE Green Team agents at the esteemed NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® held at Minerals Resort in Vernon, NJ. Their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to their clients have earned them well-deserved accolades. Join us in celebrating the incredible accomplishments of Ted Van Laar, Charles Nagy, Kristi Anderson, Barbara Tesa, and Nicole Albert as they shine brightly at this prestigious event.
Silver Level Recognition $6.5-11.99 million: Ted Van Laar, Charles Nagy & Kristi Anderson.
We are delighted to honor Ted Van Laar, Charles Nagy and Kristi Anderson for their remarkable accomplishments. All of these amazing agents have received the Silver Level award at the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® Ceremony. Ted, Charlie and Barbara’s unwavering commitment to their clients and exceptional service have consistently exceeded expectations. Their attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, and market expertise have contributed to their success in helping clients navigate the real estate market with ease. Barbara and Ted’s Silver Level recognition is a well-deserved tribute to their hard work and dedication. Congratulations, Barbara and Ted!
Bronze Level Achievement $2.5-6.49 million: Barbara Tesa & Nicole Albert
We are delighted to congratulate Barbara Tesa and Nicole Albert on receiving the Bronze Level award at the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® Ceremony. Their passion for real estate, combined with their dedication to their clients, have allowed them to achieve remarkable results. Additionally, their integrity, professionalism, and expertise have earned them the trust and admiration of their clients. Barbara and Nicole’s Bronze Level recognition is a testament to their commitment to excellence and unwavering pursuit of client satisfaction. Well done, Barbara and Nicole!
The achievements of Ted Van Laar, Charles Nagy, Kristi Anderson, Barbara Tesa, and Nicole Albert at the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award®s serve as a testament to their exceptional skills, unwavering commitment, and outstanding contributions to the real estate industry. These agents have not only excelled professionally but have also made a significant impact on the lives of their clients. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment to providing exceptional service have set them apart as true industry leaders. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kristi, Barbara, Ted, Charlie and Nicole for their well-deserved recognition and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
Celebrating Success at the New Jersey Circle of Excellence Awards
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team was Excited to see our Agents Shine at the New Jersey 2022 Circle of Excellence Awards.
The real estate industry is highly competitive, with agents striving to provide exceptional service and deliver outstanding results. Today, we have the privilege to recognize and congratulate the remarkable achievements of several BHGRE Green Team agents at the esteemed New Jersey Circle of Excellence Awards. Their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to their clients have earned them well-deserved accolades. Join us in celebrating the incredible accomplishments of Kristi Anderson, Barbara Tesa, Ted Van Laar, and Charles Nagy as they shine brightly at this prestigious event.
Gold Level Achievement $12-19.9 million: Kristi Anderson
We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Kristi Anderson for her remarkable achievement of receiving the Gold Level award. Kristi’s exceptional skills, industry knowledge, and unparalleled commitment to her clients have truly set her apart. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and passion for helping clients find their dream homes have made her a trusted and respected name in the real estate industry. Kristi’s Gold Level recognition is a testament to her unwavering dedication and outstanding accomplishments. Well done, Kristi!
Silver Level Recognition $6.5-11.99 million: Barbara Tesa and Ted Van Laar
We are delighted to honor Barbara Tesa and Ted Van Laar for their remarkable accomplishments. Both of these amazing agents have received the Silver Level award at the New Jersey Circle of Excellence Awards. Barbara and Ted’s unwavering commitment to their clients and exceptional service have consistently exceeded expectations. Their attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, and market expertise have contributed to their success in helping clients navigate the real estate market with ease. Barbara and Ted’s Silver Level recognition is a well-deserved tribute to their hard work and dedication. Congratulations, Barbara and Ted!
Bronze Level Achievement $2.5-6.49 million: Charles Nagy
We are delighted to congratulate Charles Nagy on receiving the Bronze Level award at the New Jersey Circle of Excellence Awards. Charles’s passion for real estate, combined with his dedication to his clients, has allowed him to achieve remarkable results. Additionally, his integrity, professionalism, and expertise have earned him the trust and admiration of his clients. Charles’s Bronze Level recognition is a testament to his commitment to excellence and his unwavering pursuit of client satisfaction. Well done, Charles!
The achievements of Kristi Anderson, Barbara Tesa, Ted Van Laar, and Charles Nagy at the New Jersey Circle of Excellence Awards serve as a testament to their exceptional skills, unwavering commitment, and outstanding contributions to the real estate industry. These agents have not only excelled professionally but have also made a significant impact on the lives of their clients. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment to providing exceptional service have set them apart as true industry leaders. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kristi, Barbara, Ted, and Charles for their well-deserved recognition and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
Easter Bunny makes An “Egg-citing” visit!
There’s nothing as Egg-citing as a visit from the Easter Bunny!
When BHGRE Green Team learned the Easter Bunny would be visiting Vernon a little early this year we “hopped” right into action. On March 9th our agents, Joe Mackey, Kimberly Lasalandra, Toni Kreusch, Kristi Anderson, Amy Klypka, Charles Nagy, Barbara Tesa, and Peggy Bradfield all got together. They spent hours filling eggs for our fuzzy friend. They then spread them around during an easter egg hunt at our Vernon office on Saturday, April 1st. Once all the eggs were filled we could barely contain our excitement.
Finally, the wait was over, and our team rushed to the office to see the magic that the Easter Bunny had created. When Barbara Tesa, Kim Lasalandra, Peggy Bradfield, Kristi Anderson, Vikki Garby, Heidi Hyland, Toni Kreusch, and Ted Van Laar walked through the door they couldn’t believe their eyes. Despite the rainy weather, our office was full of festive Spring Vibes. There were decorations, treats, easter eggs, and The Easter Bunny himself!
Soon enough it was time for the fun to really begin. When the children and their families arrived at our office it was time to start the egg hunt. You could feel the air buzzing with excitement as they ran through the rooms collecting as many eggs as would fit in their baskets. Our team and the Easter Bunny cheered them on the entire time. Once all the eggs were found the Easter Bunny was happy to sit for photos with the kids.
Our team loves to see the joy that these events bring to the members of our community. This was an amazing experience for all of us and we can’t wait until we host our next fun event!
BHGRE Green Team’s 2022 Awards Ceremony
An afternoon to Celebrate one of our Most Memorable years yet
BHGRE Green Team’s 2022 awards ceremony was held on March 3rd at the Warwick Valley Country Club. This year was full of transformation, learning, and success for our team and we couldn’t wait to celebrate.
In May 2022, Vikki Garby stepped into the position of Green Team Realty’s new President. Since then she has invested countless hours of hard work into improving our company. Shortly after, our beloved Broker manager for our NY office, Lucyann Tinnirello stepped down. After being in this position since 2018 she decided it was time for her to begin focusing on working full-time with her clients. Carol Buchanan was chosen to take her place and has done a fantastic job as our NY office’s new Broker Manager.
Arguably our largest change came in July of 2022. After 17 years as an independent agency, the decision was made to affiliate with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. This opportunity was unparalleled; the marketing tools and training they provide to our agents give us a huge advantage in the business.
Getting the Afternoon Started…
Our President Vikki Garby started the afternoon with an inspiring speech. Since her promotion to president, she has made inspiring teamwork and improving the experience of our agents her priority.
Following Vikki’s speech, our CEO Geoffery Green stepped up to take the mic. He extended his appreciation to our agents as well as our “behind the scenes” team. He invited our ASMs, Natalee DiMichele and Morgan Beattie, and our Broker Managers Carol Buchanan, Kim Lasalandra, and Krissy Many. As well as our headquarters team, Nicole McCormick, Britanni Gaucher, Ryan Fischer, Lora Chandra, Vikki Garby, and Jane Steinhoff. These individuals keep our team running smoothly and help our sales associates be as successful as they can be.
He also thanked Linda VanDeWeert, our “jack of all trades” as well as Lucyann Tinnirello, NY’s former Broker manager.
After Geoff’s speech, our Marketing Director Nicole McCormick took over to start the awards.
The Emerald Elite, Yearly Sales Leader, and Citizen of the year awards go to… Kristi Anderson!
Kristi’s hard work and dedication to her clients and her career placed her at the top this year. She blew us away when she not only closed out 2022 with $12,422,350 in total sales volume but also was the top-selling agent in Vernon, NJ for 2022. She was proud to have helped 45 different families with their real estate dreams.
With all these accomplishments, it’s no surprise Kristi reached Emerald Elite status and received the Yearly Sales Leader award. Additionally, for the second year in a row, Kristi was selected as BHGRE Green Team’s Citizen of the year. This award is given in recognition of their valuable contributions and outstanding support to their community.
Congratulations Kristi!
The Platinum and Team Player of the Year awards go to… Barbara Tesa!
Barbara joined our team in 2017 and brought her 20 years of exceptional real estate experience. Over the years she has continued to excel and has become one of our top Sales associates. Barbara has been described as an intelligent, responsive, and hardworking agent who will stop at nothing to achieve her client’s goals. This professionalism and work ethic continue to set her apart from the competition and these qualities are what earned her the Platinum sales award for $8-11.99 Million in sales volume.
Additionally, Barbara also received one of the “Team Player of the year” awards. The recipient of this award is chosen by their peers to recognize their reliability, positivity, and dependability while exhibiting dedication and devotion to the agency and team.
Congratulations Barbara!
Gold Awards for $6-7.99 Million in Sales were presented to:
Kristine Many, Chris & Megan Kimiecik, Vikki Garby, Charles Nagy, and Ted Van Laar.
Silver Awards for $3 to $5.99 Million in Sales were presented to:
Tammy Scotto, Carol Buchanan, Nancy Sardo, Cara Dumond, Barbara Matchett, Ed Sattler, Tom Folino, Pip Klein, and Renee Williams.
Bronze Awards for $1.5 to $2.99 Million in Sales were presented to:
Robert Valentine, Linda VanDeWeert, Kimberly Lasalandra, Guillermina Tavares, Lucyann Tinnirello, Angela Murphy, Kathy Eubanks, Toni Vogel, Terry Gavan, Kathy Moran, Toni Kreusch, Britanni Gaucher, Vanessa Wight, and Jacque Kraszewski.
Team Players, Mentor, Citizens, Student, and Rising Stars of the Year…
Team Players are chosen by their peers, “in recognition of their reliability, positivity, and dependability while exhibiting dedication and devotion to the agency and team.” Our sales associates selected Barbara Tesa and Brian Cisek as the recipients of this award for 2022.
Krissy Many earned her award for Mentor of the Year “in recognition of her dedication, dependability, and devotion to Her mentees.”
Citizens of the Year are selected in recognition of their valuable contributions and outstanding support to our community. This award was given to Walter Ross and Kristi Anderson to recognize all they do for their communities.
Pip Klein was presented the “Student of the Year” award in recognition of her dedication and devotion to expanding her knowledge.
For the first time this year, we introduced the Rising Star award. This is given to agents to recognize their exceptional and ongoing growth in the Real Estate Profession. Barbara Matchett and Kathleen Moran were presented with these awards for their extraordinary success as newer agents.
Additional Awards…
Joseph Mackey was presented with the “Smallest Big Deal” award for 2022. This award was given to recognize his dedication to even the smallest of sales, proving that this career is about relationships and building long-lasting connections.
Teresa “Terry” Gavan was given the Legacy Award in recognition of the dedication she has shown over her 40-year career as a real estate agent. Afterward, she gave a wonderful speech recounting the amazing memories she has made over the years.
The Momentum Builder Award was given to Cara Dumond this year. This award is given to acknowledge “her ability to create the most positive and consistent momentum in her professional career while maintaining the same impetus reflected in many aspects of her personal life.” During Cara’s speech, she opened up about the many challenges she faced over the years. Her two children joined us for our award ceremony to show the support and pride they have for all their mother’s achievements.
Finally, Vanessa Wight was awarded a certificate for the “Funniest Survey Answer”. While preparing for our awards ceremony our associates were sent an “endless” amount of survey requests. Vanessa kept the entire team laughing with her humorous responses while completing them.
Time for food, fun, and friends…
Once the award presentations finished our team spent the rest of the afternoon celebrating. Despite the challenges, 2022 was an amazing year we won’t soon forget.
BHGRE Luxury Essentials Skills Certified
Almost Weekly Since Our Affiliation With Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate, Our Agents Have Been Given New Chances To Expand Their Knowledge And Improve Their Business.
Recently Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate offered our agents the exciting chance to become Luxury Essentials Skills Certified. Almost every Realtor in the business dreams about breaking into the Luxury Real Estate Market. Unfortunately, becoming a name in the Luxury Real Estate industry proves to be difficult to achieve. Few agents ever get the opportunity to have a single Luxury listing, let alone become experts in the Luxury market.
Distinctive Collection brings luxury to mind which is why BHGRE offers this high-end advantage; you expect service and support from your real estate partner that is as singular and distinct as your position in the marketplace. It was obvious this class would truly give our team members a huge advantage over their competition. During this course, our agents were taught the language of Luxury. They were shown how to make a name for themselves and break into this niche market. Throughout the course, they honed their skills and explored ways to provide the best white glove service to luxury clients. Additionally, everything they learned would not only enhance their profitability but give their business a boost unlike any other.
Upon their completion of this course, our sales associates are ready to share the immense amount of knowledge they have gained. Additionally, they now have a luxury flag for their profile pictures so they can market themselves as luxury certified.
We Are So Proud Of Our Agents Who Went Above And Beyond To Obtain this Certification And Expand Their Knowledge.
Our knowledgeable real estate professionals in the luxury field are always ready to help you accomplish your goals. We serve Warwick, Goshen, Monroe, Chester, Montgomery, and many other towns & villages in the Hudson Valley, NY area. Additionally, our luxury New Jersey agents are well-versed in many areas of Northern, NJ such as Vernon, Sparta, Hardyston, Hamburg, and more towns in Sussex, Bergan, Passaic, and Morris County. You can be sure these real estate professionals will give you the best luxury real estate experience possible.
Our New York Distinctive Collection Luxury Certified agents are James Cosenza, Tammy Scotto, Janine Blandino, Vikki Garby, Angela Murphy, Kristine Many, Pip Klein, and Kasey Douglas!
Our New Jersey Distinctive Collection Luxury Certified agents are Barbara Tesa and Toni Kreusch.
2022’s 4th Quarter Sales Leaders
We are proud to share our 2022 4th Quarter sales leaders. These agents have shown their hard work and dedication and have ended the year on top.
According to Vikki Garby, President of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team,
“Our agents have endured significant changes this past year. In an effort to strengthen our organization for the benefit of both our clients and our agents, we made management changes and we affiliated with the international lifestyle brand, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. While change can be difficult, our agents embraced our new tools with the guidance of our new leadership. Throughout the year, they stayed focused on their clients’ needs which is first and foremost our #1 priority. I’m so proud of each and every one of our agents and look forward to another great year in 2023.”
Congratulations to all these amazing agents!
Carol Buchanan, Kristi Anderson, Cara Dumond, Barbara Matchett, Tammy Scotto, Ted Van Laar, Charles Nagy, Nancy Sardo, Barbara Tesa, Krissy Many, Yvette Saldana, Edward Sattler, Kim Lasalandra, Chris and Megan Kimiciek, Joe Mackey, Michelle Spina, and Tom Folino.
Haunted Homes: Janet Ramirez’s story
Janet Ramirez Is A Member Of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Integrity Real Estate located in Stockton California.
She was kind enough to share with us a terrifying experience that happened 12 years ago while she was at a home in her area.
All of Janet Ramirez’s friends know she is the person to call for your real estate needs. That’s why when her friend, Angelica, was ready to start looking for a home she contacted Janet.
They began their search by looking at homes in a Stockton neighborhood filled with houses built in the 1800s. It wasn’t long until Janet found her friend a beautiful craftsman-style Victorian that was for sale at 720 West Flora Street. For Angelica, it was love at first sight and they quickly put an offer in. There were smiles all around when the offer was accepted and they moved forward into escrow.
Janet wasn’t expecting anything crazy when she and her friend met the inspector at the home. They followed him into the basement and, as to be expected in such an old home, it was dark and creepy with a dirt floor. Janet had been in plenty of basements like this before but after a short period of time she began to feel uneasy; The heaviness in the room was making her head spin. At the time Janet was 8 months pregnant with her daughter and brushed it off as being pregnancy related. Her dizziness continued and she started to feel worse.
Janet woke up on the front porch of the home. She was confused and had no memory of leaving the basement let alone going outside. It took Janet a moment to realize what was going on. Angelica and the home inspector were both crouched next to her, frantically trying to wake her up repeatedly asking her if she was okay.
Janet sat up and asked her friend what happened and how she got there. Angelica explained to her that they had all been in the basement when Janet suddenly fainted. Thankfully the inspector had been standing behind her and caught her as she fell. Janet told Angelica about the feeling she got in the basement but once again brushed it off as nothing.
Janet and Angelica sat outside on the porch while the inspector finished up. As they were getting ready to leave the seller returned to the home and came over to them. Janet and her friend spoke with the woman quickly but needed to leave so Janet could get some rest after the incident; they said their goodbyes. The home inspector told Janet he was going to stay behind a couple of minutes to get all his tools packed up.
Janet returned home and had just sat down to relax when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw that the home inspector was calling. She answered assuming he had been worried after she had fainted and wanted to see how she was feeling.
Right away he said “Oh my God, I just left the house” He was in shock as he went on to tell her about a conversation he had just had with the owner. The inspector told the owner what had happened to Janet in the basement. She wasn’t surprised at all to hear what had happened to Janet followed by an explanation of how she is going to miss her friendly “Ghost Friends” when she moves.
She continued to tell the inspector how Charles Manson fanatics often attempt to sneak into the home when she isn’t there. When the inspector inquired to her about why Charles Manson fans were interested in that house she told him a gruesome story.
In November 1972, members of the Manson Family-Nancy Pitman, Priscilla Cooper, James Craig, Michael Monfort and William Goucher killed a man by the name of James Willet, stealing his car and kidnapping his wife Lauren “Remy” and their baby Heidi Willet. They kept them hostage in the house on West Flora Street, according to mansonblog.com.
On November 8th, 1972 the body of James Willett was found in Guerneville, CA. Upon discovery of the body, the members then murdered Remy believing the couple was working with police. Her body was later found buried in that same basement Janet fainted in. The cult intended to keep Heidi to raise for themselves.
Police received a tip that James’ car was parked outside of the home on West Flora Street. When the police came to raid the home, a member of the Manson Family was holding the baby in her arms, unharmed.
The inspector said to Janet “Maybe this woman’s spirit sensed your baby girl and her spirit was attracted to you; that’s why you fainted.”
By the time Janet hung up with the inspector she felt sick. She called her friend to tell her about the horrifying new information she had just learned. While she was on the phone she googled the home’s address and sure enough, there was a news article about the brutal murder.
You can never know the full history of a home and sometimes maybe you don’t want to. This story is absolutely terrifying and has definitely left a lasting impression on how Janet thinks of haunted homes.
If You Enjoyed Janet’s Story As Much As We Did Consider Checking Out Barbara Tesa, Krissy Many, Barbara Matchett, Spyce Hogan, And Sandra Medina’s Stories.
Haunted Homes: Spyce Hogan’s Story
Spyce Hogan is a member of our Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate family all the way from Berkeley California.
Spyce is part of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners and was kind enough to write about one of her ghostly experiences for us to share.
The first time I ever remember feeling spirit energy in a house was when I was 6 years old. We lived across the street from an abandoned property and I’d sneak into the house whenever I could and rummage around, imagining the people that lived there when it wasn’t a shell of a loved home. I know now that I was truly getting an actual sense of the original occupants, but until I learned to accept what was coming to me as info, I thought it was just my imagination.
Fast forward many years, and while Daisy Rock was not my first house purchase, it was about to be my best yet. I had been a realtor and investor for a while now, but this was something special. From the moment I saw the picture on the MLS of a window with thesunlight pouring in, I could feel the energy of those who had looked out that window before. I immediately went to the property for a visit and the moment I went in, felt the strong love of a man and a woman. I knew I had to know more.
Luckily there was more, as Harry Chepriss, the man who built the house with his wife Daisy, had been something of a local celebrity in Asheville NC, and during his lifetime has been featured in quite a few local publications, including an Oral History of Asheville transposed in the late 70’s for the local university. So once I started to dig into it, I was able to find the whole story.
It turned out that my intuition was right and Harry and Daisy were deeply in love, despite a large age gap and incompatible backgrounds. So together they built their home on the side of Old Haywood road, and created their sanctuary from the everyday world, and a place to live and love as they pleased. Their care for the property was apparent in the home’s rockwork, spiraling gardens, flowering trees, and Greek inscriptions laced about the property.
This fairyland feel is what drew my husband and I to this place, along with the love that emanated from it’s every stone, and we knew we had to have it. Two other groups had been there in between Harry & Daisy, but their energy was still so strong in that place that they loved, and we felt them cheating us on through every aspect of the purchase. We all know how real estate transactions are almost never totally smooth, but we were lucky enough to become its stewards, and immediately set to work revitalizing the property back to its former glory.
We remodeled the home using all natural products, and worked to create a comfortable space, with all the modern amenities needed, while still paying homage to the old world charm inherent in the property.
The custom designed beach themed kitchen gives a nod to Harry’s Mediterranean lineage, as well as our own love of the ocean. Blues and beach pebble co-mingle with wave-like lighting fixtures and handles, and sandy colored cabinetry. The other rooms were painted to create a relaxing and inspired feel in the Southwest lounge, the Purple Passion Suite, the Zen Grass Den, and that’s just the inside!
Outside there are so many mature trees and flowering plants, a stone BBQ that Harry & Daisy built with their bare hands, and a well that still had water in it all these years later. This was important to Harry as he liked to welcome people to his property, and offer them water. So on the well, and all over the property you can find his name carved into the stone, as well as his place of birth in Greece. The place he loved but never really got to return to.
So even though Daisy Rock Cottage (as we aptly named her) has always been a place of love that everyone feels, it can also be a place of longing, and a wistful feeling of home. That’s why we loved the years that it was an Airbnb, as we know Harry loved people, community, and travelers. He was a social person, and he struggled with being an immigrant and being separated from family. We loved providing him with travelers and families to visit with.
Some people are afraid to hear that perhaps someone died in the house they might buy but for me, I’ve had a wonderful time connecting with these loving entities. And because we cared enough to pay homage to them, and thank them for building this sweet space, we’ve been able to create beauty and magic for many.
Of course not every house and the spirits residing there are that easy to fall in love with, and I’ve had to remove dark energies from houses as well. But that’s a story for another time! This Halloween I’m sharing a spooky love story and giving thanks and acknowledgment to my friends, Harry & Daisy!
A house is a living thing. It holds the energy of the many people that have lived in it over the years. People who have lived, loved, laughed, cried and died in the home. A home is a very special thing. Everyone wants one and most of us do our best to get one in the course of this life. As real estate agents, our life’s mission is to help people in this realm and make the home buying and selling process delightful and stress free.
Not everyone that I work with needs to see or feel the energies in a house, or even believe in it! But for those that do, I can provide a certain extra something to help my clients manifest their dreams like I did!
If you enjoyed Spyce’s story as much as we did consider checking out Barbara Tesa, Krissy Many, Barbara Matchett, and Sandra Medina’s stories.
