Despite my quasi-genuine smile above, Brian is making the pose I really wanted to strike in this pic. Unfortunately, I couldn't handle that pose while also holding my drink and that enormous banner sign. And I wasn't gonna let go of the drink.
Make no mistake, I went to that banquet seeking Gold. Sold & Gold was the goal. I got the Sold part taken care of early. And then when we were standing there last week and they announced my house as the Silver winner, I think I was stunned more than anything. Sold & Silver? What the heck was that? It was a scenario I just hadn't even considered. Brian says I walked up to the stage so fast he could barely keep up with me and trailed at least 10 ft behind. I don't remember walking fast, I only remember thinking, 'who the hell beat me?' and simultaneously, 'I really hope I don't fall in these shoes.'
I sound like a brat but I can't help it. I know Silver is great. I know Silver is an honor. But I went to that banquet like the Golddigger Kanye was singing about in his duet with Jamie Foxx. To my knowledge, they don't make songs about Silverdiggers. And if they did, it would be moot cuz I wasn't going there hoping for 2nd place.
When they announced the Gold Winner...I'm fairly certain I made a 'who the hell is that?' kinda face. I would be awful at any sort of televised award ceremony but I would make for great tv. I didn't recognize the builder nor did I recognize the neighborhood. I was totally and completely blindsided by this unknown who just kicked my ass. The only thing I knew was the house that won Gold wasn't a single family home and was located in downtown Raleigh. Which inspired my Facebook status that night to read, 'I lost to an apt inside the beltine. So pissed. Silver... Whatev..,'
As you can see, I handled the loss with the same grace and dignity I never really had in the first place.
So last Friday, after pumping myself up for a few days on happy, if not somewhat consoling positive thoughts, I decided to be a big girl and visit the Gold winning townhome. Turns out 'apt' may have been an unfair description.
I called up my friend, Jenn Nowalk to go with me. Jenn works for Homes By Dickerson and she's been a great friend and very supportive BLAG cheerleader. Incidentally, Jenn and her team took home two Silvers and two Golds on Parade night. She's no slouch.
So Jenn and I roll up to the Gold Winner and in the midst of trying to take a picture of me making a rude gesture towards the GOLD WINNER banner across the sign in the front of the townhome, I hear, 'ALAINA MONEY, is that YOU?' coming from inside the home.
My first thought was, 'OMG, did he just see me trying to flip off his sign?' and my second thought was, 'OMG, I know that voice!' It was the voice of a very fun, very cool agent I worked with on a transaction a few years ago...a different life working for a different builder. His follow up question, 'Did you come to check out this apartment inside the beltline?' did little to calm the OMG's in my head. We're Facebook friends so he was well aware of how well I handled the loss.
It was time to come clean. 'Yes, I did!' was all I managed to say. Jenn and I toured the townhome together and guess what? It was lovely. And it was deserving. The hardwood floors were 400 yrs old...from a barn in Tarboro, NC. The windows were casement. The bathrooms had furniture style vanities and don't get me started on the super-size mac-daddy spa shower. It was gorgeous.
Just before we left we had the chance to meet one of the builders...the 'Hill' from the building team of Gephart-Hill. He was just as lovely and charming as the home he built. And I told him as much. His Gold Winning townhome isn't Sold so I've included a link to their home here. As you'll see, it's kind of spectacular. And whoever buys it is getting a great deal not to mention a beautiful home.
I still like my house best...but seeing that Gold Winning house gave my Silver a whole new sheen.
Sold & Silver. Built in Seventy-Four Days.
I'm good with that.
too funny!!
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