Having lived next door to our elderly friends (both now in their 90’s) for twenty years, they became more than neighbors, and much more than friends — They became family! When it was deemed time to move near their daughter in Spokane, they were overwhelmed by the idea of all that needed to take place. Not only had they built and lived in their home for over fifty years, but they had kept virtually everything that they had ever owned or used or collected in their large unfinished basement. Their Depression-era thinking was that they could retrieve whatever they “might need or could be useful or meaningful or of interest” one day. As those days became years and then decades … Well, we all get the picture.
Enter Rich Old!
When Mr. Old initially met with the family, he was as much a counselor as he was an estate sale professional. He was honest, insightful, respectful, kind and clear. He encouraged the elders to take their time in making their decisions, and actually delayed drawing up a contact until they had a little more time to consider what items they wanted to take with them. Being a most intuitive gentleman, he was quickly able to discern the needs and wishes of both generations of the family, and bring clarity to the tasks at hand. When he did draw up a contract for them, they were most surprised by his extremely reasonable rate.
Once Rich commenced his work, he moved through with a clearly experienced plan and strategy. Sifting and sorting and hauling and moving; he is a true environmentalist, recycling everything he possibly could. After he moved through that first phase, he then began the online auction phase, and lined everything up with clockwork precision, from the listings to the bidding to arranging for the sold items to be picked up. Once all that was done, he began the clean-up phase, both inside and out. The transformation, in such a brief amount of time, was nothing short of amazing. And … All the while, as he would find “buried treasures” that the family had long ago forgotten, he would set them aside for their remembrance and safekeeping. His attention to detail and his thoughtful professionalism is exceptional. What a gift he is to so many!
Anyone thinking of a move – whether for yourself or loved ones – ought to consider the very practiced expert that we have in our midst here on the Palouse. Rich Old is truly a regional treasure.
Kim Forester and Marc Evans