The house kitty corner across the street is for sale and has been for a number of months. Either I am curious or simply have too much time on my hands, I have been taking note of folks who stop by to take a look. Some are escorted by one of the local real estate agents; others appear to be "just looking" as they walk the yard. A third group is even more subtle; these folks slowly drive by and turn onto the side street (The house sits on a corner lot.) to get the view from another perspective and determine if the property has a possible "better side." The boldest of these drivers-by may even turn into the alley for a third point of view.

I try to get some idea of the particular folks looking the place over and who must might be a potential purchaser and eventual new neighbor. There are out-of-state and in-state license plates among the visitors. The vehicles, for the most part, are quite modest. If there has been a Corvette or a Hummer among those stopping by, I have missed them. The visitors/interested parties/prospective buyers range in age from young adults to well matured adults. There also has been apparent off-spring of these folks some of which are of the teenage variety.

After who, the question becomes why. Is the occupant-to-be intending to make this their primary residence or will it become a part-time residence or second home? The second home option raises an additional question: will the house be part of the local short-term rental market? Will it appear in the Airbnb system?

My speculation has me favoring year-a-around owner occupancy with the addition of children and pets. I won't speculate about the probability of a backyard chicken coop, but I won't rule it out either. My quick read of the city ordinance on the subject of animals would allow for the keeping of fowl as long as they are not at large. There is a reference to "barking dogs and crying cats," but no mention of noisy roosters or fowl without noting gender.

More questions come to mind:
What will be the new owner's personal philosophy with respect to the proper maintenance height of grass and the insistence mono-culture over vari-culture lawns?

What are the personally acceptable outside dates for the display of outside Christmas/Holiday lights and decorations? Will their tastes tend towards the minimalist or the extravagant? Will they be even more discrete and limit themselves to interior decorations? Will they be non-celebrants of this or other holidays? (There is, in fact, a city ordinance which stipulates that "holiday lighting" is exempt from provisions of the ordinance between November 30th and January 30th. That destroys my argument that fireworks are holiday lighting. Or are they permitted during that 62 day window?)

Are they dog or cat people? Inside or outside? Big dogs or not so big? (I don't size cats.)

When the realtor and any prospective buyers are around, I try to maintain a low profile staying inside and away from the windows. I don't want to negatively influence the decisions of these folks. They will have to make their call based on externals, that is, the appearance of my place, as to whether or not they would like to buy a home in my neighborhood. They can fantasize about who might live in that red house kitty corner across the street from the one they are considering. If they should find out they are wrong at some future date, they have only their fantasy to blame. My rationale will be that I have enough difficulty living up to my own self image, let alone trying to fulfill some one's fantasy.

By the way, my lawn mowing philosophy is medium height with regular mowing.