By Robyn A. Friedman
Q: What's the most heartwarming moment you've ever witnessed during a real-estate transaction?
Lauren Taranto, a real-estate agent, Coldwell Banker, Naples, Fla.
In December, I was at a $12.75 million listing in Naples -- a five-bedroom Neoclassical home located just one house from the beach. This house has a castle-like feel, with rotunda ceilings and turrets in the rear. It also has an elegant curved mahogany staircase that serves as a focal point when you enter the home. I call it "the wedding staircase" -- and it lived up to its name that day.
I had been at the property for an open house, but it started to rain so I decided to close up early. As I was outside taking the signs down, I saw a couple in wedding attire on the beach across the street, trying to take photos. They had just gotten married. The woman was wearing a white dress and holding a bouquet, and the man was in a sports jacket with a white boutonniere. I invited them inside to finish up and get out of the rain. They were soaked, and the bride's hair was pretty wet. I dried them off as best I could, and the couple and their friend, who was shooting the photos, came inside. They climbed the staircase and took a few more photos.
The couple were adorable -- in their 20s and extremely appreciative. I didn't have any Champagne in the refrigerator, so we just toasted with water in plastic cups. It was informal, but darling and a magic moment. It made their day -- and my day, too.
Joan Lamond, real-estate agent, The Agency, Pasadena, Calif.
Last fall, I worked with a family of six who were searching for a home in La Cañada Flintridge, an exclusive enclave north of Los Angeles. Initially, they didn't think they'd be able to afford a house that was updated and large enough for their four kids, aged 8 to 16. This family had been renting a small house for nearly a year, and the children had to share cramped bedrooms. After finalizing their budget, they realized a home we had previously toured was within their reach. It was a remodeled four-bedroom house with a pool, and after a bidding war, they got the place for $2.43 million.
The parents wanted to surprise their kids, so they kept the purchase a secret. On closing day, the mom told the kids I was hosting an open house there. She created a scavenger hunt, with riddle clues, and asked me to hide the clues throughout the house. She told the kids I would be giving away a really good prize.
I arrived early that day to hide the clues and add a surprise of my own -- a ribbon-cutting ceremony leading to the backyard, which I had decorated with oversize games like Jenga, Connect 4 and cornhole, as well as inflatable-pool accessories to make the scene festive.
When they showed up, I told the kids that solving each riddle would lead to a clue word that they would have to put into a sentence to win the prize. They found all the clues and arranged the words into a sentence that said: "This house was purchased by us!"
At first, the kids were confused. Then it clicked. Their shock turned into excitement and celebration. But the moment that stayed with me the most was seeing the oldest son, a teenager, get emotional, with tears streaming down his face. There wasn't a dry eye among us.
Deanna Lloyd, real-estate agent, Brown Harris Stevens, New York City
In 2022, I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful buyer in his early 30s, who purchased a three-bedroom condominium in a new development in Tribeca for $5.6 million. Before closing, he called me with a very special request. He asked if I would help him plan a surprise proposal to his girlfriend in their new apartment, which he saw as the perfect setting to begin their next chapter.
Together with the developer's sales team, I arranged a pretend walk-through of the unit one Sunday. We made sure the space was cleared of any stored materials so it would feel open, fresh and ready for the moment.
When they arrived, his girlfriend had no idea what was about to happen. I, on the other hand, could barely contain my excitement. We escorted them upstairs, gave them privacy and then waited, trying not to check the clock every two minutes. About 20 minutes later, they came down, and she had a beautiful diamond ring on her finger.
We hugged, congratulated them, and I felt genuine joy for my buyers. Being able to play even a small part in such a meaningful moment was incredibly rewarding.
-- Edited from interviews
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 23, 2026 16:00 ET (20:00 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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