“I know this is hard to hear, but it might be easier for you to set a low price to reflect the deficiencies.”

“‘Deficiencies’?” Ann felt deflated by that word.

“Given the lot size you can probably get a larger septic system, and that’s a good thing, but it’s expensive to upgrade, I’m guessing about twelve grand. And you’ll need a new well. Water is a problem in this area.”

“What do you mean it’s a problem? We’ve always had water.”

Ann walked over to the kitchen sink and flipped the faucet on, but nothing came out; worse, the handle fell off, clattering when it hit the bottom of the metal sink. “Well, it’s turned off in the winter. There’s water. There’s always been water.”

Carol shook her head. “It’s a known problem.”

“Great,” Ann said. Her stupid suit did nothing to make her feel more in control.

“People want to swoop in for a few days, unwind, drink, play in the sand, whatever. They think about how much they can get for rent in the summer, and a place like this is hard to rent out until it’s fixed up. The house is very special, it is, but it’s easier to rent a cleaner-looking, more generic space. And it’s on the water I guess, but you’re set too far back to get a good view of the cove.”

“You’re saying it’s hopeless.”

Carol’s smile was as unexpected as it was refreshing. “Of course not! I just want you to be realistic. You’ll find a buyer who’s into history, who gets into the old hardware and square nails, the big fireplace, the bean-pot cellar. For those people, the smell of an old house is like the smell of a baseball glove for a baseball player. You’re looking for a romantic.” The way Carol said it, she might have said, You’re looking for … a hopeless loser. “But a more likely scenario is that your buyer will want to tear it down.”

“But it’s, it’s historic. They can’t.”

“It’s not in the historic district, and it’s not listed on the National Register.”

Ann felt like cleaning out her ears. Did this Realtor just talk about the house being torn down? Out loud, in the light of day, practically within earshot of Ann’s dead parents? Selling was one thing; bulldozing the house was something different altogether. It would be like killing a living thing.

Ann said, “Can we make it so that whoever buys it can’t?” She paused. “Can’t tear it down?”

“Maybe you could put a restriction on the deed, or impose a short waiting period, but that’ll drag down the value. If you want to sell, and it sounds like you do, I suggest you try to set your emotions aside. I understand that can be difficult with a family home.”