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AN INTERVIEW WITH CLAIRE & TONY GRANGER
PROUD HOMEOWNERS OF 634 SOUTH BENSON ROAD SINCE 2008

WHAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS HOME?

We absolutely loved that not one room was a box (well maybe the bathrooms are boxes but
thats all) - interesting shapes. Very efficient use of space so heating and cooling is extremely
efficient - our utility bills have been very low in this house compared to other homes. Basically
4 lounge areas which made it very easy for everyone to have somewhere to go. The TV Room
above the garage is a huge hit as you can crank up the volume. The flow into and out of the house is
exceptional. I think we might have the most external doors in the neighborhood - it is fabulous. Didn't
want a garden that required too much work. Loved the pool area.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE RENOVATION PROCESS ...

This home is beautiful on the surface but behind the scenes just as much care has been taken, it is
hurricane strapped. Each floor has equal load bearing - so the top floor is as strong as the first floor
(normally as you go up each floor it gets less). So you can have heavy equipment or furniture on the top
floor. Professionally Wired with a portable generator that works a treat when needed. 13.5 feet above
Flood leaves us with minimal flood insurance.

WHY ARE YOU MOVING?

Our last child just moved to LA for Uni, we have a home in Spain that we spend time at and we also live
in NYC. The house is simply just too big and not used enough to justify it anymore. It needs to be loved
by someone else now. We are going to rent something small in the beach area as we aren't ready to
fully let go of it yet.

WILL YOU MISS THE NEIGHBORS?

I will especially miss my neighbors and the walks to the beach and around the marina - the marina
walk was one of my favorites at all times of year and all the people that you meet along the way. If
you have a dog it is a fabulous area to walk around.

TELL US ABOUT THE GROUNDS ...

In hurricane sandy our garden was hit by salt (house was 100% fine - not even a drop of water in the
crawl space), so we replaced most of garden w/ salt resistant plants while we had the opportunity.

WHAT MAKES YOUR LOT SO SPECIAL?

Like the inside of this house - the outside has many different places to escape to - from laying around
the pool in summer or enjoying a chat around the fire pit, to having coffee on the patio off the kitchen, or
lazing on the outdoor lounge area listening to music on a summer evening - to eating on the BBQ deck,
we have even sat in the chairs on our front porch watching the world go by. Many many basket ball games
have been played in the back drive. Also having 2 driveways in the beach area is a huge advantage.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MENTION ANYTHING ELSE?

We are moving on with fabulous memories of this home and you will meet many neighbors with great memories of
our house too. It has been very very special. It was exceptionally well designed and is very easy to live in.