I'm one of those Real Estate Professionals that loves to have a personal connection with my clients. It's just something that occurs naturally because of a job well done as well as having a personal comfortable connection with clients during the course of one, two, three times a repeat client. It's somewhere during that time that I know we've become far more than business associates. We've become and remained friends.
It all started when I met Kham and his wife Maria in 2005 when he first came back from Afghanistan in the US Army. Star Bulletin Newspaper Article: Bidding Wars Erupt in Seller's Market They bought a condo and then they sold it in 2006 when he got out of the service.
Then they bought another nice townhouse last year:
- It's the Quality of Relationships That THIS Professional is Worth This is one of the few most faithful, loyal and valued clients I've had. Why? Because my business is based on the quality of relationships I have with my clients.
- WooHoo! Appreciation Gifts For Special Clients! After looking at their current home I noticed that they didn't have a bunch of matched up bathroom items. I started my project of buying items here and there for their NEW bathroom that I could arrange in a large basket.
Kham emailed me from Iraq on Thursday (he has been working in Dubai and Iraq for the past three years to put his wife through college) and asked if I could attend his wife's Graduation at the University of Hawaii as he could not get over here.
I went to the UH Graduation 2009 yesterday. I got there after the three hour ceremony but early enough for the congratulations and the flower lei receiving in the ‘field'. Little did I know that Sally would have to walk through two giant parking lots, a baseball field and a soccer field to find her in a swarm of thousands of people! I finally found her and put a nice orchid lei around her neck with a big hug from me....and KHAM.
It was worth it to see her smiling face....the proud University of Hawaii Graduate of 2009!
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
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Sally~ Don't you just love it when your clients become your friends? I have made some of the very best friends ever in real estate. That was very sweet of you to be at the graduation for your client(s). Isn't Going above and beyond is so easy when you are blessed with the best clients in the world?
Vickie: No kidding....they are just the most outstanding kids I've ever met... a lot of giving up being together to get her through school. I commend them for sure!
Sally it is a special feeling when you build the relationship with a client and they keep on coming back to you.
George: Well, not only that....they become friends...I like that.
Sally, you truly depict the aloha spirit, Your clients are friends and probably friends for life.
BTW, Last night I got stuck in the horrific UH Manoa traffic. Lucky you got someone to take you.
Leolinda: I was dehydrated...it was sooo crowded and hot!!!! Thanks...it's all about the spirit of aloha right?
Sally, I totally agree that it is the quality of the relationships we form that makes this job wonderful. There is nothing like having a client turn into a friend for life.
Sally, I love hearing these kinds of stories. It is human beings like you, who not only give us an example to look up to, but add so much to life in general. A Realtor like you makes us all look good. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to make a difference not only in people's lives, but a difference in how society views our profession. Thank you for being you!
Sally, that was a really great thing you did. I'm sure he was happy to have you there, since he couldn't be. Your gift basket idea is also a good one.
I'm also good friends with most of my clients, and even try to visit the ones who are further away, at least once a year; but do stay in touch with them on a regular basis.
There aren't enough days in the Summer months, to accept all the invitations I get, to go to their homes for BBQs. It's a great feeling.
Sally, that is wonderful. It is great to make friends with our clients, that's for sure! Good job!
Patricia: It was nice to be asked to share a special moment for sure!
Susan: I'm glad I'm 'me'.lol. It's all of us who do the above and beyond...the by the book and more...the RE pros that take our job, our lives and just life in general as a gift...not a given.
Sylvie: I love BBQ's! That's on the list the next time he's back :)
Andrea: It sure is....and special moments are even more so...a gift.
Sally, so sweet. I think the quality of your life = the quality of your relationships. Apparently you have a very high quality life!
Kathleen: I keep saying that.... good morals, values and beliefs in every day life...and it carries to everything else :)
Sally, You are such a nice person. I'm sure they will remember this for a long time. You are definately their Realtor for life
I have tears in my eyes. It is so you to become such a freind. I hope he is home soon to celebrate with her.
I always nice to make great friends. When they are/were clients, then that's great too.
Thanks BB. I sent the slide show and they were loving it!
Paddy: I always seem to make you tear up (me too lol) I think in a couple months or so.
I love the post. Thanks for the uplifting story today. Have a great weekend.
What an honor to be asked. Clearly your clients consider you family.
Sally - you are truly appreciated by your clients, that's evident. But what's more evident is that you have such a deep attachment to people in general. I'm sure that for Kham to ask you to take his place at his wife's graduation ........... that must have taken some serious consideration. Congratulations to Maria - and to you, for being such a wonderful human being.
Hi Sally,
How nice, sure looks like it's a 2-way street with your clients...a mutual admiration. Good for you!
BTW, next Sat. I'm attending a client's b-day party, she was a young wife/mother with a young son when we met decades ago. The party is her 60th b-day, I was invited by her son and daughter who have also become clients over the years. The value of these relationships are truly priceless.
Woo Hoo, We live parallel lives I think. One of my clients daughters is graduating next Sat and the son is graduating the same day at a different university. So the Dad is going to his son' graduation and the Mom is coming here to USD to attend the daughters graduation. The dad asked me if I could attend in his place since I am also friends with the new graduate. I am putting the townhome the dad bought her 4 years ago on the market after graduation.
Our relationships with our clients and the honors like this that keeps us integrated with the family is something only a few get to experience. I guess in many ways it says as much about us as them. Mutual admiration, respect and friendship. It doesn't get any better than that.
Hi Sally,
What an honor to be asked to step in your clients shoes. Having relationships like this is what makes our profession exciting! The basket you made was made of love and I know they certainly appreciated all the thought that went into making it customize just for them. Job well done Sally!!
P.S.: You have just added the music to your blog, haven't you? I like it!
Sally- And Maria is so pretty! What nice looking people and you too for going out of your way to be there for this nice young couple. You are their agent for life:)
Sally, I could not agree more. Last week, I had some clients include me in an email that they sent to their family and closest friends. They had just had their baby girl and they sent photos, baby "stats", and stories about the delivery. To be counted among those privileged enough to receive the communication was a real blessing to me. :)
You are so right. One ofthe great things about this business is the friendships we make. You have always done a wonderful job of giving the personal touch on your transactions.
I would have never thought I would have met so many great people in this business, and I have made some really good friends, that I would have never crossed paths with.
When clients become friends you cheer them on, laugh with them, celebrate their accomplishments and their family's - and sometimes you cry with them. This week I cried FOR them, as I learned that a local two death murder/suicide were clients I'd come to care about.