What's that saying that when one door closes another opens? I firmly believe that no matter what kind of situation or circumstance the bottom line for a positive outcome will always be because of "ALL IN THE MANNER OF HOW I HANDLED IT".
After working so hard on getting every contingency met and getting ready to close the buyers backed out last week. My hard work and effort and my seller's heart and soul firmly set in getting all the details done for his move and then the bomb drops. There was no solid answer why and from the beginning of that "mess" I chose to just accept it and move on.
I can't make anyone tell me why.
Easy for me to say and do when my sellers life was turned upside down right? Wrong. I have always been one to get a little emotionally involved with my clients. Why? Because it's the personal touch and caring that make each transaction just a little more special and rewarding. It's the caring that goes into each and every client that brings heartache or joy and puts me in the class of "being human".
In this case I really had to be strong for the both of us and immediately put it back up on the market and within hours started receiving calls. I have to keep going even when things looked bleak. It can only change around if we put forth the effort.
Within that cooling down period ......I showed property to my buyers (different clients) for a couple of days and we got our contract accepted this morning. A beautiful family buying their first home and eyes sparkling with high hopes that everything will work out just fine.
There are ups and downs and all arounds; joyous cries and tears of sorrow.
Mystery, doubt and fear; for we know not what life will bring us tomorrow.
Rewarding beyond a doubt; It's caring and going above and beyond
A fine line between caring or not; Of losing that common bond.
Of Being Human.
Most Realtors® have the ability to change like a chameleon at every situation, circumstance and turn. There are NO two transactions ever alike and we learn from each and every one.
When one door closes another opens. It's the gift of positive energy.
Will you look through the cracks?
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.
All rights reserved.
Sally - so true, and an admiriable way to handle adversity. Too bad things did not work out this time but I bet that will change. Best of luck on all counts.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff...just doesn't pay to waste energy on things beyond my control. It's not to say I back down...but back away from negativity.
Sally, I've been facing that question all day long - but in a different context - it's about a guy.
And I had the exact same thing happen to one of my listings! Yikes! I'm sure it happened for a reason, but it's escaped me so far!
Sally The ultimate for me was a closing that was scheduled and everyone showed up but the buyers. They never called or answered their phone after that day. Very weird.
Sally, Having a heart of compassion is never wrong. You may not be able to get the why's answered and all the rest of the stuff but always remember, people may not always remember what you said or what you did but they'll remember how you made them feel. Best wishes!
Sally,
It happened to me when I sold RE in NY...no reason...they didn't even have the b-lls to call me to tell me why...I found out from the lawyers office secretary was how low they were...you just have to move on in those instances. Sometimes people do peculiar things.
Hi Sally...The best in our profession never let a door shut on them. They may close a few willingly but that is different.
So glad everything worked out so well.
Did you write the poem? If so, I enjoyed it very much.
Kate
Sally even though it was a little stressful it looks like it all worked out in the end. Let's hope for a speedy closing.
George: Two different transactions but hey....one closed ...one opened and let's hope another one opens up for my seller too!
Kate: Working out all around I'm sure.....Yes, my words, my poem :)
Neal: No kidding...otherwise, we'd be all....in another biz :)
Sally, you attitude shines through. I like you hate it when things happen and especially when you can't figure out why. The best advice is to get back in the saddle, like you have done. I'm sure it will work out this time.
Sara: And if I bought into the stress and let down with harsh emotions I'm sure I'd be remembered for that as well :)
Best: How can anyone do that to people without regard to the lives they're disrupting?
Patricia: Wow...a guy and a client...hmmm....guess it could work all ways.
Missy: No matter what...it all works out in the end if we don't fight what happened but fight for what can happen :)
If a situation cannot be changed and one has done all possible to make it work it is out of our hands and moving forward is the only option left. That is the difference between those who succeed and those who fail.
Sally - I'm glad things are looking better for you. It's such a let down for all involved when it falls apart right at closing. That bites. Good for you getting back in the saddle!
Sally - It's that positive attitude, make it happen, get it done that will open that next door - It seems the hardest deals are the ones that come back and bite us -
Hi Sally
When one door closes what happens next will be a choice based on our attitude.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Sally, I believe that there is a Karma in life as long as we keep our eyes and our attitudes open to see its existence.
Sally- Your question, "When one door closes, do you keep it shut" is intriguing. I am sure it was rhetorical, but still I have a desire to answer itanyway, LOL :) Yep, the thinking part of my brain....but instead I will look at the duckies in your picture....very cute. One is going in one direction, and the other in an opposite one...sort of like your doors. The Mommy Duck is there to guide them, and bring them back together....so in the long run it doesn't matter which door as they both have opportunities. That's what the ducklings say to me :)
Cameron: Exactly....and staying stuck is not my idea of success. :)
Linda: Thanks...no matter what ...it's all in the manner of how each individual handles it :)
Steve: The bite is bad sometimes...true...but moving on can only make it better :)
Sally - First time buyers are always so exciting to work with!
I had buyers back out after three solid weeks of working through the issues. I was flabergasted! I worked my fanny off ... jumped thriugh several hoops ... and did my best to solve the problems and make them happy. In the end, they just walked! OUCH! I honstly don't know what I could have done differently! My husband/partner was shocked! Sometimes it happens and I think we just don't know ... Yet! The answer is probably still out there and we may or may not ever know.
I am with you on this one! You have the right attitude and keep those doors opening!
Woo Hoo, The way I heard that saying was : "When God Closes a Door, He Always Opens a Window."
Congratulations on gettting this resold. I know it must have heartbreaking to lose the Buyer the first time. It is always a stressful issue when something like this happens. But if anyone can get the job done it is you. And as for being strong for both, That is also one of your qualities that comes from knowing that you are always sincere in your concern. You bring credit to the industry , your brokerage and yourself with your sincerity and the friendships you build.
I am Always proud to be able to call you My Friend.
Hi Sally,
Glad to hear you're (you and your seller) are back under contract again. I said this a little earlier, I've always remembered we're in the people business, period. It's hard not to get involved when someone is impacted like this.
Real Estate can be just one up and down after the other. I try to let it get to me. It used to a long time ago. Good to hear things worked out for you Sally.
Real estate is definitely a series of ups and downs. You are obviously an agent that cares very much about your clients (they are not a transaction to you!), but sometimes, there's nothing you can do but simply move on.
Hi Sally,
I went through a similar situation this past summer, it's heartbreaking to watch someone's life turned upside down. Staying strong and moving forward is the only way to stay focused on getting the job done, congrats on getting a new contract. :)
Hi Sally,
Events like these can be disheartening, but we have to pull up our socks, so to speak and move on. All things happen for a reason, so I have been told. Some days the reasoning is difficult to see through the smoke we let off.
Never shut a door.... this week I had one property bring 2 offers. Offer 1 was horrible (price way low). Offer 2 very good! Almost list price.
Seller accepted offer 1, but before sigs were made the buyer withdrew. Turmoil in her personal life and she apologized but couldn't go through with it. Sellers understood and counteroffered #1.
But while #1 was considering, buyer 2 had time to think things through. She asked for another day to go over things with her husband--which seller granted. Her life is upside down and sellers were understanding & gracious even. I think we're going to get this done, with buyer #2, but if we had closed the door it would not be happening.
Sally, What a beautiful post---and saying. I'm sorry for you and your clients but you did a fabulous job in the way you handled it. I's sure they will remember that always.
Carole: New contract...different clients...still working on the listing though. :) If not for how we handle each and every situation is what determines how succesful our businesses are right?
Erika: We all sure have some stories to tell...and in this regard it helps the consumer know exactly what we go through. Life changes for sure.
Hal: That "haze" keeps some stuck I believe....and in this case the seller needed to go through the feelings and decide how to proceed.
Kelly: Sometimes it's hard for other people to understand why we have to keep moving on. (I think this pertains to personal and social situations as well) I refuse to waste so much energy on things I cannot control. I give my suggestions and advice and that's all I can do.
Bill: The closed door I'm working on opening again and the other door is wide open with a new contract with a new client. It's good.
Lynda: Did I word it wrong? NOT in contract with the seller. I'm in contract with another client ...a buyer with another property.
William: Not resold. The first scenario is the closed door with my listing (buyer backed out) and the second is new clients (buyers...) who put in a contract on another property. If I could have sold them the listing I would have. They needed a bigger place for a bigger family.
In any event...I really do try and keep a professional attitude even though inside my heart is breaking right along with the seller and the anger felt when the buyer had no regard for turning someones life upside down.
On the other hand...my buyers are ecstatic with the home they put a contract in on....with a big yard and room for the new addition to their growing family.
Joan: Yup...gotta keep moving on....staying stuck means staying stagnant. And this goes for whatever I'm doing in my life.
Lisa: Yup..when representing buyers we always seem to take it a little personal. How could we not? I really am flabergasted that people have so little disregard for others though.
Barbara: I love it! They are the nicest people and are surely excited and appreciative. That's a fact.
Kathy: WoooHoooo! You got it. (finally got around to answering all these :) Now...with opportunities abound....there must be room for keeping an open mind to get through all the closed doors with no keys....find the key and open them all up! Yup...that's what the ducklings are saying to you, me and many others :)
Richard: And so the reason we do not wish bad on others...no matter what happens. It all takes care of itself. Just as we hand out good and it comes back...to be vindictive is buying into it and for sure...hand out bad stuff and we'll get that back as well.
Lou: Wonderful! It is a choice what kind of thinking we have to produce that attitude. :)
Sometimes we don't recognize what appears to be a bad situation as a possible good thing waiting around the corner. Maybe there is something better on the horizon for everyone.
Sally,
It really is in the way you handle it, and you handled it well. I have a consistent response when a door shuts. That response is "What's next?" Keep on going.
Mike in Tucson
It really is amazing how things do work out. In addition to another door opening when one closes, I also believe you - I - (anyone) need to clear out things to make room for the new to come in. Decluttering life so to speak!
I love this post. It sums things up nicely. Positive energy will win eventually. Great job Sally