I met the the Mr. and Mrs. from a floor call about three years ago. Actually, I was busy on the phone when my broker answered the phone and as soon as I got off I could hear him saying, "Just a minute". He put the phone on hold and looked down as me from the second floor and said, "Hey, Sally. Why don't you take this call. I think these are going to be high maintenance people".
I got on the phone and talked to the Mrs. for a few minutes, asked if they were working with a realtor (nope), asked if they had spoken to a lender (yes...already pre-approved with so and so etc.). and proceeded to get some information so i could email them some listings. She said they would be "high maintenance and needed someone who would be patient with them. She also said that her husband had such a hectic work schedule that that weekend they would just run around to a couple of Open Houses.
On Monday morning, the Mrs. called me and said that they saw a home they REALLY wanted and could I make an appointment so we could see it alone without all the hustle and bustle of an Open House. We went that afternoon and OMG! It was a fixer upper with termite damage! The carpet was the original orange shag carpet and the upstairs bathroom floor was termite eaten and needed repair. Well, we put in an offer under asking and it was accepted.
During the transaction I met the "family" on occasion when I went to their house to sign papers, drop off doc's etc. Come to find out they had three biological children, two others that were adopted and two others who were foster children and in the process of adoption. Okay, that made seven children. And my goodness, the Mrs. home schooled them and they all were polite, had their chores and the older ones helped with the little ones. (the youngest was two weeks old when I first met all the children)
Well, everything went through fine! The family was happy to have a large home, four bedrooms, make the family room into another bedroom, and a huge master bedroom that had a huge walk in closet with a window...which became the two week old girl's bedroom. It fit them perfectly and they knew exactly what they were going to do with the home!
I kept in touch (usually by phone, email and holiday cards) and last July the Mrs. walked into the office (what a coincidence I was there!) She said they were getting their home ready to put on the market and had to move back to the mainland because one of the girls had to have heart surgery. Oh, geez. They had already upgraded the majority and were doing the final touches within the next month and would be ready to list the home. She made me promise not to drive by until she said it was done. 
Well, the day came around and my goodness! They had done a whole creative process on this home! It was beautiful inside and out! We listed it and we had no trouble selling. They kept the house in showing condition and here's the real kicker! They now had 10...yes, TEN children and all 7 (not biological) had been adopted. No matter what the day or time they were always willing to leave to let the people feel comfortable to view the property. During this whole process I became VERY close to this family. They even snuck around asking when my birthday was and surprised me with a birthday present!
The day before the house recorded was the last day that I would see them. I went to the home to retrieve the keys and give them a gift card (where they were going would have the same department store I thought....and they would be able to get the kid's warm jackets). I walked in and all the children got up from what they were doing and all stood quietly while i talked to Mr. and Mrs. I hugged them then turned to the children. I opened my arms and each and every one of those children came pouring into my arms one by one. I started sobbing and the older son (biological) started tearing himself! I had NEVER been so emotional with client's like this before!
These client's were special. The Mr. and Mrs. were such angels and the little ones were little angels as well. Ten children. All well behaved. All had their own little chores. All pitched in. And I sure love them. And we still do keep in contact. The little one didn't have to have heart surgery after all, they bought a huge home with a huge yard and they were happy. So am I.
Add in: Forgot to add in the flowers they gave me! (yeah, I took a picture...not often a client gives a token of their appreciation!
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, what a beautiful post. One of the reasons I love being in real estate is meeting awesome people. I have a very cute couple I'm working with now who have 3 great little ones and our time together is almost over since their house sold and they're moving into their new home at the end of the month. We've made friends and it has been a privilege to help them with the process of getting a new home.
When you find an awesome family it makes up for the ones who are not so nice.
Thanks for sharing...it was very nice to read.
Thanks for sharing and kudos to you. Helping people is what I love about real estate. It's especially nice when you're appreciated. Hope everything goes well for their family.
Linda: I was wondering what I was going to write about and it sure didn't take long to figure out. It may not be weird, strange or anything lik that but it sure came from my heart. Beautiful family.
Leo: Sure is...more often than not I seem to really get the "high maintenance" ones and this one made all the difference in the world...twice!
Paula: Same for me...I worker for a residential program and a family law attorney. After many years I figured out that I was not taking care of me so I could "take care" of others....Now it's the other way around...you know that saying, "If I don't love myself, how can I love others"?
Steph: Hmm....they found me.Ha!
Hey Sally, I love your profile. How do you add links without putting the actual website on your profile? I noticed the word is in blue, but you can click on it and it takes you someplace else. Sorry, kinda new to AR! Thanks!!!
Sally,
Very nice story. This is no surprise coming from you. Your clients are Lucky to have had you to guide them!
Thanks for sharing,
Lucky :)
The linking worked! Thanks Sally, I appreciate it!!
Lucky: Thank you for coming by! I'm glad you liked it and thank you for the compliment!
Pete: Glad to help....Not too many Hawaii people get on here beside Randy and I ...keep plugging away and reap the benefits. I have gotten a lead, Randy has gotten into contract with a lead from someone who read his blogs. So there are benefits....I've tried to get a few LO's to join but they claim they are too busy. Well, you know what? I'm not too busy to market myself as well as sharing with AR members from all over the country.
What a wonderful experience for you. Those folks are very special, indeed.
Sally - what a wonderful heart-warming story you shared in this post. Clients and families like that are so precious and what a joy to have the privilege to work with folks like that.
Congratulations to you - for clients and friends like that, and for your gold star on this post!
Ann
Going backwards here so I can start answering.
Virginia: Hey, I had me in tears!
Thesa: Thanks....it's wonderful to have a good story to tell! Makes all the "bad" ones worthwhile!
Lysa: Me too.
Steph: Thanks!
Lisa: Emailed them the story...I also made a virtual tour Mother's Day show.
Ann: Thanks! They are to me as I am to them....great people...and not often client's such as these come along who allow you to be part of the family!
Diane: A rarity!
Sarah: Believe it or not...I love the way you write also....and seemingly would be the same with people, animals and the world!
Randy: Yeah...I know...haha!
Laurie: Thanks for comment...thanks for dropping by!
Okay, have to admit, I teared up with this one!
Nice post!
Sally,
It's uplifting to read about customers like this. You must've done something right to earn their respect.
Esko: Being attentive to their needs...and being upfront from the start!
Suzanne: Thanks! We can only hope!
Sally-
It sounds like you had a fantastic experience!
Those people were lucky to be working with you.
Seriously - if the children were that well behaved, the Parents should write a book! All too often we see Parents who can't raise 1 Child but 10?!?! THAT'S fantastic.
Sally - what a wonderful, heartwarming story. It makes all that we do so worthwhile. They were specail people to you, but you were clearly special to them as well. Sounds like a lifelong friendship. Perhaps you will get to the mainland and be able to visit. And you will be ale to help them by referring them on to others here, should they decide to move along at some point as the kids grow up.
Well done!
Jeff
Randy: I sent them the link for this story and she emailed back saying she was tearing up! I also sent her a Mother's Day (real estate show) live card....from beginning to end...with pics of kids on mainland that she emailed me at the end of the show....
What a specail family! I know that sometimes we work with clients whom we would normally never associate with, but then there are times, as in this instance, when you meet really wonderful people that will probably remain in your life for a very long time--how great is that!