A Good Realtor® will keep in touch with buyers/sellers from first contact and will follow up if they aren't ready or aren't due to relocate for a few months or even up to a couple of years. In the end we are rewarded with a loyal client. After working with a Hawaii Military Relocation buyer for about six months "long distance" and putting in offers for several short sales that went south they finally arrived.
Everything was as if we had known each other and that first meeting was very pleasant. We looked at property according to their criteria and took into consideration the length of time they would be able to stay in the military 'hotel'.
We finally found a home they loved:
- Central Air Conditioning (only a few newer home subdivisions have central air)
- Almost 1500 sq/ft interior (if you know homes in Hawaii ...this is BIG)
- Spacious enough for their furniture in all rooms
- The extra guest bedroom for all the guests that would be coming to visit
- The extra bedroom for another family member that would be coming to live with them
- It was in their price range and the area they wanted (there are few in this price range and sq/ft)
- Corner lot home w/low maintenance yard
- Double car garage with a driveway to park extra autos
And this home had just so much more. It had just fallen out of contract and put back up on the market as a new listing. It was a short sale but they would be replacing our contract with the previous as it would net the same amount. The association docs were only a week old and as soon as the approval came back we would be on our way!
And then the bomb dropped.
They are warned that they need to decide on base housing within two days or lose that option. The contract won't come back approved for up to one week due to the bank needing to issue the approval letter and they are worried that 'anything could happen' within the course of the transaction and then they would not have a place to live. They are going to back out of the contract.
Having a sure place to live surely takes precedence at this moment and......
We think in the best interests of our clients.
Good Realtors® understand that circumstances and situations arise that they have no control over. They felt so bad telling me that they could not take that chance and I assured them I understood. They will continue to look (they are in the unit for 6 months) and they said they will surely come back when they are ready.
I slept well the last couple of nights knowing I did my job well.
Of course they told me so too. :)
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, you've got it absolutely correct. It's all about people and understanding their wants and needs. Congratulations, it will come back to you ten-fold.
Celeste, all I can say is "job well done." The clients interests should always come first.
By, the way, please also follw me on tiwtter. You find me using "vickieslade". Thanks
Hey things happen that can't always be helped so we have to make the best of the situation.
Yes, it will come back to you 100 fold....
Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Sally thats a great story. Sadly, not all agents put the client first. You sure did and your folks will use your services when they are ready.
Sally I am sure that they will remember who all that you did for them and your attitude when it fell apart. I don't have any doubt that they will come back to you when the time is right again.
Leolinda: I've learned that there is nothing in this business that is more rewarding than knowing I did everything in the best interests of my clients. Of course it's an ouch ....we all need to make a living....but in the end....they are secure and stable.
Vickie; That IS the main thing. I rarely go on Twitter but I'll look see..
Patricia: Exactly....there are things that happen and it's all understandable ...that's what we do.....care.
You've gained their loyalty and people do and should always come first - it is a satisfaction of knowing that you did the right thing and understood - that is priceless for both sides and will come back around in the long run.
Hey James...Not all do and hopefully stories we bring them ...such as this ...just may make them think a little more....what this industry is about....
George: I called the MRS. yesterday and we carried on ....I wanted to help them feel at ease ...they are moving in Monday... and about 10 minutes from me....I think I made friends anyway...I like that. :)
Valerie: I truly believe that....what goes around comes around...and it does immediately...in the form of a content gut feeling :)
Working with the military can be an adventure for the agent and the buyer. I have learned to put a contingency in the offer that if the military moves or requires the military member to move into base housing the offer will be withdrawn. Had a military member place an offer after being at a base for 6 months and expected to be at the base for the next 3 years or so, but 2 weeks after placing the offer the military gave the member permanent change of station orders. There was an attempt to keep the earnest money but was given back after the contingency was exercised.
Woohoo, Sounds like you did all you could do. Life has a funny way of happening and spoiling our best laid plans. Good job with not coming back here and writing a "rant" about how your buyers screwed you!!! :) I love your alt tag.
Stuff like that happens all the time..we have to just move on.
Hi Sally - sounds like you did a great job and were true to your client. They will remember that, and you, when it comes time to buy again.
It's a shame so many buyers are backing out these days - no urgency and plenty of fear.
Hi Sally...Doing the right thing is what we must do. That enables us to continue. Otherwise, we would have so much guilt we would have to get away from this business.
You did the only thing you know how to do.
Cheers,
Kate
Sally there are so many Realtors that would have been ticked off and alienated the client because they did not buy. When you always keep your clients best interests at heart you are rewarded eventually.
... oh they'll be back Sally !
Even a small exposure to you would have been enough for them not to consider any other Realtor - when the time is right :o)
Good job - nice when you can sleep well and look at yourself in the mirror and smile huh !
Cheers Sally !
Sheldon
Sally, I'm positive your clients were very appreciative with your honesty although I'm sure you were all disappointed. I have no doubt you'll find them another home they'll love!
Work hard be honest and fair. Its pretty simple really .
You are a professional and make the rest of us look good.
Its so hard to find people with your mentality. Most would be upset at the loss of income. Great job and it will pay!
And referrals will increase your business 10 fold. People recommend people they can trust to keep their interests at the forefront! Good Job Sally
Ron: That is something beyond our control and at this time there are plenty that are being deployed a couple of months after they get here..... this one wasn't accepted....yet...but was well on it's way...but when time limits are an issue for a roof over ones head that's a different story :)
BB: Yeah...too many of those out there for sure....and this IS what I have to do....if I let everything get to me when something fell through I'd have been out of this biz a long time ago.
Hey Neal: Yes we do...and Happy (almost) Birthday!
Kevin/Monica: Well, I believe that as well. :)
Bryan: That wasn't the point but we all have our own opinions.
Kate: I learned early on that there are things that happen...we have no control over the situation so why waste all that energy tripping?
Bill: Believe me...rewards lie within first :)
Sheldon: Yup...I sleep well at night...not so sure about the mirror part in the am though LOL!
Carole: There is no doubt all of us were disappointed.....as always, it's all in the manner of how we handle it :)
Carl: Depends...some may handle it differently. :)
Cindy: We all show our true colors in every situation we cross paths with.
Laura: What good would it do to be upset? I think I'll just keep living :)
Paddy: I hope that's the case :)
Sally, you are very good agent. More though, you; are a good person. Lots of time you can here people say of she's great and he's awesome. We forget that what we need in this world needs is more people like you. A good person.
Carol
Sally- You did the right thing. You sleep well, I love that:)
Funny thing, I remember when I lived in Hawaii every place I lived did NOT have Central A/C. I also never had Central A/C in any place on the mainland until I moved to Florida. You just can not live without it down here. The weather here is so much different than Hawaii.
Sally - You did all you could, but we all know sometimes clients have to back out. They won't forget your empathy and will probably seek your service in the near future.
Sally - That's never any fun, but they really had no choice, huh? I'm sure that this will pay off for you in the long-run.
Sally,
Treating them well throughout the process can only lead to good things for you down the road. I applaud your efforts and the professionalism you displayed throughout the entire process. Take care and happy blogging to you!
Wow, this reminds me how much I take for granted. I keep forgetting how much I take for granted.
You did what I'd expect anyone to do. Am I in for a disappointment.
Thanks for reminding me that not everyone provides the high level of integrity and service that you do. I'll know who to contact when I move to Hawaii!
Thanks Carol...that was nice of you. I think this industry needs to get back to basics... people helping people.
Katerina: I think so too...I have a window unit that I put on during the summer nights...that's about it...
Thanks Jennifer...I presume that I did my job well and not only that ...remembered that we are all human.
Thanks Jason...it happens and it's understandable. Thanks bunches.
Thanks Jason N...appreciate your input....it's the attitude of this professional is what it is all worth..while :)
thanks Andrew....and of course..if you moved here I'd be happy to assist you! :)
It's even harder to do the right thing in this market when we are all working so much harder and enjoying it less, so double congratulations for making the right decision and putting their interests ahead of yours.