Real Estate Blog - I saw the tears in her eyes... running down her face...but they were tears of joy...not sadness.

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I saw the tears in her eyes... running down her face...but they were tears of joy...not sadness.

Last week I went to my office to do some unfinished paperwork.

Sometimes I just like to go into the office....get some things done and also just to say hello to some of my comrades and hear the daily buzz.

So I'm standing at the front desk talking to the office assistants and I look across the room and I see this women holding up a piece of paper with what looked like a copy of a check. I wasn't looking directly at it so I really didn't pay much attention to the amount on it as that wasn't any of my business anyway. Apparently she was very happy and she was expressing her excitement about something so I asked..."may I ask why you're so happy?"My assistant cut in and said....."she's happy because she just closed her first deal!" So I inquired..."is she new?"Apparently she just started in the business 7 months ago and she finally closed her first Real Estate transaction. She was telling me it was a very difficult deal that she thought never was going to close...but in the end.....it did.

She was so happy....I told her that it actually was good to get a difficult one out of the way first because when she closes an easier deal...she'll be even more happy and excited. We discussed the deal a bit and as she was telling me a little about it...she started to cry. I asked her.... "why are you crying?.. You just closed your first deal."She told me that they were not tears of sadness...they were tears of joy. She just was so relieved that the last 7 months all came out and was more relieved than anything. I told her to go out with your family and celebrate!

I told her to keep plugging away and that she was more fortunate then many other new agents are in this day and age with all that's going on in our industry. I said "now just celebrate the success" and to also celebrate how she overcame everything to make it happen.

We now talk when we see each other and I've offered her many of my stories and she was definitely listening because she kept writing down notes.That made "me" feel good as well...that's because I was once there too....I remember a long time ago that there was this other rookie agent that once walked into a Real Estate office during the holidays and said "Hi I just got my license and I want to work here"

That was almost 14 yrs ago...and that rookie agent was me.

For more information please contact Neal The Real Deal Bloom-Realtor® /Keller Williams Properties

1625 N. Commerce Parkway,Suite 105

Weston FL 33326

(954)608-5556

Posted by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL on 08/29/2009 10:08 AM

Comments (85)

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85 Comments on I saw the tears in her eyes... running down her face...but they were tears of joy...not sadness.

AUG

Nice Neal. Good encouragement. We have to help others - because there have been others who helped us!

Dawn,

I can only tell her that if she stays on her current course...she'll still be standing later when things get even better.

What a nice story Neal! You get all mushy some times :) So many don't want to help new agents out and can't remember where they came from.

What a great story! That is one thing I do miss about working in an office; working with and helping new agents. She is lucky to have your support!

We have a new agent in our office and she brings out the dad in me. I love helping her because of the look on her face when she "gets" something. A real joy comes with sharing, hard to describe but you know it, Neal! Kudos!

Neal - What a stirring story....

Sally,

I guess I can be mushy once in a while...but I sometimes get embarrassed:)

Thanks Diane....good to see you.

David,

Well if I think I'm her dad then I'm not happy...it makes me feel too old:)

Thanks Wendy...glad I stirred you up:)

Lovely. This post shows that you have never lost your enthusiasm for what you do daily.

Never get jaded and you'll sell more real estate.

Neal, I still remember the feeling I had when I Closed my first Loan, and it is almost like experiencing it again when when I see the look on newer Loan Officers face as they Close their first. It is an experience that I always look forward to, and I am sure that a lot of those feeling came back to you as well.

Glad to hear that having the first difficult deal is a good way to get it out of the way!!! I too am working towards settlement on my first deal. 5 Offers, 1 Short sale we walked away from after 70 days, a minor issue on an inspection that was made into a BIG ITALIAN MOVIE, and now just lots of prayers being said until the magic date of October 1st.

Congrats on your many successes.

Neal-Great story, I would encourage her to join active rain where she can share her story about her first sale.

That is a great story and while times are tough right now, if we can survive in this market, we will be able to survive through anything!

I remmber how frustrating the first few years can be in this business. She will always remember your encouragement and kindness

What a great story!!! Thanks for sharing it with us all. I love a little mush!!!

Thanks Lenn,

George,

It was for me because I thought mine wasn't going to close at the last minute...but yes it can be remembered.

Kim,

The first deal is probably the hardest one in most cases especially no a days.

Hey Joe,

Thanks for stopping by:)

Emily,

That's what I'm saying...if you can survive this then you'll flourish when times get better.

Maureen,

I try to remember when times were tough for me.

Thanks Carol

Neal,

Great story! The topic for my sales meeting this Tuesday is "Remember." I want all the agents to remember when they were so excited because they took a sales call. And so excited to get to show a buyer some houses. And that first closing! That first check!

I think all brokers and sales managers should remind their agents of that initial enthusiasm.

Neal you're a real team player and she's lucky to have such a kind -hearted guy (who know's his stuff) to support her success and share his knowledge. Way to go - lovely story for a Saturday evening! Thanks :)

Julie,

Good topic for a meeting. It's hard right noe for people to always get excited like it use to be but I just try to use all my energy so its funny to see people just starting out and remembering that I was there too.

Anna,

Funny thing is I never met her until that day.

What a great story. I don't know how many people could stay at it for seven months without a check. Tenacity and hard work will pay off for her. Her tears of joy are well deserved.

Neal, very touching story and very sweet that you took the time to listen to her and give her encouragement. It's the thoughtful things people do that stay with you for many years. You could have easily have said "Congrats" and walked away. Good going!!

I hope she gets many more of those checks! It sure is nice working with new agents because they have the enthusiasm and they remind us how lucky we are to be in this business!

Nice story, thanks for sharing.

Great story - thanks for sharing with us!

I didn't have quite the same story with my first check--my manager congratulated me then said...."so when are you getting your next check?"

Good or bad, hard to say but I rose to the challenge,however I think I would've preferred your ear and support!

Thanks everyone for reading it...I'm glad to share it.

Neal,

That was very touching. I think a lot of agents will be crying tears of joy this year when they close their next deal as they may have been through a long dry spell.

Neal, we all need encouragement and that you remember how you got some and how it made you feel is great.

Neal...

You always remember your fist deal ... on mine their was a fight over a black-velvet Elvis painting! No joke, there really was, and that was back in 1984!

What a moving story. It's important to reflect on one's successes and challenges, as it serves to reinforce and motivate.

How nice of you to be there for her first deal and then to support her after. Kind deeds never go unnoticed. Thanks for the great story.

Neal, I'm not in the business that long that I don't remember what it felt like closing that first deal. I still appreciate the help and encouragement from other more experienced agents in my office. I'm sure she welcomed your encouragement and your sharing of her success.

Hi Everyone,

I'm back for a bit...I'm glad you enjoyed the story...just another story I've experienced....I really just happen to walk into the office at the time it happened. So I guess you could say I was in the moment when I saw her talking about it so I was glad to throw some positive encouragement back.

Hi Neal,

You know I've heard of others who've worked that long for a closing.

Another REALTOR is a local office mentioned to me that 2 agents (in his office) working as a team closed their first transaction after being in the biz almost a year. Gotta give-em credit for hanging in there that long.

Neal, your affirmation of the new agent is very impressive! Closing one's first deal is both overwhelming and validating. Some folks would have ignored the new agent's sheer delight with her initial success. Others would have secretly mocked her. But you chose to offer encouragement and support. Way to go!

Neal, that was good, encouraging that new agent on her first closing. I remember mine's two years ago, almost to the day. I also remember my first expired appointment and listing...they are things that you just don't forget, and having positive reinforcement helps you hang in there when the going gets tough.

Happy tears are a good thing....We have them all he time with short sales....and loving to celebrate any success...of any and every agent !

Neal, So good to see the freshness in a new agent with enthusiam. My listing was sold by a new agent and it is her first transaction. My plans are to make it as perfect as possible..teaching while doing the right thing for my seller every step of the way. And her appreciation is making this deal a pleasure!

Happy story Neal, you are right...,happier than many new agents these days!

AUG

Neal, your story illustrates the false stereotype by too many in the public that Realtors just sit back and rake in the money.

Yes, definitely need to stick together and support each other.

It's not easy right now at all in order to get paid.

Neal I can't wait to close my first transaction! Great story. Thank You.

Thanks for sharing this success story. That first one is always special. Her expressons of appreciation means she is enthused and cares which means she will be getting many more checks in her career.

Lets hope her next deal is a little smoother... and not quite so long... and we all have kinder, gentler transactions in the next few months!

Great Story, thanks for sharing. Brought back memories, I remember my first one like it was yesterday.

That has to be the best commission check you will ever get. ..your first one. . .great post!

Oh, the first deal. I don't even want to go back there. I remember saying "I never want to be that stressed out again."

It's great that she had someone so supportive to share it with. She won't forget it either.

Neal, Thanks for sharing this story with everyone here on AR. It made me remember my 1st. one that was on a acre of land and my check was really small but I was the happiest agent in the office that day!

Wow so I woke up to even more comments...kind of like old times on AR. Haven't had as much time to blog so when I do I try to find an interesting story to write about. Since I've run out of things to say to everyone ...I thought I would incorporate my first closing experience that I had.

Back in the mid 90's in NY when I decided I wanted to be in this business....I called this office and they returned my call. Invited me to interview. While I was talking to the broker who I still talk to on occasion..actually she sold that office and retired....she told me it would take time...just go look at all the inventory to get used to seeing different properties. In the mean time I was very intimidated because everyone in that office was already a broker and established. It took me about 5 months before I was scheduled to close on my first property..I think it was for about 400K...not a bad first deal...the problem was I was dealing with a buyer who had to sell their other home first so I had to wait.

All kinds of problems went on during the transaction and about a week before the scheduled closing I went into Manhattan and stopped in a computer store to look at a new computer. Back then I didn't have money for one so I said I would buy one with my first check...back then they were even more money than now. I picked one out and had it put away for me. When I walked out of the store my phone rang...it was my office letting me know that the deal might die because they did a new title search and found a 250K lien on the property that wasn't there before...I started to get really nervous so I went back in the store and cancelled the order. Well in the end they straightened out the lien and it was released.

Then I go to the walk through all excited and they had repairs that weren't finished by the seller and the buyer was ready to walk..I needed the broker to come with me to the closing just in case. In the end it closed! It took a long time of patience but I got paid and was pretty happy to celebrate. In the meantime I had two more deals in the hopper and the rest is history....in 1999 I moved to FL...started all over getting re-licensed and finding a company to take me...struggled again but finally got my business running....all this while I took a part time selling cappuccinos and scrubbing toilets and swallowing my pride.... thankfully I'm still standing here today

Every time we close a transaction we have to hope SOMEONE besides us is happy about it.

My firstr commission check was in January 1990 and it was $450. I still remeber that the amount was of no consequence, it was the emotion behind it. I knew that I was going to be okay in this business and now almost 20 years later I have never looked back, except to remember very important moments like that one.

Neal,

It just reminds me when you start a business all the hopes you have for the business, and you find that some things are just harder then you thought and some things easier, and of course that dreaded unexpected. When you happen to be successful and you start making money I definitely can understand the emotion.

I love the story of agents encouraging other agents. I am a big advocate of utilizing mentors in the business. I am sure your words of "keep going and celebrate the win" meant a lot to the new agent.

Neal - what a great story. I can only imagine what your unsolicited caring and concern, and words of encouragement must have meant to her.

Jeff

Boy that made me think of my first deal too. All bad a co-op of all things and afterwards I got to help redo everything in it. So I was the Project Manager. It was a challenging position and it was gratifying to finish. Congratulations on the new agent who looks to be a good one. Good advice!

So cool Neal! The new agent enthusiasm is contagious if us old timers take the time to listen. Your story made me smile big!

Great reminder to keep plugging away!

Neal - I can still remember my first deal and commission check! Feels like it was yesterday. It took me almost 6 months from the day I started to close that first one! I worked at a brokerage when the encouragement and support was pretty non-existent and I was left to fend for myself as a new agent doing a transaction with a really seasoned top producing agent in another company. She was a joy to work and I'll never forget her.

It would have been awesome to have someone like you in my own office to share the joy! :)

With all the twists and turns of our market and the challenges it presents - I STILL feel like a rookie and cry tears of joy whenever I close a deal. Right now closing any financed deal is an accomplishment and the reward is a very happy (but worn out buyer and agent)!

Closing a difficult deal is very rewarding & can cause alot of emotion. closing your first deal ever is such an awesome feeling!

Neal - what a great story and I am sure that it meant the world to that new agent. I think it is so important to support each other along the way, and that is something here that I have found on AR. Congrats on the feature!

That is a great story, it's nice that there are still agents out there that take the time to mentor the newbies, as well as to take the time to enjoy and celebrate their successes with them too!

Neal...

Don't mind me. I'm just going around practicing my new discovery :)

TLW...ROAR!

It's always nice to see someone react positively in true appreciation of an accomplishment such as this. We all had a "first", & probably needed help with it, so it's good to give back, also.

What a great story Neal. As I was reading it I was literally imaging walking into my own office and seeing this unfold. I got in to real estate in 2004 – I was tired of working in the world of corporate architecture and being on the road 80% of my time. I just wanted more control of my life! I remember those early days. Every agent we hired had just got their license, so every office meeting was a training meeting. And they were all finding ways to make transactions happen. We have evolved with the market since then but I still enjoy bringing in new agents because there is so much energy. Thanks again for the inspiring story.

Nice of you to take the time to offer that new agent some encouragement. Many other agents might have ignored her.

My first deal was a referral. There was big argument over the title insurance. The lawyer walked in and put the listing broker in his place because all paperwork had been signed and he was 2 minutes to late. The lawyer walked us out of the conference room to another room. He told me I could take my commission check and turn it in to the office when it funds. He said the listing agent was gonna have to come back and get hers because of the outburst. This was our preferred attorney. So it pays to know the attorneys you use. He gave me a bottle of wine which I still have. I don't drink.

Neal, good support and good story. The new agents that make it through this will be great agents in the future. If they make money now there's no way they won't be able to figure out how to make money when the good times roll.

....and I bet that Rookie had tears of joy too at some point in his career! :-))

Thanks Neal; I needed that. I have been licensed for ten months and have yet to close my first transaction. I have not given up instead I have sped up. Real Estate is not something you do it is something you learn. I hope someday (soon) to be the agent whose name comes to mind because I've taken the time to learn the trade. Your encouragement was what I needed to hear and it did bring tears to my eyes.

Brad, Gee...now you have me shedding a tear thinking about it:)

I started out doing loans before I move to real estate. I remember I was at it 5 months then closed 3 in 2 weeks. It felt great.

It feels good to know that our industry has people like yourself that will reach out to others. I was luck to have that too and its the reason why I never gave up. It's hard in the beginning but easy to forget where it all started from

It is nice to hear a story about someone that is doing what they love and able to make a living at it as well. It seems that so many agents come and go, it is also good to see people with some years in the business.

I think everyone has that one person that helped them when they got started. My mentor took me under her wing for no particular reason....especially since she destested new agents. I am forever indebted to her.

Hi Neal. That's awesome... and inspiring.

AUG

Great post Neal. I know how she feels. I closed almost two weeks ago on my first deal and it was a tough one. It was such a relief to get it closed! Thanks for sharing.

I'm back...well I never thought this story would inspire many people. I wrote it more as to the happiness I felt and I know she feels the same...I didn't even tell her I wrote it.

Way to pay it forward Neal. I am always happy to help a rookie agent too.

Nice story and good going little bro! Nice feature too! xxoo

Our office doesn't have a formal training program so we help each other.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

SEP

Nice story Neal. We ALL were rookies once and no matter from whence we came, first job, corporate world, wherever or whatever walk of life, it can still be daunting to walk into a new job/career. My first real estate job was pretty much my first "real" job as I was a stay at home mom. I sat myself down at my desk and asked the agent sitting next to me what I was supposed to put in my file drawers. I had no idea how to run a business, let alone my own business. Thankfully, even though there was no formal mentoring program in our office, every agent that worked there was sooo helpful and I tagged along on every showing, closing, trip to the registry, town hall, open house, listing appt. etc that I could. I helped the other agents by offering to running errands (put up signs, etc), whatever I could do as a thank you and they were all there to help me and cheer me on when I needed it. I no longer work for the same local board as I started with in 1989, but many of those same agents are still in the business and I am grateful for their patience and helpfulness more than they will ever know (I have thanked many over the years as I still see many of them on committees and at REALTOR functions).

SEP

I think we all remember getting out first check. i had my husband take my picture and we dressed up and went out to Red Lobster where we splurged on of course, lobster. The most expensive one they sold! We don't splurge a lot nowadays, since we have other important things we're spending our money on, but that will always be a tears of joy moment for me also!

SEP

I hope this person is working on their next few deals. I'll have to check in with them next Time I'm in the office.

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