Special offer

Accepting Gifts from your Sellers

By
Real Estate Agent with EWM

Recently, I took a listing to sell a two bedroom condo in Hallandale Beach, Florida for an old lady who was moving to a retirement home. She told me she was no longer feeling safe living by herself and that she thought someone has entered her home and stolen some of the jewelry her late husband had given her. I listed the property and I sold it within one month. One day, the old lady called me and asked me to visit her. She was giving away some of her belongings and wanted to give me a present. I told her that was very nice of her but I just could not accept but I agreed to help her pack some. While I was packing her china I found a black jewelry box hidden behind the plates. There they were all the jewelry she thought someone has stolen from her!

As she was watching TV, I went closer to her and handled the box. She was dumbfounded! She gave me the most wonderful gift: she acknowledged that my services as a realtor were going beyond selling her home, that I gave her support and hope. I have to thank her for such a wonderful experience.

Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
Adriana- what a great job you did, not only in selling her home for her, but in declining a gift that a confused person might later wonder about.  Very smart, to be careful with elderly clients- they need our help, but more than that, they need our compassion and integrity- thanks for the post!
Jun 13, 2007 01:56 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
What an awesome story Adriana. Thanks you so much for sharing it.
Jun 13, 2007 01:58 AM
William Benzel
Semonin Realtors - Louisville, KY
What a great story! This is why we do what we do! She is sure to send you referals too!
Jun 13, 2007 01:59 AM
Robert Walker
Remax - Buford, GA
Wow!! What a great story, and a happy ending!!
Jun 13, 2007 02:29 AM
R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham
Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC
Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

I once had a listing that had a huge antique pool table in the basement.  The seller didn't want to have to mess with moving it and I had a friend who was looking for a pool table and I mentioned it to the lady.  She told me that if they would come and get it, that they could have it.  I told them and they came and got it.

Several weeks later I get a nasty letter from the lady accusing me of stealing her pool table.  I called her to ask her what was the matter and she started screaming at me about all kinds of non sense.  It turns out that she had mental issues and apparently hadn't been taking her medicine.  

I don't know if my hooking my friend's up with the pool table was a service for the seller or not, but I wish that I hadn't gotten involved in the long run.

 

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. 

Jun 13, 2007 02:41 AM
Robert Whitelaw
Whitelaw & Sons Real Estate Services - Morgan Hill, CA
Broker, CEO, Realtor , ePro
Keeping your integrity is the greatest payoff there is. But it sounds like you already knew that!
Jun 13, 2007 02:48 AM
Debi Braulik
www.roundrealestate.com - Maple Valley, WA
Selling Maple Valley to Fife WA Homes For Sale
Adriana- Beautiful story. I'm glad you found her jewelery. I can only imagine the look on her face.  She sounds like a lovely woman. And so do you!
Jun 13, 2007 03:52 AM
Jay Beckingham
Christensen Financial Mortgage - Port St Lucie, FL
Seniors ROCK!

maybe you could think of a better way to describe the client than an old lady.

something more sensitive. 

Jun 13, 2007 04:24 AM
Randi Rapp
Randi Rapp - Aventura, FL
Adriana... the client was surely lucky to have you as her agent! I know she kew it and I do too because I work with you on a daily basis and your integrity surpasses the norm! Glad we are on the same team!

Jay- We could call her an elderly customer or a senior Adriana's first language is spanish so its lost in translation!!!!!!! You are right though doesn't sound too good! :)
Jul 02, 2007 12:52 PM
Rhonda Hay Rawlins
Glastonbury Home Staging - Glastonbury, CT
very sweet story. You could only hope that someone would be so kind and respectful if were our mother or grandmother! I do think most people are good at heart, thanks, Rhonda
Jul 02, 2007 01:00 PM