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123 Easy Street

There's many different ways that buyers and agents remember specific properties.

A few days ago I wrote about the scrumpdelicious aroma of a freshly baked cake in a property that I showed. On both occasions that I showed the home, the seller had a freshly baked cake setting on the kitchen stove for dinner dessert. I believe that the seller removed the cake from the oven in the morning and set it unto the stove to cool. The entire home permeated with the aroma of the cake. Besides that, the seller had all of the lights in the home on. I was tempted to turn them off but didn't in respect for the next possible agent.

Earlier this week, I met a prospective buyer from Texas at my office. That morning I showed the buyer five properties in Sun City Grand and five in Sun City West. The buyer left for a lunch, then went shopping in Scottsdale. That afternoon I had two back-to-back listing appointments.

After a full day, I returned to my office to research additional properties for my Texas buyer to see the following day. I checked my office mailbox and found a hand written note that was dropped off instead of being mailed.

The envelope was embossed with one alphabet, as with the inside note. It was the kind of stationary that you would send when mail was not snail mail as it is today. The note was written by the seller of one of the properties that I showed to my Texas buyer earlier that morning.

The seller wrote, Dear Leolinda, Thank you for showing my home this morning. Sincerely...... 123 Easy Street. The longhand penmanship was perfect! Plain and simple, yet elegant and uplifting. I felt like a queen. Someone actually took the time to write the note and drive it to my office.

Perhaps courtesy is passe, but respect and appreciation will always triumph. Will I remember that property on 123 Easy Street? You betcha! Did I show the note to the Texas buyer? Sure Did!

Recent Blog Posts:
A Realtor's Greatest Compliment
LIGHTS ARE ON, NOBODY'S HOME
Make a Difference Day We Care
Home for Sale in Sun City Grand with Tropical Oasis Backyard
Introducing PREVISITE Virtual Tours
411 VOICE RECOGNITION FROM GOOGLE

If you looking to buy a home or sell a home in Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona, please contact me or visit my website at http://LEOLINDA.COM. To search homes for sale in Sun City Grand real estate and homes for sale including Foreclosures and Short Salesgo to http:LEOLINDA.com.

Search Sun City Grand Floor plans that fit your lifestyle or check out recent home sales in Sun City Grand.

See other golf course retirement communities including Sun City West, Sun Village, Arizona Traditions, Westbrook Village, Trilogy at Vistancia, Pebble Creek and Sun City Festival at http://LEOLINDA.com.

Sun City Grand ~ I live here, I work here, I know this community!

LEOLINDA BOWERS
ASSOCIATE BROKER
KEN MEADE REALTY
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© 2009 Leolinda Bowers (Arizona Retirement Communities, Sun City West & Sun City Grand Real Estate). Unless otherwise noted, the content, both pictures and written, is the property of Leolinda Bowers. Reproduction in part or whole without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Posted by Sun City Grand Real Estate Surprise AZ Leolinda Bowers PLLC, Associate Broker on 10/25/2009 10:09 PM

Comments (87)

how to sell your home, courtesy respect appreciation, leolinda bowers

Originally posted at: Sun City Grand Real Estate & Arizona Retirement Communities: 123 Easy Street

Post is included in group: CUSTOMER SERVICE
Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor

87 Comments on 123 Easy Street

OCT

Hi Leolinda,

Seems like the act of appreciation has become a lost art, especially something like this. But sorry to say, guess I'm a little guilty of it myself. I always seem to say I'll be writing more personal notes, but somehow I don't make it a priority. Thanks for the valuable reminder.

Hello LeoLinda, I really enjoyed reading this posts! Thanks for sharing. How did you do your signature?

Lynda, I get lost in the day and forget also. This seller obviously knows how to market the property and is definitely courteous.

Esther go to http://www.mylivesignature.com/ Good luck!

Hi Leolinda, Bet your buyers will remember that house for a long time too. You will probably be the one to sell it, who knows someday you may even get a piece of cake.

Now THAT is a house that you and the buyers will remember. What a great idea!

Bonnie, I'll take it home to Woody. :-)

Margaret, I thought so too!

Beautiful! Don't you love courteous people? Shows the sincerity of a person doesn't it?

Hi Leolinda -- It restores my faith that can sometimes be hard to muster in this industry. I always return requests for feedback promptly, and even if the LA or seller doesn't like the actual feedback, I try to be honest and tactful. I always call if I am running outside the allot window to show a seller's home so there are no surprises. All these little things can make a difference, and your post is very heart warming.

OCT

Sally, it sure does. Classy!

Chris, I agree. It's all about courteousness, honesty and sincerity.

That was a great pick me up I am sure. Nice job!

What a great idea! The sellers are doing the right things for sure. thanks for sharing.

Jean Richer
Otawa, ON

Good reminders on writing thank you notes. Some time ago, it was suggested to me to get a whole stack of thank you notes, write my return address on them, and then mail them out like crazy. Thanks for sparking that memory, and motivating me to head out to the local stationery store.

It's unusual to see the old fashioned courtesy in today's hectic world. But, it's effective as it makes you remember that person and their home.

Leolinda,

Someone actually took the time to write the note and drive it to my office. I know that made you feel special, and I'll bet the writer of the note won't be easily forgotten!

Mike in Tucson

Leolinda It's moments like this that make a very busy day rewarding Karen

Like it...that's a good read w my coffee.

Verlyn

Leolinda,

A true handwritten note is very effective.

A computer generated "handwritten note" , which are quite popular these days is not.

Brian

Leolinda - I'm guessing this note was from the Cake Sellers.....what a wonderful thing that they "get it", and what a bonus they've got awesome manners to boot! It's definitely going to put that house top of mind in your searches.....fingers crossed that you're the one to sell it!

All nice acts that just make everybodies job so much nicer.

Leolinda:

Small, but significant things like that can really stay in someones mind and make a stand-out impression.

Leolinda! That is a fabulous story. Can only imagine how you felt receiving that note. Smart lady, bet you have told a lot of agents in your area as well and she will benefit from additional showings! Great idea!

It's frequently the little things in life that have the biggest impact...a simple hello...I am thinking of you...or in your case, a thank you. In our crazy frantic world, sometimes we need to sit back a little and take "note" (both literally and figuritively here) on something so small and yet so genuine....Don't you just want to get to know that seller even better now???

How smart was your Seller? That small gesture was brilliant, it accomplished what no technology could by way of imbedding the Seller and her property in your head, you will now no doubt focus your attention to getting that house sold. Very smart!

Thanks for a nice story first thing in the morning. And food for thought as well.

Wow, Leolinda, that is so neat! For the seller to take the time -- it shows that they really CARE about their home, about you taking your time to SHOW that home...and that they want to SELL that home! COOL!

Good morning Leolinda...

Loved reading this, this morning. Reminds me that sometimes the simple,thoughtful things are the most effective..and only take a minute to do.

Maybe I need to ask my sellers to stock up on cake mixes AND thank you notes? Great ideas!

That seller could/should write a book that we could share with ALL sellers. It is always a joy when I can get my sellers to understand what it takes to make their house stand out in this market. And the HWN thanking you was indeed pretty special.

Jill

Great gesture from a smart seller...

Great idea, I am going to suggest to my agents that they suggest this to their sellers. In today's market it would definitely help the home seller's home stand out. Thanks for sharing.

Very informative blog post. Thanks for the information. I am sure it will be useful to me down the road.

I think that in this age of instant technology a lot of the common curtsey's of yesteryear have been lost.

Dave, I for sure felt honored.

Jean, who would have thought?

Ray, go for it!

Gabe, I'll remember two homes for sure.

Mike, yep, I felt very special.

Karen, have a great day full of smiles!

Verlyn, hope it's Kona coffee.

Brian, the key to this note is that it was hand delivered.

Coleen, two different sellers, both of whom left positive impressions on my clients and myself.

Cindy, exactly! It says that the sellers will be easy to work with.

Leolinda, I read this and just said out loud - Wow! We need more people like this in our world! Thanks for sharing.

Claudette, although most are retired, some people have physical disabilities that make gestures like this even more appreciated.

Al and Peggy, I'm keeping the note for my idea book.

Penny, for sure!

Mercedes, it's just a "Touch of Class" eh.

Robert, hope it stimulates your marketing techniques.

Little gestures like that do seem to have gone by the wayside. The perfect handwriting is something I don't see very often either. We're all too keyboard centric.

Marney, shows that they are motivated to sell and not just testing the market.

Linda, the cake made the entire home smell glorious! It was so tempting even for myself who does not like sweets.

Jill, yes.

Ben, smart seller and smart listing agent.

Gail, let me know the outcome and you are welcomed.

Wow this is great. Sure beats the thank you emails you get.

Aaron, I hope that it helps.

Damon, you may be correct.

Kathleen, they put smiles on our faces.

Colleen, it shows that possibly not everyone are computer literate too.

Roch, it was plain and simple to the point. Elegant yet simplistic with sincerity.

How considerate. I bet that seller is nice to work with and pretty smart to bake a cake and make their property seem homey and inviting.

In 20 years I have gotten handwritten thank you notes after a sale, but never from a seller during the process. I want one of those and I mean a seller I am listing the house for..

Sounds like a very motivated seller. I have had sellers call me in the past but no one has ever dropped me off a note. The sellers will remember you also if their listing expires and may again give you a call.

Sometimes we think we can set aside subjective factors that will make no difference once the home is sold (The smell of cake), but I do not think we can. Those things help a lot.

Very nice. Unfortunately giving thanks seems such a rarity these days! Sometimes makes me question the business that I'm in and then just in the nick of time, a nice human being comes along and puts everything back into perspective! Nice to read about your pleasant experience :)

What a great story Leolinda. I have never heard of a seller doing this. You can tell they want you to remember their home. This was very nice of them to hand deliver you the note.

This seller sounds like a delightful and gracious client who knows exactly how to get the most out of her listed home and her realtor. It speaks of the thought - what we give is what comes back to us. Who wouldn't want to give back to a person like this.

123 Easy Street....a rare cookie indeed.

Doesn't this just make you feel good! I recently received a beautiful "Thank You" card from a wonderful couple, pink and brimming over with flowers, to thank me for spending the afternoon with them looking for a potential retirement home. They said how much they appreciated my efforts in showing them exactly what they had asked to see and the time I spent in research and preparation! I felt like I was on cloud 9 for a while since I always provide the best service I can give but seldom have the delightful acknowledgment that this card represented! Makes me want to do better about saying "Thank You" for extra service for which I'm on the receiving end!

Donna Dastic, Realtor GRI, ABR, CSP Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors Deland, FL

I really enjoyed this one Leolinda, thanks for sharing it ~ brad

that was nice of the client you don't get too much of that now a days

What a SMART and NICE lady!

Leolinda:

That would have made my day too!!! It's always nice to know that some people appreciate the job that we do. I bet you show that house again!!! I would

That would have floored me. What a neat idea to make a home memorable.

I think that was very nice indeed. Now, I'm not trying to be funny: But you made up the address, right? I only ask, because I remember seeing an "Easy Street" somewhere in Arizona. I think it might have been Cave Creek though.

Wow. How nice is that. I would not expect the sellers to take the time to do this for all showings, but maybe it was easier for some reason, or maybe they weren't getting a lot of showings. In any event, such a nice gesture. And that is what matters. Most sellers probably expect us to write them a thank you note. I sometimes do write in the back of the business card, especially when the home has been really set up for a showing.

Leolinda - Wow, what a great seller! I too would remember that house.

Nice touch. It's very refreshing to hear that some people are just genuinely nice people, such as this seller. It reminds me of a foreclosed property that I visited last year - one of the kids of the previous owners left a note scribbled on the wall - "I hope that you take good care of this house, because we luved (sp) it"

The handwritten note is such a lost art...but one I try to practice. I try to send handwritten follow up notes when I meet people for the first time. I think it goes along way in them remembering me. That said, I've fallen behind on that, and the company is not ordering any more note cards, so I will be on my own to find or make new ones!

Great post!

Wow! There is so much about that story, I love... the nostalgia for the hand written note, the courtesy to tell you you are appreciated - something forgotten these days all too often. Thanks for the inspiration.

It's amazing what a little personal touch will do!

Hi Leolinda. That's pretty special. I bet that home has many warm memories.

Leolinda, you've had so many positive comments that I wasn't going to post a comment, however, I wanted to at least say how impressed I am with the seller. That was very special and courteous.

Just as a side note; I had a friend who bought a house at 123 Easy Street!

Very enjoyable post Leolinda! I love when I go into a house where the sellers have presented it well. What a difference it makes to the buyers too. They definitely think about a house like that.

DeeDee

Thanks for sharing... was it Chocolate?

How awesome is that, Leolinda. Congratulations! It appears you made as much of an impression on them as they did on you.

What a great reminder of some of the wonderful things that get lost in today's hustle and bustle.

OCT

That's a pretty slick marketing technique I'm going to do that.

Thank you notes do seem to be a lost courtesy - but oh what a difference they make!

I first read about using them in real estate in a Tommy Hopkins book - he recommended sending a note to thank buyers for going out with you, to thank sellers for letting you view their home, and to thank everyone who gives you service - like the car mechanic or the girl who gave you a perfect haircut.

People WILL remember you kindly when you've taken the time to write a simple note.

OCT

Wow Leolinda. That is a very high level of service. Nice.

Hi Leolinda ( What a pretty name ! ) We hear so many stories where something goes wrong or feels slighted. Thanks for a great " feel good " story.

Leolinda: I've never heard of such a thing, but I agree, what a lovely thing to do.

OCT

What a thoughtful seller! Does she bring you cake too? So nice to see some good old fashioned courtesy once in a while.

NOV

Hello Leolinda and I am so sorry I missed this post and what a wonderful post about Customer Service! I want to keep this post alive with a feature at one of my favorite groups at AR .............

CUSTOMER SERVICE

VB ;o)

Robert, thank you for your kind words. I've been so busy I haven't had time to answer all comments.

Colleen, I showed it again this week and yes, there was a cake on the stove.

Joe, I too want that type of seller.

Jackie, neither I.

Gene, I agree and it creates a memorable experience for all.

Cynthia, it's manners that are no longer practiced.

Roland yep. This is a motivated seller with lots of class!

Barb, a little note yes, but hand delivered speaks volumes.

Debra, I like that.

Donna, it made me feel appreciated.

Brad, thank you for stopping by.

Gene, gracious gestures should be rekindled by people who work with people.

Nancy, I think so too.

Carol, and I have.

Cheryl, it almost did floor me.

Michael and Karen, what do you think, maybe I should disclose the correct address so that everyone in the valley will try to sell this home?

Irja, Don't you think that the notes should be written by both parties?

Michelle, makes me think that the seller will be easy to work with.

Weichert, that's the type of notes that I like my sellers to leave for the new owner.

Thom, sad because since we no longer regularly use longhand, the quality of our penmanship has tremendously diminished.

Amy, any time. Stop by again.

Ryan, it's the little things that count a whole lot.

Tigard, you are probably correct.

Nick, that is a cool address. If I had it, I would never move again.

Dee Dee, it's as though the seller has staged the home in my mind and that of my buyer

Charles, I don't believe that it was.

Heather, maybe I did but the seller made a greater impression on me.

Christine, that is so true.

Mike, go for it and let me know how it works.

Marte, I save all of my thank you notes. They are great to read after a stressful day.

Mark, it was the Nordstrom or Mercedes customer service level.

Bill, thank you.

Carrie and Kathy, it sets the seller a step above others.

Georgina, yes, it feels good too.

NOV

I've never heard of this one before. Sounds kind of odd a seller would do this, but it is sweet. But if it's not priced right and doesn't meet the need of the buyer, it still won't sell. but if it's neck-to-neck with another property it may win out.