Balancing time is a crucial part of of a professionals' life and keeping that balance takes hard work and effort. We take leaps, bounds and long strides to do our best in thinking in the best interests of our clients.

All of us go through stressful situations. The bottom line is "No matter what it is all in the manner of how I handle the situation".

This is how the last week has gone for me:

•  Client's arrived on July 17 from Bonita Springs, Florida and I have showing appointments for the next day 18th, and we view 10 properties.
• July 20-Set more showing appointments and fellow agent shows them properties and they meet me back at the office and we put in an offer.
• The offer is countered three times and we finally get into contract on July 24. We open escrow and I run around getting Association and Condo Docs from the other agent.
• Signing at escrow for other client Mr. "W"
• July 26th-Home Inspection. Client's backed out right then and there from that unit.
• They want to go back and look at the other townhouse with the garage and on the golf course. Call listing agent and whew....go right from the one townhouse to the other. They put in a full price offer.
• July 27th-Accepted contract and again schedule a home inspection. Great. He's available.
• July 28th (today): Needs a few repairs...nothing major. Whew!

After the home inspector had finished and I was having the client's sign for receipt of the Association documents he stops and looks at me and says, "Sally, I just want you to know that I really appreciate you working hard for me while we've been here. And I just want you to know that I have noticed the little things you do." He then mentioned that it's not all about sales and that I really made them feel like it was a nice journey and not just a sale. (can't remember those exact words although the basic meaning is there)

I just about cried. It was hard to show people property who are from Florida where they have seen a decline in the market and convince them it is not the case here.  After we crossed that obstacle we were in a situation of the other home "looking real bad" from the first time they saw it. Now they are happy.

Between all the happenings of this transaction and Mr. "W's transaction I worked in the office all week (and was able to arrange with my broker to leave at certain times to accomodate these clients) because the other admin lady is on vacation in Ireland!  I'm tired.

They are on their way to the airport as I am writing this. Funny, I got "attached" ....again.  The daughter is actually my client. She is in Iraq and coincidentally knows my other client John and they have crossed paths as well over there. My "Clients are dad and sister".

 She'll be home soon to a wonderful townhouse.

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate 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 Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com