When I am buying up land or assembling parcels for new subdivisions, I come into contact with a lot of different people from all walks of life. I have to take the time to get to know them because I have business to conduct. But as a bonus, there is also an interest there too...a human interest.....
YOU THINK YOU GOT IT HARD....?
I met a older strong woman who was in German concentration camp and then a Russian one once she was liberated. She told of a hard life of survival in the German camps with barely being given enough to eat. In the Russian camps, they worked her every day in the coal mines leaving her exhausted but alive. I was fascinated to say the least.
I had tears when she was talking. It only encouraged her to speak on....When I was getting ready to leave, she shows me all these coal splinters in both her hands that were deeply embedded and had been there for years and years. I wept for her misfortune and hard journey. I barely made it back to my car and wept for two blocks until I found composure.
ME AND MY SON....BECAUSE THERE ISNT ANYONE
I met another woman who had a very hard life. Her husband left her early on and she had to raise kids on her own, pay the mortgage and bills and do it with or without her health or well being....being considered. Her son (overweight) grew up wild and got into a lot of trouble. He was staying at home at the time and just hated people. She did too. It took me months to win her over and for her to open up to me. She was tired of life, of failing, and having no one to help her and for not raising her son correctly of whom she loved very much. In time, I had won the son over and he thanked me for putting up with him and his mom....
WHY WONT PEOPLE ANSWER THEIR DOOR.....?
I came across a mother and daughter who were living alone together. Both worked very hard and shunned contact with everyone. Every time I pressed them for answers or dialog, I got ignored, unanswered notes or memos with no one coming to the door. One day they let me in and we had a long conversation. Apparently they were becoming comfortable with me over the weeks...but I didn't know it. They share that their daughter and son in law were both murdered and that they are raising their kids. They are barely getting by. They have suffered tremendously as it was a bi-racial marriage and the kids were mixed blood. The whole family was always mis-treated wherever they went...I was very moved when I heard the whole story. Over time and many encouragements.....these people came out of their shells. Last time I ran into them, everyone was in a store buying an ice cream...
GRANDMA & GRANDPA RAISING FOUR GRANDCHILDREN
I met another woman trying to raise 4 girls while her daughter was in prison. Her and her husband were doing every type of manual labor to make ends meet. They weren't much to look at or talk to and one day, they invited me inside their home. It was barely furnished and outfitted. On the stove was a big pan of re-fried beans. That was their breakfast and for all I know their whole meal for the day. I ran into them 2 weeks ago and she was happy to see. She said I really helped them out alot and thanked me profusely..
I successfully concluded my Real Estate business with all these people. I made sure that their needs were taken care of as I understood them. My buyer allowed me great latitude in making concessions and in pricing too.
There will always be Real Estate, but in my mind, the things that stick out are and always will be.............. the people
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