I've always done a fair share of relocation work, enjoying much of the process as I help familiarize buyers with our towns on Long Island and the many amenities available to them. One of my favorite families turned out to be a young couple with two small children. I was able to find them a beautiful, custom built seven year old home on a cul de sac that exceeded their needs in every way. They happily settled in to life on Long Island, loving their neighbors and becoming fast friends with some of the parents of their older son.
It was with some surprise that I heard from them a short two years later when the company decided 
to transfer him again. Fortunately for me, even though relo gave them a couple of options for listing that didn't include my office, they asked if they could use me. After working out the details of the relo requirements we put their home back on the market. I was really sad to have them move away. The process was unusual, to say the least. Because the company refused to allow me to price the home where I thought it would sell, forcing me instead to position it squarely in the range of some recent sales even though this home was custom built and unique, it generated more than its fair share of interest.
The first weekend it hit multiple listing I did open houses on Saturday and Sunday, to a land office business. Everyone who walked in the door fell in love. It was hard not to. By Sunday at 5, we had a sealed bid opening of what turned out to be seven offers. As I read them aloud to the sellers, we were delighted with the numbers. Aside from one low ball, they came in at asking price and higher . . . and higher . . . and higher. By the time all was said and done, they had a buyer for the house at over $70,000 over the asking price.
Due to a convoluted series of events, the highest offer ended up $15,000 above it's original accepted offer and the sellers were able to go off to their next home with extra funds to play with at the other end. Because home sales in downstate New York generally take anywhere from 60 to 90 days to close, by the time we approached the close of escrow, they were firmly ensconced in their new home over a thousand miles away.
I had told them not to worry about anything as they hurriedly geared up for the move. I offered to take care of everything that remained. Closing day was looming and the weather outside was freezing, with a coating of snow on the ground. I returned to the property several times over the period of a week to move things out of the garage and to the curb for pick up. Those innocuous bundles in black plastic bags not far from the garage door felt a lot like trying to transport lead balloons. Trying not to slide into the pile as I dragged one thing after the other to the growing inventory of stuff, I kept muttering under my breath that I might be well served next time to think before offering my services in a blanket statement. This was before companies like Got Junk came into the marketplace to fill that need.
My sellers were thrilled with the whole transaction, writing me one of the nicest testimonial letters I've ever received.
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About the author: Geri Sonkin is a Licensed Broker Associate/Stager/Decorator serving Long Island sellers and buyers for over 24 years. Areas of expertise include Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn. Specializing in resales, new construction, co-ops/condos, waterfront homes, estates, short sales, rentals and staging your home to sell for the most money the market will bear. For more information: www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com For new construction: http://2274Woodbine.GreatCustomHome.com516-425-6098 Search all MLS listings and access up to date market statistics at AtHomeOnLongIsland.comAll text and graphics contained herein Copyright © 2010 Geri Sonkin & its licensors. All rights reserved.
If you're considering buying, selling or staging a home on Long Island, I'm here to help. Just give me a call or send me an email.
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Geri Sonkin Long Island Real Estate Expert Home Stager, Decorator |
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