Pay it Forward - Helping a Senior Find the Perfect Home

Pay it Forward - Helping a Senior Find the Perfect Home

In Real Estate we so often get the chance to help others and pay it forward.

Recently I had a rental walk-in.  He was looking for a unit for his elderly father, in particular in the nearby co-op/condo development of Bon Aire Park.  When Larry told me what his father's needs were, I thought a rental in a neighborhood senior development would be a better choice.  Larry concurred but let me know that they had tried that route and that all the affordable ones had long waiting lists.

I did know of one that had immediate availability and shared the details with Larry.  There were income restrictions and since Larry wasn't sure that his Dad would qualify or that there in fact would be any availability, we proceeded to try and locate a unit in Bon Aire Park. 

His Dad had trouble with steps and needed a first floor unit.   There were no first floor rentals available at the time, but there were several first floor co-ops for sale.   After checking them out, he chose one and was ready to make an offer on it just as soon as he reviewed it all with his Dad.

As luck would have it, his Dad  was not excited about the idea of moving to Bon Aire Park.  Larry armed with the data I'd given him about the rental in the nearby senior development suggested that as an alternative.  That option excited him and needless to say, I lost a sale. 

Since the development does not compensate realtors, I couldn't even collect on a rental commission, but I'd do the same thing again in a minute.  I knew that for Larry's 85 year old Dad this senior residence was the best solution. 

I was sure I had done the right thing when Larry called me recently to share with me how happy his father was in his new home.  I may have lost out on a commission, but the satisfaction gained from paying it forward and helping Larry's Dad find his perfect home, more than made up for it.

The bonus and icing on the cake was that Larry let me know that I'll be his realtor of choice when he begins looking for an investment property later this winter.