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HELPING OUT PAST CLIENTS WHO ARE DISPLACED DUE TO ROOF FRACTURES CAUSED BY SNOW

By
Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

HELPING OUT PAST CLIENTS WHO ARE DISPLACED DUE TO ROOF FRACTURES CAUSED BY SNOW.  We've all been watching the news the last few weeks and have seen how many roofs have collapsed in Connecticut.  There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by where the media isn't reporting about one.

This morning I woke up to the news that two apartment/condo buildings in a complex here in Cromwell, CT were evacuated in the early morning hours today (4:30/5:00 am) due to structural fractures in the main support beams. 

On the third floor people were woken up by a loud bang.  They called 911 and soon after the fire department arrived they we all told they had to leave.  I'm not sure how many people were involved, but this affects 144 condo units.  These people are now at the gym at the town hall, or at near by hotels. 

My heart sank when I heard the news.  As a Realtor, over the years I've had clients who have bought or rent units in this complex.  For the next few hours I called everyone of my past clients that live there.  I wanted to check to make sure they were ok, and if they needed anything.  It was hard to track them down, but thank goodness for cell phones.  One of my past clients has a family of 5, she was one of the lucky ones.  She is staying in a one bedroom hotel in town.  Others are fortunate and have family they are able to stay with.  None of my clients are at the gym, but still this is devastating. 

This tragedy is sending me in a tail spin.   If ever this were to happen to me, I'd hope that there would be someone to assist my family.  So, with this, I've opened the doors to my home and I've invited everyone of my clients who live in this complex over for dinner tonight, and again tomorrow.  I've rounded up some sleeping bags for some of the older children to stay with me too if they wish.  My sons will have a good time playing with them if they do. 

I just hope for everyone this has touched at Cromwell Gardens, that the problem will be rectified quickly.

If anyone you know needs your help, would you take them in... would you give them a helping hand?  I hope so.

UPDATE:  Everyone is getting word that they will be able to go back into their homes later on this afternoon/evening.  Yesterday, I noticed they were clearing off the roofs... maybe this will help with the weight on the beams for now.. and they will address the issue further come Spring.

With this, I'm NOT having everyone over for dinner... INSTEAD, I am sending everyone home with a care package.  If I were in their shoes, the last thing I would be thinking about is cooking.  At least one meal they don't have to worry about.

 

FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT 

 

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas.  Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.  

For real estate.. all you need to know, is VALERIEO  

If you're thinking about buying a home in Cromwell CT area, there are plenty of great buys in today's market.  There is no better time than now to take advantage of these homes while interest rates remain at an all time low.  For more information on Cromwell CT real estate's homes and/or condos please visit Johnson Real Estate to access the newest listings.

 Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.883.8889 cell - ValerieOhomes4u@gmail.com

 Copyright © 2011 - By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - All rights reserved...... *** HELPING OUT PAST CLIENTS WHO ARE DISPLACED DUE TO ROOF FRACTURES CAUSED BY SNOW***

Posted by

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR
(Accredited Buyers Representative)

Is a Full Time Realtor® with with Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell, CT who specializes in Homes and Condos For Sale in the Middlesex and Hartford Counties in CT.

VALERIE OSTERHOUDT REALTOR IN CROMWELL CT

valerie osterhoudt

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR ~Johnson Real Estate, Inc.
cell:  860.883.8889

email: Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR

website: www.CTrealtorMLS.com

 

Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Valerie:

Here's yet another reason why we are all sick of snow.

Great job in assisting a previous client.

Feb 04, 2011 02:29 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Wow, you are an absolute angel and I am sure your clients are very appreciative of your efforts;  they may not be able to express that right now, but they will never forget your kindness.  Kudos to you!  And, yes, absolutely, I would have them at my house, too. 

Feb 04, 2011 02:53 PM
Carla Morin
Brookfield - Peoria, AZ

Great way to treat your clients. I'm sure they appreciate your concern so much!  I'm glad we don't have to worry about that here in Peoria, AZ!

Feb 04, 2011 03:23 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

That is so sad to hear, but so glad that you are able to help out.  I'm sure they really appreciate it.

Feb 04, 2011 10:59 PM
Kathy Kenney
Keller Williams, Princeton, NJ - Robbinsville, NJ
Realtor - Princeton & Central NJ Homes for Sale

Kudos to you for helping out families in need.  I'm sure they all appreciated it.  And yes, I would do the same, and in fact have, giving a family a place to stay for free during their relocation from another State, until they could close on their new home.  We all have to work together, especially in these hard times!

Feb 05, 2011 12:01 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Well done, Valerie and you with your own issues right now as well. This is paying it out every which way, Forward, Back, Sideways. Just don't strain yourself doing so much good that you wan't be able to work.

Feb 05, 2011 02:24 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Vicki.. These are people that I know, that I've worked with and have been in touch with.  They become a part of a family.  I don't feel anyone would leave a family member out in the cold.

Feb 05, 2011 03:16 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Barbara.. Last night, when they got here, you could see the stress on their faces.  I'm sure they were glad they came (which they mentioned a few times) but you could see their minds were somewhere else.  Which is fully understandable.

Feb 05, 2011 03:17 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Barb... The numbers were the easy part.  I have files on everyone... hard copy once a transaction is completed.  Plus I have them in my computer.  It is whether they are current, or is they changed the number that it became a problem.

Feb 05, 2011 03:19 AM
Don Hintz
2D-enterprises / HAUS Design, LLC - Anderson, IN

Valerie,

What an awesome invitation!  With the weather the way it has been, not only reach out to past clients, but remember friends, neighbors, the elderly and spouses of veterans.

Here in Indiana, the ice we received has made even getting out the front door a challenge.  My hands are so sore from chopping ice for not only our front porch and sidewalk, but a few of our neighbors who can't and shouldn't be out on this ice.

A great reminder as well, to always keep our client database up to date and current.

Feb 05, 2011 03:29 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

George... I'm not sure where eveyone is.  If you want to call me on my cell about the family you know there, please feel free to do so.

Feb 05, 2011 03:56 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Toula.. Guess what?  I'm still not sick of the snow.  You would think I would be, but I love the stuff.  We just need to readjust, and realize that going forward we might have winters like this... and we'll need to plan for them.

Hey, people are looking for work... why not call around and see about being hired by companies that do remove snow from roofs.  I can tell you this... THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CREW TO GO AROUND.

Feb 05, 2011 04:24 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Susan.. I'm chuckling to myself.  When I wrote that part about "wondering if you would do the same thing", I had you in mind.  Why, I knew you would.  I could tell this by all the blogs your have written in the past.  If you go out of your way to make cookies for dogs... I knew you would also help their masters. :)

Feb 05, 2011 04:29 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Carla.. I hope you never do.  With the change in the jet streams and the south east is getting weather they never had, I would take some precautions now and just make sure you have your ducks in a row.

Feb 05, 2011 07:12 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Debbie.. I'm sure they did appreciate it.  It is just that they have so much on their minds, I don't think they could truly relax.  I can't blame them either.

Feb 05, 2011 07:13 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Katherine..  Kudos back to you too.  That is a very nice gesture to have your clients stay with you while they waited for their home to close.  You have a good soul too.

Feb 05, 2011 07:15 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Ed.. I was totally drained by the end of the evening.  With two boys staying over too, it was not the restful evening I was looking forward to the day before. 

I'm glad I could help... but I'm completely exhausted today, and not doing much other than putting meals together.

Feb 05, 2011 07:17 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Don.. That is a wonderful gesture you are doing by helping seniors, veterans, neighbors, etc with shoveling for them.  Kudos, right back to you for a job well done.

You are right, we all need to work together... maybe this is what this winter is all about.

Feb 05, 2011 07:22 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Valerie, I read Kenneth Cole's post on his 3 picks...which you were one. I wanted to stop by your blog and say "hello".  Reading this post, I can see why Ken selected you...as you are indeed a kind and sweet person...and this post certainly proves it.

Mar 25, 2011 11:32 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Rebecca.. Thank you.  I'll have to check out Kenneth Cole's post/blog.  How long ago did he blog about his 3 Picks?  Thanks for the heads up.

Mar 26, 2011 10:44 AM