Special offer

Paying it forward- for a first time buyer.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

Closing yesterday afternoon- panic call last night. 

When you have a first time home buyer you sometimes get these calls with panic in their voicebecause something has gone wrong.  Well it happened again last night and this morning I started making phone calls.  Fortunately one of them happened to be the RIGHT phone call and the plumber was on his way.  There were two minor repairs and a pressure value had been left open upon re-winterizing.  They have been repaired. 

And because this is a young first time, single home buyer... I'm picking up the tab.  I just made her promise that somewhere down the line she will in return help someone that needs it at a time when they call on her for help.  This buyer purchased a not so expensive home, but she certainly captured my heart.  I think I'll pay her a visit tomorrow and see how things are going.

 

And you buy a house from Lane Realty..... I'll come with that house too.

Posted by

706-485-9668  us on facebook

Tammy@Lake-Sinclair.com

(Click on Lane Realty Logo for web site)

Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner

 

Broker License # 169695  Lane Realty License # H-11420

Real Estate Instructor License # 355089

Call me today for all your Lake Sinclair real estate needs.

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Comments (21)

Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tammy, after all.....the you go with the buyers as a closing gift...lol.

Well, I am sure you can write a book about your 'Pay It Forward' with the type of service you provide to your clients. I just can't imagine.

Quick question - by any chance, are you a member of Buffini and Company coaching?

Apr 15, 2011 02:09 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Not only did you do the right thing by picking up the tab for this overwrought young buyer, she will speak of you as if you wore tights and a superhero cape and your sidekick is the plumber! I know this was not your motivation, think of it as serendipity.

You've also taught her that homes will have issues and need maintenance, none of which need to seem like the end of the world.  She probably already liked you and counted on your advice, but now she sees you as the quintessential professional.

Apr 15, 2011 02:15 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sonja- you know the younger they are the more I feel like I need to do for them too.  So I think it is those mommie hormones.

Praful- I loved this buyer from the start.  And yes... I'm her life long gift.  And nope, no coaching.  You?

Mona- no my motivation was only for her to not be completely overwhelmed her very first day as a home owner.  Bless her heart, she is the sweetest of young women and I care so much about her.

Apr 15, 2011 02:36 PM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Hey thanks for getting this post out to us today.  I enjoyed the read.

 

Patricia/SEacoast NH & ME

Apr 15, 2011 02:41 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

What a nice pay it forward!!  I'm sure that's an expense the new home owner could have done without.  Very kind of you.

Apr 15, 2011 02:43 PM
Sam Trevino
austINside - Austin, TX

Hello Tammy,

This is an awesome story and really shows your professionalism to go above and beyond for your home buyers.

Apr 15, 2011 03:12 PM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Peace of mind means everything to a new buyer; especially a first time buyer...and a young one...she'll remember what you did long after she moves in!

Apr 15, 2011 03:12 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Patricia- glad you enjoyed. 

Carla- I just didn't want/ couldn't  let it happen.... for her to be disappointed on her first day.  I had to fix it.

Sam- I know I'm her broker.  If she sells, if she buys another house, if she has a friend who wants to by a house... I know she trusts me and I'll continue to earn that trust.

Cindy- I told my Donald today that I took in another daughter to raise.  He just smiled and said okay.

Apr 15, 2011 03:39 PM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Tammy ~ that is why you are a success!  You are their closing gift!  I am sure that not only will she remember you, but she will brag about you as well!

Apr 15, 2011 03:53 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Dawn- I just adore her too. 

Apr 15, 2011 04:00 PM
Vickie Slade
Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO
Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Tammy, they will always remember you and be quick to refer you whenever they get the opportunity.  It's agent like you that set the standard for customer service.  Well Done!

Apr 15, 2011 04:55 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Well done Tammy!  You will have a client for life and she will remember your words and pay it forward someday too!  Goosebumps!

Apr 15, 2011 04:58 PM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

I predict a sting of her friends coming your way Tammy. And I don't mean friends needing an emergency plumber.

Apr 15, 2011 05:18 PM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

What a great thing to do for your client and I'm sure she won't forget it and be a client for life! Good for you doing something above and beyond what most Realtors would do!

Apr 15, 2011 05:38 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Vickie- I can't wait to go and see her.... when she is settled.

Mary- I think she will too.  I'm going to try to get her to make me a video.  I just love her spirit. 

Glenn- I'm ready if it happens.

Kristine- The young ones just become like family.

Apr 16, 2011 02:44 AM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate

Tammy - That was very kind of you, to not only arrange it but take care of it.

Apr 16, 2011 11:36 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Steve- I have to take care of my clients... makes me sleep better at night.

Apr 16, 2011 11:46 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

That is the type of service that buyers and sellers both will remember for a very, very long time. I guarantee she will be sending all her friends to you!

Apr 16, 2011 02:21 PM
Vance Booher
Re/Max Select, SRES - Greensburg, PA

Hey Tammy - Just how important is it to listen, to relate, to have empathy for our clients?  Nothing is more important to long-term success.  Paying it forward is not new - it is a modern version of "Do Unto Others...".  But this ancient Christian Commandment has never had more relevance than it does today.

Apr 18, 2011 12:28 AM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Thats why you'll always have life-long clients my friend :o)

 

Apr 18, 2011 03:45 AM