I feel like I have to go through it every couple of years to really put myself back into that crazy emotional state of being a buyer or seller!
I have been both a buyer and a seller and own multiple pieces of property. I consider myself to be a reasonable person most of the time (although a bit of a control freak), but I turn into an absolute crazy woman when I am in escrow or have my own house on the market! I hate the uncertainty of not having control over EVERYTHING!!! The last time I moved and ended up homeless for about nine hours on Christmas Eve and the back to back closing I had scheduled for us went fairly smooth. This experience helped me to realize again how emotional this time can be for my clients and helped me to be more sensitive when it came to helping them.
Recently, I had a wonderful client who I really adored as a person test my sensitivity meter again. He was also a self admitted control freak like myself, but had limited information regarding real estate transactions on top of it. I was able to really understand what he was going through and helped give him information so he knew what was happening at every corner. I spoke with him or emailed him at least six times a day and he would also IM me with Google Talk on a regular basis. It was trying, but we both got through it and fortunately for me the transaction went smoothly.
I think as Realtors, we should really go through the process of moving once in a while to try to remember just how emotional this time is! Putting myself in my client's place really helps me be mindful when it gets tougher!
Courtney Cooper ....For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Associate Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County - Experienced and with a background in accounting - I love my clients and work hard for them!
Courtney~ move every two years! you must be a glutton for punishment! I'm thinking every 10 years would be good. You are so right, we need to remind ourselves how stressful a move is.. I can easily recall how stressed out I was having our home on the market with 3 small kids. I try to be sensitive to the needs of people with kids or health issues. Thanks for a thoughtful post.