The satisfaction of helping others.

I often find myself listing Short Sale properties due to, I believe, my nature of wanting to help others, especially if they also want to help themselves! Yesterday I closed my eight short sale transaction of the year. My business partner says I'm nuts - I find it very rewarding.

This transaction in particular was very difficult. It was a referral from a Title Company that knows my work in the short sale realm...It was October and the foreclosure sale date was set to December 5th - they said they would understand if I did not want to do it, but within 24 hours the property was on the market. Many showings, due to pricing below market in a nice area BUT with too much new home inventory. Oh well... I can do it!

Few offers later (all requesting closing costs - although clear on MLS - No offers with closing costs, please!) we started to think it would never happen and then: Mr. Buyer, who was relocating to Dallas  and Mr. Seller happened to meet through a mutual friend while Mr. and Mrs. Buyer where visiting the area - even though he wanted to live near work, Mr. buyer decided to purchase this home even though he would have to face a daily 50 minute commute (in low-traffic conditions) to lend a hand to the seller, who had been laid off from work three months earlier. The buyer was "paying it forward" because two years earlier he had been on the same situation.

This became an interesting transaction being a short sale/relocation/intermediary.

Everyone gave a little and received a little in the process: the loss mitigation department had to approve the sale and the numbers where not adding up - it was implied that Mr. Seller did not have to honor the listing agreement if he wanted to sell at a lower price. Fortunately both the seller and buyer stood up for me. FHA Short sales offer incentives for participating on the sale and the seller declined to receive his incentive to "make it happen"; In return the seller received a significantly reduced commission to help "make it happen".  A relocation company contacted us requesting referral fees, and we agreed, even though the buyer came directly through the seller - you guessed - to "make it happen". The buyer had to have his employer cut through the relocation company's red tape, and I had to request an extension to close one day after the foreclosure date!

But, what did I obtain after closing this transaction and all other short sales for that matter? Gratitude, tears, bear hugs, two very happy families in my circle and above all - the satisfaction of helping others... and nothing beats that!