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Holding Your OWN Hand When Buying or Selling a Home

By
Real Estate Agent with Boardman Realty Minnesota License#90858
Well over a decade ago, I was on a weekend shopping excursion with my family. Just as we were about to step off the curb into the busy parking lot of the local Target, I attempted to take the hand of my precocious son when he announced to my husband and I, “I can hold my own hand!” And being obstinate and still in that "terrible two" stage, he did.

He put one chubby little fist inside the other behind his back and attempted to step off the curb and into traffic. And like the mama lion I was, I stopped him by the scruff of his neck...well actually, the collar of his jacket.

Realizing his need for independence, we explained to our child the danger of his actions. (Hey Bud...A driver of a car cannot see a tiny person out their windows as they back up their cars.) We compromised. He was allowed to hold his own hand everywhere we went except busy parking lots and when crossing the street. Then he would be required to hold mommy or daddy’s hand or hang on to his brother's stroller for his own safety.

Holding your own hand is good in life but there are times when one must rely on a professional to help them through a new or difficult situation. As a real estate agent, I realize most clients want to “hold their own hand” through a transaction for the most part. They do it with the knowledge that when they will need to “step off the curb”,  I am by their side  ready to explain and guide them through every step of the process. Whether it is a question from a home seller about getting their home ready for the first showing or a first time home buyer wondering whether a townhome or single family home would be a better investment, I am there ready to educate and assist.  


A good REALTOR® knows it is important for the client to make the decisions—it is our job to guide and educate our clients through the home buying or selling process.

Are you ready to step off the curb and need a good REALTOR® by your side?
Posted by

Teri Eckholm. REALTOR with Boardman Realty, is a native Minnesotan who has lived and worked in the Minneapolis St Paul metro all of her life. She specializes in lakeshore homes, acreage properties and first time home buyers but assists anyone making a move in the north and east Twin Cities metro.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give Teri , a call or visit her website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report She specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2019 terieckholm.com

 

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Comments (17)

Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Excellent post.  Love your analogy.  We do have to guide and not "tell" our clients what to do.  Bravo!

Jul 19, 2012 07:17 AM
Dawn Maloney
RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH
330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio

Beautiful example of independence yet how good guidance can save our lives.

Jul 19, 2012 07:34 AM
Jay Taylor
Cre8tive Apps, LLC - Austin, TX

Nice blog.  I know when I bought my house, our realtor was invaluable.  She helped us understand the process, what to expect, guided us through the negotiation process, etc.

It makes the buying process so much better when you have an ally by your side, helping you make an informed decision.  I think we must have really worn her out though with all the houses we looked at.  It was tough because we were relocating from San Jose California to Austin TX and only had a week per trip to look at homes so a lot of homes were viewed each day.

 

Jul 19, 2012 11:32 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Teri, Congrats on the Feature. That was quite a transition and a very good one at that. " Holding you own hand" , I will always remember that. Well done. How are you BTW, hope life is being good to you. Always, William
Jul 19, 2012 11:38 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Teri: Clients invariably want to "hold their own hand" just because they don't want to seem clueless. My mantra, when I need to make a point, is to say "as your broker I am obligated to tell you such and such...". And they always listen. Note: Obligated by whom?  By me! But they never ask that question.

Jul 19, 2012 11:54 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

A very good post. I think this comment really hits the nail on the head

A good REALTOR® knows it is important for the client to make the decisions

 

Jul 19, 2012 12:11 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Teri,

 "I am there ready to educate and assist.

A good REALTOR® knows it is important for the client to make the decisions—it is our job to guide and educate our clients through the home buying or selling process."
...so very well said my friend!

Jul 19, 2012 12:15 PM
Lisa Hickling
Brampton, ON
A very just analogy. Independence is good but guidance is invaluable.
Jul 19, 2012 12:27 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Great ideas and thoughts!

It is so important to remember that we don't SELL homes we facilitate Buuyers' decisions! As you say -
A good REALTOR® knows it is important for the client to make the decisions—it is our job to guide and educate our clients through the home buying or selling process.

Have a happy day -
Lynn

 

Jul 19, 2012 01:07 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant
Love the analogy.... And the cute pic of your son! Quite often I have buyers ask me what they should do about [pick a topic] and it so important that we outline all the different options so they can make the decision that's right for them.
Jul 19, 2012 03:41 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Teri - I like this analogy and have explained to my little one numerous times that hands must be held in the parking lots or on streets.

Jul 19, 2012 04:59 PM
Doug Bullwinkel
E Mortgage Capital, Inc. NMLS 1416824 - Roseville, CA
Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS #281609

Sometimes it's nice just to have another hand to hang on to and I'm not even two years old.  Kids have no fear and no sense of danger when they're out and about.  That's why they need mom and dad.

Jul 19, 2012 08:00 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Terri this is a nice anology for the Real Estate game. I hope you are doing well and having a great year!

Jul 19, 2012 10:00 PM
Ann Nguyen
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe Truckee Homes For Sale
I love the title and content of this post...also reminds me those terrible two years. Now I recall those times with fondness since my baby just turned 18 this month.
Jul 20, 2012 12:48 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Terri what a great analogy for real estate.  Clients do need to know their agents are their to 'hold their hand' and guide them through a transaction with care, skill and expertise.  Great post!

Jul 20, 2012 03:10 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Teri, great analogy and so true! That is such a cute story from your son. That spirit of independence starts pretty early, doesn't it?

Jul 20, 2012 04:16 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Hi ALL! Thanks for all of the very nice comments. As it has seemed to go this summer, every time I get a featured post, I am incredibly busy so I don't have time to respond to each of you individually.

I do have to make one note though...that cute little 3 year old who was on his way to his first day of preschool in the photo, is now 20 and in a few weeks will be heading back to college for his senior year. For anyone who wonders...yes he still is a bit head strong and wants to hold his own hand!

Jul 20, 2012 05:48 AM