It was about this time last year that I realized that what I do really makes a difference. 

It started out as a basic property time call with a couple wanted to see a house. So, like any Realtor who likes to eat and sleep under a roof, I called the showing company and made an appointment to see the house later that afternoon.  Upon arrival a met a lovely  young couple with their two darling little boys ages 3 and 5. I new right away it was love a first sight.  They were sure they would be writing a contract, but they needed to contact his mom in New York as she would be assisting them with the purchase.  Later that evening, wife called to say they wanted to make an offer and she needed to give me some background history. Great I thought,  this is where I hear about the bankruptcy and goodness knows what else. Well, I was wrong.  This is where I heard that mom was offering to purchase the house because they had been spending all of their money on medical bills because wife, who is in her twenties, by the way, has stage four breast cancer. Wow, how do you respond to that. Obviously, I said, "Oh my gosh, I so sorry."

The next day we met I my office to write up the contract, sign the papers, and pray for a house and a miracle. The sellers countered my clients and my clients couldn't afford to go any higher. But, they were willing to take the house as is no repairs. So, I countered again with the offer of as is no repairs, same price.  I also told the listing agent (with my client's permission) why they had to get the house. I was hoping he would share with his client and guilt him into accepting the offer. I don't know if the client was informed, but the offer was accepted.

We did repairs and everything was acceptable. Mom was approved for the 1st loan and waiting on approval for the second loan.  We waited and waited and waited and waited. The clock was ticking fast. I requested an extension for the loan approval.  The seller agreed and the next day he also accepted a back  up offer.  NO MORE EXTENSIONS would forthcoming.  So here we are sweating bullets and still waiting for this tiny little loan to be approved. As the days ticked off I'm calling everyone at the bank trying to get REAL ANSWERS. I enlisted the help of the listing agent. He also started calling the bank. Next, the escrow officer began calling the bank.  We were done the the 11th hour when the bank's VP decide it was in the bank's best interest to roll in the full loan and shelve it.  At 6:30 pm central time, I call "mom" to tell her we needed her to fly in to sign the papers. 

The next day we waited 3 hours at the closing table for the documents to be prepared. We joyfully waited for those papers. Those papers meant that this young family that had suffered so much, were finally getting a house to call home--their home.  I have never been more proud to be a Realtor as I was that day knowing that I truly made a difference in a family's life.