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The "Sweet Old Lady" Story

By
Managing Real Estate Broker


Two  years ago Rich was contacted by a homeowner in Massapequa in response to our quarterly market report asking him if he would come to her home and talk to her about putting it on the market.

Of course he said he would be happy to meet with her and set up an appointment to do so.

When he got to the house it was obvious from the outside that the property was in need of maintenance.  Inside he met what he described as the Sweetest Old Lady he had met in a long time.

While they each drank a cup of tea, that she so kindly offered him and ate some homemade cookies he asked her enough questions to determine that she did not want to sell her home. She loved her home but was all alone and her kids wanted her to sell and go live in an assisted living facility.

It seemed to Rich that she was doing very well on her own in her much loved home so full of happy memories, so he suggested to her that she not sell until she wanted to sell which pleased her so much that she insisted that he speak with her oldest daughter.

The daughter was not at all happy with Rich when they first began to speak but Rich made it very clear to her that her Mom was happy in her home and seemed to be doing very well on her own. After he asked her why they would not give their mother more time in an environment that she loved so much and made her so happy, the daughter came around to Rich's point of view.

Rich thanked the Sweet Old Lady for calling him and assured her that he would be there for her if and when she wanted to sell. He returned to the office and had our secretary send her flowers with a heartfelt note.

Two weeks ago he got a call from the daughter of the Sweet Old Lady telling him that her Mom had just been put in a nursing home and she was insisting that Mr. Witt was the only one that she would list her home with.

Rich met the daughter at the house and then went to the nursing home to visit the Sweet Old Lady who signed all the papers and before Rich left with tears in her eyes thanked him for sticking up for her and making it possible for her to enjoy two more years in her own home! Rich gave her a big hug and thanked her for putting so much trust in him.

This story touched my heart and pointed out to me once again how easy it is to make a beautiful difference in the lives of all of our buyers and sellers when we lead with integrity and do onto others as we would have them do onto us.

PS... Rich already has the house in full contract and his Sweet Old Lady is very happy and loves her latest delivery of flowers from Rich...

Happy Day My Friends...

Kevin P. Walor
Exit Realty Partners - Hudson, MA
Esq.

Great story. I love that in this job we are really helping people! Sometimes it's first time buyers, sometimes it's people going through a really hard time in their lives, sometimes older folks who have had so many memories in their homes, and they are putting trust into us. We owe it to them to have integrity and keep their specific needs in our minds, as well!

Feb 24, 2013 09:01 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Great story, Beth.  Rich did the right thing, and that woman was blessed that he was the one who showed up at the door.  Thanks for sharing your story. 

Feb 24, 2013 09:04 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

This is exactly why we do what we do.  There are so many sweet little ladies out there that we can help.

Feb 24, 2013 09:48 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

We all have our time, that's for sure.  But being in a home for two more years was a blessing and it's a wonderful story!  It wasn't time to move two years ago and Rich understood that. 

Feb 24, 2013 09:55 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Richard & Beth- you have made my day with this lovely story.  Rich listened to the Sweet Old Lady, but more important was the fact that he cared and put her feelings ahead of a listing. Thank you. 

Feb 24, 2013 10:33 AM
Kathy Judy
Tri-Cities Real Estate retired - Ontario, OR
We have just dealt with a similar situation in our office! kudos to Paula Sanders for taking the high road in every way!
Feb 24, 2013 11:03 AM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

You absolutely handled it like a true professional. It is no wonder that she insisted on you- integrity matters. 

Feb 24, 2013 11:07 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Beth

I love this story. Rich clearlty was doing what he should...look out for her best interests instead of his own. It served her, and him well.

Jeff

Feb 24, 2013 02:13 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

This is a fantastic story to read.  It's a great reminder that this business is about relationships and us serving our clients.  Well done!

Feb 24, 2013 08:50 PM
Pat & Wayne Harriman
Harriman Real Estate, LLC (203) 672-4499 - Wallingford, CT
Broker/Owners, Wallingford CT Real Estate

Thanks for proving to us all that it's really not about the commission or the referral or getting a name in a database, it's about truly wanting to help people and do the right thing. If I were you I would frame this story and put it on the wall of my office for all to see. Lots of good karma coming your way, I'm sure!

Feb 24, 2013 08:58 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Richard and Beth, what a great story! You made it possible for this "Sweet Old Lady" to spend another two years in her home. I'm sure she will be forever thankful.

Feb 24, 2013 09:09 PM
Ridhi Raheja
Movement Mortgage (Illinois) - Naperville, IL
FHA, 203k, VA, Jumbo, PreApproval, Jumbo Home Loan

Richard and Beth, this a very good story to start the week right. This serves as an inspiration to all of us to do our job beyond what money can buy.

Feb 24, 2013 10:03 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author


Beth...Rich is a keeper and anyone that can bring happiness to the elderly and protect their interests does a good and profitable deed

Feb 24, 2013 10:41 PM
Donna Quanrud
Coldwell Banker Burnet - Eden Prairie, MN
Donna Quanrud Southwest Metro Homes

Wonderful story.  What a gift you gave that sweet woman by listening and giving her permission to not have to sell before she was ready.  I can sense the joy you brought to her soul for two more years in her beloved home.

Feb 24, 2013 11:06 PM
Randy Bocook
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Richmond Hill, GA
Selling Coastal Georgia

Such a great story and a reminder to always do the right thing even if there is nothing in it for you. You get what you give in this life!

Feb 25, 2013 12:20 AM
Christine Adler
FindAHomeWithMe.com - Fort Lauderdale, FL
SE Palm Beach, Broward & NE Miami-Dade Counties FL

What a terrific story, and one we would all do well to remember.  Rich did the right thing, which in turn, came back to him.  Thanks for the beautiful story with the beautiful ending.  How wonderful she got those extra two years in her beloved home.

Feb 25, 2013 01:16 AM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

This is such a sweet and touching story.  Helping the lady stay in her home for two more years was a real blessing for her. I understand why she only wanted Mr. Witt to market her home. She is very lucky that the man who came to her house was a good and caring agent.

Betty

Feb 25, 2013 02:05 AM
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

Thank you all for you beautiful comments and your time and YES Rich is a keeper... See #30...

Happy Day My Friends

Feb 25, 2013 02:42 AM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

This is why I love real estate. .we get to be super heroes. . congrats to Richard in showing poise, integrity and value

Feb 25, 2013 07:49 AM
Trisha Bush-LeFore
Preferred Properties Land & Homes - Walla Walla, WA
Providing Realtor Services in the Walla Walla Area

What a beautiful story! How inspiring. Sometimes it's not always about business, but helping people as well. Great way to end the day. Thank you so much for this.

Feb 25, 2013 09:57 AM