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Are You Suffering from Withdrawal? I am

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

April 18, 2013 03:24 PM

Are You Suffering from Withdrawal? I am

I often feel I am suffering from withdrawal when I finish real estate transactions, whether with a buyer or seller.

Perhaps you feel this way too? I’ve actually had a few of you comment to that effect.

We shared lots of emails during your transaction We’ve had lots of emails during our time together…hundreds and hundreds of them in fact. And plenty of text messages. Not to mention all the phone conversations to talk about offer strategy, updates (or lack of), questions, repairs requests, status of loans, frustrations around delays, and so much more.

Believe it or not we actually had a few days where there was little to no communication because things were moving along the way they were supposed to and all was good, but in the last 30 days we have been tied to the hip, so to speak.

Then, all of a sudden it was over. In a wonderful way, of course.

I called to congratulate you on your new home, or on your sale. It was one of the most rewarding moments in this business for me.

Oh, there was more to it than just a quick call, with a gift, a thank you, a short visit. But all of a sudden everything changed. Does it feel different to you, too?

Are You Suffering from Withdrawal?

I am.

It was an honor helping you! That’s OK. I’ll stay in touch. I want to see what you do with your new home, or what your next adventure is.

I want to be there to help in any way I can for the long term, with recommendations about the community, tips about vendors you might need, information about the market over time, and just being there because I care, and we worked together so well.

I'm honored to have been part of your life during this very important phase.

And now there are other important things for us both to do. But I won’t forget. I hope you don’t either.

No doubt you’re glad all the craziness is over, the emails have stopped, the pressure to make yet another phone call is gone. And you are in your new home. Or sold your home and will transition to something new.

Your life will move on. Mine will, too. But mine has changed, having been part of helping you achieve your goals.

I’ll get over the withdrawal. So will you!

It’s all been worth it, hasn’t it?

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Margaret Goss

@Properties - Winnetka, IL

Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Yes I always feel that way! The relationship changes after the close and it takes some work on our parts to keep it alive.

Apr 19, 2013 03:35 AM

Ridhi Raheja

Movement Mortgage (Illinois) - Naperville, IL

FHA, 203k, VA, Jumbo, PreApproval, Jumbo Home Loan

I know how you feel Jeff.Withdrawal is part of our business. Every buyer or seller has gone through with this. What’s important is our patience and determination to get through it.

Apr 19, 2013 04:22 AM

Diane McDermott

Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC

Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

Beautifully expressed Jeff and I feel the same way. Love this and the honor of being a part of that transition/process with clients is absolutely worth it!!!

Apr 19, 2013 04:50 AM

Richard Iarossi

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD

Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Jeff,

Happens to me too. The communications is so intense during the process, and then when we hit settlement, it slows to a trickle. Of course, there are the few transactions where this is a good thing ;-)

Rich

Apr 19, 2013 05:46 AM

Trisha Bush-LeFore

Preferred Properties Land & Homes - Walla Walla, WA

Providing Realtor Services in the Walla Walla Area

What a beautiful post. Sometimes you do get very attached and want to know how things end up going for your clients. Sometimes you're lucky enough to have them come back to list with you when they are ready to sell. :)

Apr 19, 2013 06:21 AM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

I've had clients where I feel a sense of loss when the whole deal is done but others I feel a sense of relief. It all depends on the people involved.

Apr 19, 2013 07:45 AM

Wayne Zuhl

Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ

The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

So true, Jeff! But you can fill the void by increasing the prospecting to get some more in the pipeline!

Apr 19, 2013 08:27 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I often feel this way, especially, with buyers who you may have spent a lot of time with.

Apr 19, 2013 10:16 AM

Jane Chaulklin-Schott

TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL

TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Have felt this feeling so many times - We became a part of each others lives. I got to know you and you got to know me. We worked on something together that was very important. In the future perhaps we may work together again; but in the meantime, I will remember and hope you are happy.

Apr 19, 2013 10:51 AM

Melissa Zavala

Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA

Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I am suffering from withdrawl--even thought I do stay in touch, often they don't write back or return my calls. I think this in an interesting topic.

Apr 19, 2013 11:08 AM

Jackie Connelly-Fornuff

Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY

"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

I always feel that way Jeff. I have great relationships with my sellers and buyers and when it's all over, it just feels weird. Most of them have told me they miss me, lol.

Apr 19, 2013 12:05 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I think many of us have experience "withdrawal." Sometime it is healty.. like letting go of a kid who you are happy now is spreading their own wings. and sometimes it sort of feels like you weren't appreciated.

Apr 19, 2013 12:08 PM

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

Jeff - I've had some nightmare transactions that have required constant communication with my client, so when it's all over it feels a little strange and I've even had clients say "I don't know what I'm going to do not hearing from you on a daily basis."

Apr 19, 2013 12:48 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Jeff - This is cute and true. There are some clients that really leave a whole.

Apr 19, 2013 04:02 PM

Kay Bennett

First Realty Company - Cookeville, TN

Your Best Cookeville Area Agent!

Sometimes I feel relief, and sometimes I make great friends whom I contact regulary...then there are the times when I just have a drink and exhale, LOL.

Apr 19, 2013 11:25 PM

Eric Kodner

Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI

CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

Jeff,

What's the Latin translation? "Post venditiones, omne animal triste est".

(huge grin)

Apr 20, 2013 04:01 AM

Hannah Williams

HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA

Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Jeff I was just talking about this with another agent in my office .. and here you go again reading my mind

Apr 20, 2013 05:30 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Ed - true for everyone I suspect.

Fernando - staying in touch is a great way to cure the withdrawal and gain business, as you say

Kimberly - and it shifts so quickly. But then we get beyond it.

Michael - absolutely, and the withdrawal is easy to deal with as a result of that satisfaction

Thanks, Jared. It's particularly noticeable in some cases, isn't it?

Richie - I like the constant stream with no gaps!

Helen and Larry - that's an interesting thought!

Lori - and I suspect some buyers and sellers are glad to move on adn not have all the craziness.

Amanda - with some transactions you really DO breathe a sigh of relief, as no doubt the buyers and sellers do, too

Joni - thanks! We'll pretend!! I appreciate the compliment

Margaret - so true. It won't stay alive on it's own, will it?

Jeff

Apr 20, 2013 10:19 AM

Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

It's amazing how close you get so quickly to people in this business. And yes, it is weird when it is all over. The calm after the storm.

Apr 20, 2013 10:59 AM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Jeff, I can so relate to this post. Closoing is often a kind of sad day for me because I won't keep be in touch with the Buyer or Seller as intensely as we have over the past weeks and sometimes months. Great post! Sharon

Apr 20, 2013 02:40 PM