No "big" deal at all

I'm going to write this post with fictional names.  

John and his wife Mary were both real estate agents and bought a Lake Sinclair home at the height of the market.  They made improvements, refinanced and life was good.  Then life happened.  The market crashed as did their income levels.  They listed the house with me.  They listened to my advice about painting the kitchen, thinning out the furniture, keeping the lawn cut and hedges trimmed.  They even planted some new items and pressure washed.  The house had mad curb appeal.  

Prices were tanking and there was always new lower comps selling and we chased that target price until we were right on the cusp of what he could sell for without bringing cash to the table. (which he did not have to bring)  Then he called his bank, wrote his hardship letter and thought he had an approved short sale home.  It never happened.  I have never felt as guilty for a listing NOT selling.  

Their personal circumstances became worse and worse and two of their "out of the nest" children had to move home.  One brought an entire family and one came home expecting.  Jobs lost, educations put on hold and my seller with more mouths to feed than  he could manage.  He finally called me one day and said, "that's it, I'm done!"  And he actually said something to me that I will never ever forget... he said "I sure hope your office gets the listing, I want you to make some money on the sale because you have worked so hard for me."

Can you believe that someone who gave up and was letting the bank take their house was thinking about my time and pay check?  I was amazed at his thoughtfulness.  I didn't want the listing.  John had become my friend.  I recently had a phone conversation with him and one of these days I bet he will buy a lake home again on my lake and I know I'll be his buyer's agent. And because my office didn't get that listing I shared with him my knowledge and experience about "cash for keys" and helped him get a good settlement from his lender.  

So in the end while it was no deal at all on that transaction, I did two important things.  1. I made a friend.  and 2. I became his "broker for life at the lake" (again his words) Those two things are so much better than a commission check to me.