Crossing the Line for Compassion
I recently had a transaction where I was representing the buyer in purchasing a home. The Listing Agent was very difficult to reach for obtaining any information or the Seller's Disclosure Statement.
When I finally voiced my frustration to her on not being able to reach her in a timely fashion, she then confessed to me that she had cancer, and had been in the hospital for her cancer treatments. I expressed concern for her welfare, but told her based on the situation, she should get with her broker on getting someone to fill in for her during her cancer treatments.
She started to cry and asked that I not contact her broker about her personal situation. As the buyer's representative, my duty is to represent the best interest of my buyer. I responded back to the Listing Agent, "I will only continue to support you if I get permission from both my buyer and my broker. I felt that this situation where I was crossing the line. I had to ask myself, what if it was me going through this? Would I not want a fellow agent to show me a little compassion?
When the Listing Agent gave me information on the home, I was starting to question if the information was valid or distorted due the the cancer treatments. As a result, it was apparent that I would need to be working directly with her client, the Seller. I got permission from the Listing Agent to contact the Seller directly. The seller was very understanding and approved of my stepping in to help out.
After a few bumps in the transaction, we scheduled closing. At the time of closing, the Listing Agent had completed her cancer treatments and was able to attend the closing. She greeted me with a big bear hug. I could feel the appreciation to the compassion I showed to her in this hug.
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