My First Real Estate Experience in Katy - Perfectly Smooth Deal
( Above picture taken by and copyrighted by Bob Gilbert with all rights reserved)
My first Real Estate deal was almost unbelieveable how smooth it was and all parties were very happy. I was told by folks who knew about this deal to beware as the majority of transactions have issues and some are serious issues. Do not believe this situation is the norm or will happen again was another comment I heard.
Let’s go back in time several years when I was a newbie Realtor but very experienced business financial manager. I worked Open Houses for my former boss and mentor on 3 different weekends out of 4 weekends that specific September in Katy TX ( City of Katy or Old Katy). The home of course was his listing and he wanted me to get the Open House taste and experience. Just by doing all the effort to hold an Open House taught me a lot about the process and people.
The subject home was a one built in the early 1970’s, had several updates, was very well keep and was located on one lot but the deal included a second lot right next door. Big beautiful trees were located in several places. Today I would say this is a gorgeous property. The home at its price back then was really a steal and today no one could even begin to find any home like this one at a price anywhere near what it was being listed for without even throwing in the second lot!
I had several folks flat out tell they wanted to buy this home during my 3 Open House stint but all but one was just talking with no action. The old saying money talks and BS walks certainly comes into play. A big lesson for at this point in my Real Estate background was learned by me. During the third open house I showed the home twice to the same couple as they came back a second time. Even I knew these folks really liked the home and their comments easily supported my opinion. As I was getting ready to lock up the home they asked what did they have to do to buy this home. I told them to call me in the morning as I could sell the home as it was not my listing. Gary Greene the Broker I worked for back then did not allow Intermediary status for an agent to work both sides of any deal. My Broker today has the same guideline.
Another lesson I learned is I should have broken out a contract right there on the spot and got it written up while they were still there. I did get to know the homeowners and they told me later I could stayed there for as long as needed if we writing a contract. Today without hesitation write the contract and get the buyers to sign it on the spot! Buyers Realtor writes a contract for presentation to sellers in Texas.
My clients and I wrote up the deal on Monday and we presented it to my boss and listing agent. He was already prepared as we both created a wall of communication separation concerning this deal and home. I reported to the head of our office and he reported to second in command for all matters pertaining to this sale. We never had any issues and the file was not available for him to view or use.
My clients also owned a home in Katy and needed to sell it at some point in time. They qualified for a mortgage while still owning the other home. Their first mortgage payment was very low. This home was also located in an old Katy neighborhood. My Boss through me got the listing with no obstacles at all. .
The inspection was done and we had a few issues due to the age. No problem as the sellers agreed to give my buyers an amendment for cash to help pay for the repairs. At first I was very nervous about this inspection. No worries mate as all worked out with very little communication. I was shocked frankly and happy all at the same time.
My buyers home in old Katy was in excellent shape but being very hard working and honest people these folks decided to paint the whole home and wanted to get it done before it was listed. We held off with the listing while they worked.
You might ask why this was such a perfect type of deal? Well as my buyers were painting their home and it was not yet listed, a lady drove by and asked if by chance this home was for sale. She was moving from another state and wanted to live in Katy and have her children attend Katy ISD schools. My clients said it was about 1-2 days away from being listed. The potential buyer said she would be back early the next morning with her Realtor and she flat said she was going to buy the home. I was going to go with my boss to put out the sign and put flyers in attached container on the side when it was ready to on on MLS. I got a call that said we were in super speed motion as it appeared we already had a buyer lined up. Again I was totally amazed. The home was really sold without going on MLS but the system of course showed otherwise.
Closing of both homes went super smooth and buyers/sellers actually all became friends. Today I sit back in amazement as I will never see another deal go that smooth again. There was a lot more to this long winded story but I will stop here. I wish I still had pictures of the home my client bought but two hard drives blowups in back to back year did away with those pictures. It was actually almost fun to be involved but since I was brand new I was nervous. I guess I was just very lucky and the Good Lord was looking out for me.
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