It has been a LONG day.

I have spent the past few of weeks working with a young couple who are first time buyers on a good sized transaction.  Throughout the transaction on the other end of the phone or e-mail was Martha, the listing agent with another brokerage who has many more years of real estate experience than my 4 years.

Today was the final day of my buyers' option period and after protracted negotiations they decided that they wanted to terminate their contract to buy Martha's client's house.  I dreaded sharing the news with Martha.  She has been very nice to work with and I think both of us anticipated a successful closing in less than 2 weeks.  I did not expect a particularly warm response to my news, but Martha blew me away... less than an hour after informing her of my clients' decision to terminate the contract I got an e-mail from Martha:

"Steve - I have been in this business for a very long time.  I can spot the "stars" and you are one of them...you are diligent, patient, conscientious and not lazy...do not know how long you have been in this business, but I predict you are a success and will be even more successful as the years go by.

I love this business, I hardly can stand to sleep at night - I am afraid I will miss something.  I will never retire....

First time homebuyers badly need someone like you who is right on top of the transaction at all times.  I hope they know how lucky they are to have you represent them.

Go Steve Go!!!!!

 M"

I was blown away by Martha's kindness and compliments.  All I could think to myself when I read it was "Wow, Martha is definitely a CLASS ACT!"  I have had many successful transactions and most have gone as smooth as silk, but I have never received a post-transaction note that even approaches what was said about me in this one... that I received less than an hour after telling Martha that my client was pulling the rug out from under this deal.

Thank you Martha, not just for the compliments but for considering it important enough to take the time to share them with me.  I am a third generation REALTOR® with excellent role models, but today you reminded me about the type of REALTOR® that I want to be and how I want my colleagues to regard me.  I hope that Martha and I have the opportunity to work other transactions together in the future.