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Talked Myself Right Out of a Lake Anna Listing...and it was so Easy!

By
Real Estate Agent with Dockside Realty VA 0225142975

Talked myself right out of a Lake Anna listing...and it was so easy. Explaining the how and why will not be difficult either.

This is the house:

Lake Anna Water Access Home

TOO LATE TO BUY THIS ONE!

 

Now why in the word would I let a listing like this one go by? Well, honesty played a part.

When I met with the owners they explained to me why they were considering selling their second home. It is a house that they had owned for several years and enjoyed along with their family. It had gotten to the point where they felt they were not getting enough use out of it to make it worth keeping. If you had a chance to see the inside you would realize that they kept their home in pristine condition. In fact it was a word that came to mind when I saw it. It was very nicely furnished and maintained to the point that I could not suggest a thing they should do in preparation for selling it...if that was what they chose to do.

The owners gave it some more thought and felt as though they would hold on to it for a while longer. However, a short time later I received a call and was asked to list it. They felt that it was the right time. 

As I said the house was ready for photos and immediate showings so within a day or so it was in the MLS, marketing materials prepared, lock box on the front door, and a sign up in the front yard.

Not long after I received a call from the husband. He and his wife had reflected on the things that I had shared with them when I initially met with them about listing. As often happens, I was asked if I had a home at Lake Anna and the answer was yes.

I told them how we had moved down here 23 years ago. Naturally I was a bit unsure how I would like it full time. I'd spent four years enjoying the lake on weekends during the warmer part of the year and the time was spent down on the dock or out on the water. Living here full time was going to be different than that.

I shared with them that full time living meant much more. And, to my surprise, a lot more fun and a lot more time for relaxing. No longer did I experience the reluctance I would once feel in having to leave on Sunday afternoons to head back north. Instead Sunday afternoons were just the beginning of another week of enjoying all that there was to enjoy right here with the many friends we were able to make. One friendship seemed to lead to another and than another. One activity led to discovering more things to do. The sense of relaxing that I used to feel on Friday evenings when I first caught a glimpse of the lake stayed with me throughout the day, the week, the month. Years have gone by and that feeling remains.

My hope is that the owners of this home experience all the good things that I have and even more. Was I pleased when the owner told me that when the time comes for them to sell I will have the opportunity to help them once again? Of course. Meanwhile I will be happy knowing they are also here at Lake Anna, my favorite spot.

Real estate is my profession. For me it means not only helping folks buy and sell properties. It also means that I let them know what life can be like here at Lake Anna. That is something that I willingly share with those that are just learning about the lake and the area around the lake and for those that have spent some time here and would like to learn even more about the lifestyle they too can enjoy. 

 

 

Posted by

 ©Copyright Kate Elim 2015

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GET MOVING WITH KATE!

540-226-1964 cell

lakeanna.kate@gmail.com

For easy property searches check out my web sites: katesellslakeanna.com

or

lakeannacountry.com

Comments (42)

Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi John...Sometimes we are able to help our clients realize what it is they really would like to do. I hope your friend is still enjoying life near his grandchildren.

Kate

Aug 13, 2015 01:59 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Andrew...Better that this couple holds on to their home a bit longer, or hopefully much longer, than to sell and wish they had such a place to come to.

Kate

Aug 13, 2015 02:00 AM
Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man
HomeSmart - Phoenix, AZ
The Pumpkin Man

Kate

I have found honesty works 99.9999% of the time in my 35 years.

Aug 13, 2015 08:02 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Dan...I concur. It's taking the easy way out so why not go that route. You're more likely to receive honesty in return also. Exactly what we want.

Kate

Aug 13, 2015 11:10 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Kate Elim , so the "Sellers" decided to move to Lake Anna full time instead of just enjoying their lake home on week-ends or did they decide to keep the home as a get-away?

Aug 13, 2015 09:23 PM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

I live on a lake in Kansas and when I list properties at Gardner Lake so many people are looking for that "weekend get away!" They quickly turn into full time residents!  I understand talking people into staying! 

Aug 13, 2015 11:03 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Kate Elim ...yes to your business plan and you are my type of Real Estate agent

Aug 13, 2015 11:34 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Sometimes that happens, and part of our job is to help people come to terms with their decisions, and decisions are not always made with full thought and information. Lately, I've had clients do repairs / upgrades I've suggested for them, and twice this year had them cancel a listing appointment because they fell in love with their home again. It's OK, because when the time comes, you and I know who they will call and who they will refer to friends.

Aug 14, 2015 03:04 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Judi...This will continue to be their second home but they plan to spend more time here and to get involved with the community. Now that they are retired they can do that and this way they will be able to discover the full joy of Lake Anna.

Kate

Aug 14, 2015 06:13 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Suzie...So I have found a kindred soul. Living by the water, for those that love the water, is heaven. Once folks find that out they want to be here all the time.

Kate

Aug 14, 2015 06:27 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Richie...Thank you. You couldn't have said a kinder thing.

Kate

Aug 14, 2015 06:31 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Elizabeth...I can easily imagine you making suggestions to improve a home that would have the owners loving it all over again. Their appreciation for what you did must be sky high. You made #1 with them for sure.

Kate

Aug 14, 2015 06:34 AM
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

Wonderful story - some call me a "rural relocation counselor" - when you can speak from the heart about the good life, sometimes people make different decisions.

Its all good - thanks for sharing.

Aug 14, 2015 07:25 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Jeanne...Speaking from the heart beats a script anytime. It may not be the same here for everybody but I like to share with them the possibilities. If it works for them, wonderful. If not, that's okay too.

We are so fortunate that we have the rural life along with the lake. It's special when you can feel content where you are. I'm happy for you and I like your title. I'm sure it is well deserved.

Kate

Aug 14, 2015 07:31 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Kate

Doing what's right . . . . is the right to go.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Aug 14, 2015 12:57 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

The time it's that easy, it's usually a sign that it was meant to be and it's simple as that.

Aug 16, 2015 04:59 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Lou,!is always on the right track here and this is a good one on his part, no doubt Lou Ludwig

Aug 16, 2015 05:00 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kate,

What a beautiful story...and I am sure they will be sending you referrals at every opportunity.   The home has a lot of curb appeal...A

Aug 17, 2015 08:10 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kate Elim There were not 100% sure they were ready to sell and they will spend some more good times in this pristine home. Thanks for sharing the story.

Aug 17, 2015 09:13 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Such a nice story...a real twist in this Real Estate biz!

Aug 17, 2015 03:20 PM