The rewards that most people think of in real estate are the paychecks we receive when we have a successful closing. What many who aren't in this profession don't realize is that there are some wonderful PRICELESS rewards we reap. There are all the wonderful friendships that are made, the great joy of finding that perfect home for people, the sense of pride in helping first-time buyers into their first home that they may have thought to be unattainable, and so much else that just can't be measured in dollars and cents.
I had another of those very special rewards come my way this past week!
I've been working with a wonderful young couple who got engaged while we were looking for their first home. They are sharp, on the ball, smart, and both have a fabulous sense of humor. We met at one of my listings that they'd found online and called to see. I showed them through the house, having fun while doing so, and as the showing ended, they let me know that this just wasn't the house for them. They then asked what the process was for buying a home, so we chatted for a bit, and then in the middle of me telling them about representation, he said, "We already know we like you, and we want to know if we can work with you". Just like that, they wanted to know if THEY could work with ME. They WANTED to work with me......they told me they knew I would be a big help to them if I would please work with them. And they said I was "fun". FUN!
I found them a wonderful home and they got it for a great price! They were so excited about the house, about it becoming their home, their FIRST home. And I was excited for them! I love that feeling, it's a feeling that's so hard to explain to those not in our business. We had a few little struggles early on in the sale - relatives who knew all about real estate, friends who had all kinds of horror stories, etc. We had one relative in particular who thought all sales people were liars, thieves, and cheats, from his own experiences. And we are all products of our own experiences - good and bad.
Anyway, closing day arrived, and we closed with HUGE smiles on their faces through the whole closing. Talk about being on cloud nine - they certainly were, and rightfully so. I had told them when we first saw this house that if they didn't buy it, I just might, and I meant that. I came home that night and told my honey all about that house, and he got excited about it because he loves that particular area in Stratham. But alas, I sold it to these lucky buyers......
As the closing finished up, I put my purse on the table, opened it up to put my glasses back inside, and my buyer slipped a card inside it. I pulled it out, and said, "Well I can tell there's no food in here"....she's a terrific cook - she owns her own catering business. Hugs all around and happy faces everywhere!
After I got back to my office, I remembered the card she had stuck inside my purse. I opened it up, saw restaurant gift certificates and movie theater passes, and then I read what he had written, and my eyes watered up. These words will stay with me forever, because they spoke so much to me and made me tear up because I knew the feelings with which they had been written to me, TO ME from my buyers, from their heart.
Those words are:
"Ann, Thanks so much for everything and for always looking out for our best interests. If my dad were still alive, and he were to meet you, I know he would have changed his mind about realtors. Looking forward to working with you
again someday."
Sitting perfectly still in my chair, I read those words. That one sentence touched my heart in a way I can't even begin to describe. I guess that's what I work for every day, without even knowing it. I work in the way I would want someone else to work with my own family.......with respect, honor, and with care, all the while making it fun and enjoyable for all involved.
I have re-read this note so many times, over and over - "If my dad were still alive, and he were to meet you, I know he would have changed his mind about realtors."
I will never tire of reading this sentence, and that will inspire me to continue to be the best I can be at any given time and to do the best I can for everyone I work for and with. I firmly believe in "The Golden Rule", and this special note takes things one notch higher for me.
This PRICELESS gift - this handwritten note - means the world to me, and makes my eyes water again, as I re-read it to write this post.
May we all have many wonderful PRICELESS rewards like this ........
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Great post. It's the reason that we do what we do or at least it should be.