I remember my first real estate sale, as if it were yesterday. My path to a real estate career had detours along the way, including as an escrow officer and later I became an elementary school teacher. I never forgot my experiences in escrow and my unofficial duties to help agents keep their deals together, often without receiving a thank you when I handed them their commission check.
When my son was born I took a leave of absence from teaching. While I needed to work, I only wanted to work part time until my son started school. Remembering my experiences in escrow I decided that real estate would let me be my own boss, give me flexible hours to care for my son, and keep my own deals together from my experiences in escrow.
I was fortunate to join a brokerage in La Jolla and carefully chose a 300-home “farm” to begin my career. After my first mailing I received a phone call to interview for a listing in my farm area. I dressed in my best suit, grabbed my new briefcase and headed to the listing appointment. Nervously, I knocked on the door and came face to face with Abe and Fanny, an elderly couple in their late 80s. They ushered me into their home filled with photos and memories of the 50+ years they had lived there. They proudly shared each room with me, highlighted their children’s accomplishments, told me animated stories of Abe’s remodeling attempts, and then disclosed their reason for moving. They said, while they weren’t slowing down, they had decided together that downsizing and relocating to a condo lifestyle would allow them more time to enjoy life. We spent a wonderful afternoon together and they hugged me when I left.
The next day they called and said they had decided to list their home with me and invited my husband, Dan and I over to dinner. We had a great time and my husband and I spent time with them over the next 
couple of weeks helping them prepare their home for sale and making the needed repairs. Dan even took Abe out to practice his driving so he could get his license renewed on his 90th birthday. Dan later revealed to me that it was the scariest thing he had ever done, but by then Abe and Fanny were like family to us.
On the first day that the listing posted in the MLS, we received a full price offer subject to the appraisal. We were in a hot market and La Jolla listings didn’t last long, and Abe and Fanny were thrilled. The transaction was smooth, the appraisal came in at price, the other agent was professional and the deal closed in 30 days without a hitch. The new family was delightful and Abe and Fanny were excited that they had sold their beloved home to a young family who would appreciate it, as much as they had. I found Abe and Fanny a new single level condo and with the help of their family moved them into it.
It was the BEST deal I have ever done in my life. Lovely people, easy transaction, professional support, and it set the stage for the most important decision I have ever made, which was to continue my career helping people as a real estate professional.
I learned many things from this first transaction and most have continued to influence my 30-year career in real estate. One of the unexpected benefits was the size of my commission check for the 30-day transaction. It was more than I made an entire year in teaching. Yes, an entire year teaching! Now I didn’t earn very much teaching, even with a Master’s Degree, and more often than not, I used my salary to buy classroom supplies for my class, so I didn’t take a lot home. But I realized, that my efforts, great or small, 
would be compensated and the more I put into my career, the more I would make. I wasn’t working for anyone else and free to be self-motivated, and the best part I was able to spend time with my son during his younger years.
Abe and Fanny became lifelong friends until they passed, and they are in my heart forever. They say that God brings people into your life for a reason and I agree. I learned more from Abe and Fanny and their love for living life fully and having gratitude for big and small things than I ever imagined I would. My real estate career has brought me face to face with many families over the years, but I will never forget my first real estate transaction, the amazing couple I met, the stories they shared, and the lessons I carry with me.
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