Contest Entry 1 - It's February And Love Is In The Air -
Meadow Lark - Letting Go
It all started back in 2015 when I got a referral from a long time service partner. I called the seller, who I later found out was one of two sisters who inherited a property from their mother located on the main highway as you enter the Chapel area. The picture above was taken right from the front door looking east. The views from this property are stunning. I travel back and forth to Sedona and Village of Oak Creek many times a week and I know this property well.
The sisters (sellers) had been renting this house out for many years after their mother had passed. One sister was from Phoenix and the other lived in Chicago. I had contacted the sister in Chicago. I had a listing appointment with them and really wanted this listing.
There was another agent who also competed for the listing. This agent was picked by the other sister. To make a long story short. The other agent told the sisters what they wanted to hear. She could get $80,000 more for the house. Well, the sister in Phoenix convinced her sister to go with this other agent. It was listed and it sat, and sat, and sat. I found out later there was no activity on this property. Over 1000 cars an hour (during peak periods) pass by this property. With one week left on the contract, the agent called to renew. The sisters had decided to go with me. Interestingly the agent told the sisters she had an interested party and to give her some more time. Nothing panned out.
The Challenge of the Sale
I took the property over at the price I thought the property would sell for. I added professional pictures, and marketed the property. Within one week, we had a contract! However, the sisters never finished probate on the house! YIKES! We lost that buyer. They didn't want to wait.
During the due diligence period of another contract, there were some issues that came up. I had many, many conversations with the sisters through two time zones. I had contractors brought out to identify all the issues so that we could establish a true price of what this home was should sell for. This was one of the most difficult sales I had experienced. But I was determined to help these sisters put this part of their life in the past. Every call they both shared their appreciation and said they didn't know what they would do without me.
Every call I took on this property, I disclosed everything we knew and had discovered. Why waste someone's time? I finally found a buyer for this property, but because of the nature of all the challenges, I had to refer it to another agent to represent the buyers. Someone I trusted. My loyalty and fiduciary responsibility was to the sellers.
When the property closed, I called each sister separately and told them. Each cried while thanking me. They could finally let go of the home their mother was so happy in. I also was happy for them. They could now go on with the rest of their lives, keep a wonderful memory but.....also let go.
The sister from Chicago said that when she came out to Arizona to visit her sister in Phoenix, they would come up to Sedona. I was hoping we would one day be able to make it work. I was excited to finally meet with them on a happy occassion to celebrate. We had a wonderful lunch at the Enchantment Resort.
As stated, several times a week I go past this home and now a smile comes to my face. In the background landscape of the Chapel area, there are the "Twin Sisters". This formation always reminds me of these two special ladies. The Twin sisters are the two rock formations to the right...(below).
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As a Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sedona Arizona REALTOR®, my primary goal is to help my customers obtain their dreams, as well as satisfy their financial goals and objectives through real estate. From the moment I am contacted, you will observe my seasoned ability to provide you with "World Class Service" and that "personal touch" while utilizing a complete package of technology options that are of the utmost importance and so critical in today's market. I will tailor real solutions to fit your specific needs.
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