Do You See What I See?
Lisa Von Domek encouraged us to write about as many as 3 transactions we loved for her Love is in the Air challenge this month. It’s an appropriate theme given the approaching Valentine’s Day, but what a wonderful way to reflect on our business and the many positive experiences we have, and the significant impact and involvement we have in people’s lives.
It’s hard to limit my reflections to just 3 – there are many, indeed most, that are memorable in very positive ways. But a choice must be made, and this transaction was such a pleasure, and unique for me…the husband in this couple was legally blind!
It was back in 2004, barely 2 years after I received my real estate license in Massachusetts. I was living in Cambridge in the Harvard Square area and working for RE/MAX Destiny. I don’t recall how this couple came to me but it seems it was a referral from a past buyer client.
He was upfront about the issue from the start, with a long discussion about how it all came to be when they came to the office to meet with me to discuss their needs, and how it affected his life and his wife’s. They were financially well qualified, pre-approved, and had a pretty good idea of what they were looking for in their first home, always a good sign.
But, given his blindness there were certain things that were essential – being close to public transportation (there was a good bus system in many areas we looked, but not all) and having reasonably safe access to it – no steep hills, a user-friendly side walk, bus stops just a short distance away, and ideally walking distance to some amenities.
The interior configurations were important to make it as easy to move around as possible, and they were primarily interested in a single story (but exterior steps were OK).
One of the things I loved about this couple was their openness about the issue, sharing with me their ideas, thoughts, and concerns, and being open to different possibilities as long as he felt it could work for them both. Some of these matters evolved over time and certain needs became more important…in a market with fairly limited options…while with others they were more flexible, including her commute to work. Of course we see that evolution in lots of buyers.
Touring homes with someone who is blind was a new experience. We are so accustomed to the visual aspects of home tours, and indeed likely point things out in that way – Did you see this? How does that look to you? I certainly found myself being much more sensitive about these words that reference sight and trying not to use them when speaking with him.
Maybe I was overcautious about the words I used, since I never felt that he was ever offended by antything I said, and as we got to know each other well there was lots of friendly banter and joking around.
I also found myself needing to be more careful when touring a home to point out what he needed to be cautious about – a low beam in the stairwell to one particular home leading to a basement.
His wife of course, was always there to guide him and point things out that he could not see but could only feel, and to answer questions, and to describe what he could not see! I do recall one time when I took him to see a property on my own...something I was rather nervous about.
The sense of touch for this gentleman obviously played a particularly important role, and for some things that most of us would likely not even notice. And there were far more questions given his very limited sight, which was declining over time.
The other issue, which was a challenge but an excellent learning experience was the communication, especially by email. He had a software program that would convert written words to speech – no doubt this type of software is far more sophisticated than it was 13 years ago – and while it worked pretty well there were times he would email, or call, because he did not understand things. And photos were a particular issue.
And of course his very limited vision impacted the offer and all the paperwork that needed to be signed (no docusign then – I think the company was brand new then).
Consider the challenges of our reams of paper in this business for someone whose vision is significantly impaired.
Lots of time was spent reading and explaining contract and disclosure language, but he was able to actually sign with a special device he would place on the paper when his signature was required.
The attorney we worked with (Massachusetts is an attorney state) was very understanding and patient throughout, beginning with the Purchase and sale Agreement to the closing documents.
The closing was a particularly rewarding time after spending months looking at homes, finding the right one in Watertown adjacent to Cambridge with terrific transportation, working through the inspection and some repair negotiations, finalizing the financing, and getting through all the paperwork at closing less than a week before Thanksgiving.
What was particularly exciting was they had just learned, and announced, they were pregnant, and with twins! Fortunately they had bought a 3-bedroom home, and the girls were born, as I recall, about 7 months later.
I stay in touch with them and often see updates on Facebook about the family, among other things. I loved this transaction and this first time buyer couple, and all that I learned as a relatively new agent!What a fond memory from more than 13 years ago!
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