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Most Positive Experience: The Dream That Takes You Home ...

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina

She was one of those clients that was truly a pleasure to work with.  Her peristence, patience, & steadfast pursuit of a dream ... became a magic moment in my Real Estate Career.  Though young, she was not living an unencumbered life.  With great motives and responsibility, she emerged from a struggle ... with a dream realized.

The name has been changed to protect the admirable.

Lucy came to me with a bundle of burdens in her credit history.  Her passion was simple, to sell the home she currently lived in and buy a new one.  She had made leaps and bounds in her career after schooling and the income was coming in.  It was now time to upgrade.  But the demon's of credit past were still lurking ...

In a tougher (somewhat rightfully so) lending environment, I knew we had work to do.  Actually, she had the work to do.  I could only guide her in the right direction.

After reviewing her credit, I let her know exactly what needed to be done to get the financing to buy that new home that she so had her heart set on.  I was fully expecting to call her back in a couple of months and find that little progress had been made.  Perhaps that is just the cynical side of this Mortgage Broker's cruel self ...

About a month later, I got the call.  Lucy was on the other end of the line and exclaimed, "I'm ready!"

"To buy a home?" I cautiously asked.

"Yes Jason, I did what you told me and paid off all the negative debt I had and I'm ready to go!"

I recall a slight birth of silence on my part.  While I believed her, I was a bit taken aback.  After all, I've dealt with folks for years for whom we've put together a game plan and it never reaches the sweet ides of fruitation.  Yet, she had worked her keister off to put herself in a position of qualifying for that which she so desparately wanted ... that home.

Lo and behold, she was right!  I gathered all the documentation that she kept for her records after paying off her creditors and we re-visited her file and got her pre-approved.  She didn't need or desire to go searching for a home though, she already had one in mind.  It was the same one touting the 'For Sale' sign a month earlier.

An agreement of sale was reached and we were off! 

What transpired was a wrestling match commonly known and encountered these days in our Industry.  At times, we were coming up against odds from parties having little to do with the transaction ... other than complicating it.  Every obstacle was hurdled, though a foot got caught now and again.  A Pre-approval turned into a Committment to Lend which turned into scratching for every inch to reach those three magic words from the Lending Side of Things ... Clear To Close!  I called Lucy and heard the satisfaction in her voice, the relief in mine.  She did good, damn good.  I was just a guide in the ride.

After the ink dried, she was given the keys to her new home.  She clenched them in her hands like a nostalgic piece of jewelry passed on through generations.  Her eyes, welled up, began dripping tears down her cheeks at a rapid and glistening pace.  Lucy then got up of from the closing table and came over to where I was standing.  By this time, her tears were a downfall.  She reached her hand out to shake mine and said words that so simply define the very reason I'm probably even here, "Thank you Jason, thank you so, so, very much."  Her tears persisted and mine were about to follow ... but I held back

I knew right then that humanity had surpassed financial gain, one more moment in our time.

Thank YOU Lucy ... and welcome home.

 

Jason 

 

Anonymous
Sheila Reeves

Jason, what a nice story.  It really feels good to help someone like Lucy and see the resulting happiness for them.  That is when our business (and yours) in helping people buy and sell homes is the most rewarding.  That young woman had a vision and she never lost sight of it.  I'm happy she had someone like you to help her.

 

Jun 19, 2008 02:09 PM
#53
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Jason... just more proof why we both love this job.  Nice story and thanks for sharing....

jeff belonger

Jun 19, 2008 04:11 PM
Jen Olson
First Weber Group Realtors - Marshfield, WI

Jason- This was a moving and incredible story!  It was moving to hear that Lucy was able to realize a dream, but it was equally moving to read how much you care about the clients that you help! 

Jun 19, 2008 05:36 PM
Darcy Rockwell
eMortgage LLC - Latham, NY
Mortgage Consultant

What a great story.  This is why I am in the Mortgage Business. 

Jun 20, 2008 02:18 AM
Christopher Zabka - Social Media Manager
Zolve.com - Colorado Springs, CO

Thanks for sharing this, Jason. Congratulations to you and to Lucy!

Jun 20, 2008 04:02 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

TLW - That's one of the highest compliments you've ever given me.  Thank you!

Lenn - Why doesn't that surprise me:-)  I bet your a marshmallow on the inside though, lol.  Thanks Lenn.

Mike - That's very manly of you my friend!

Russ - I liked your article as well Russ.  I have a deep appreciation for what you touched upon with your words.

David & Kathleen - Why thank you so much!

James - Well put.  I'd bet those clients are some of your greatest referral foot soldiers.

Chuck - That's a fact man, that's a fact.

Greg - An attorney did the closing, she was fantastic!!!  It was a hoot my friend:-)

Tamara - She paid off everything she needed to pay-off to go ahead and get approved.  Generally, with hard work and persistence, it takes 6-12 months if you are doing it right.  Hers was an unique case.

Jennifer - You are on your own there;-)

Joetta - Best of luck with your party & post!

Ian - I don't know why it's taken me this long to write about that particular experience.

Shaun - I sure hope so, thanks!

Sheila - Thank you for stopping by.  She certainly did a fantastic job!

Jeff - Thanks for keeping your comment less than 400 words ;-)

Jen - Yup!  I must admit, I truly did almost break down myself at the closing.

Darcy - You and me both.

Christopher - Thanks and have a great weekend!

Jun 20, 2008 05:45 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Sardi...

I came back for three reasons...

1. I couldn't remember what I said :)

2. I want the last word on your pretty post.

3. I get 25 points to come back and tell you all of this :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jun 20, 2008 11:31 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

TLW - There's one chap who gets last word on my post my dear, Me!

(I've took it upon myself to email to entire AR staff to dock you 25 points for excessive commenting.  While I know giving those folks my digits is a dangerous thing, I'm on mission over here:-)

Jun 20, 2008 12:24 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital


Ah, Jason!  Stories like this one remind me of what it's really all about!  Thanks.

Jun 21, 2008 04:20 AM
Michelle Harris
MichelleHarrisHomes.com - Dallas, PA

She was very fortunate to have found you.... a caring agent

As a new agent (6 months) I have found that in real estate you become a coach and trusted adviser.

Jun 21, 2008 05:12 AM
Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate
RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA. - San Leandro, CA
"The Realtors In Motion"

Way to go Jason! at times like these we do need stories like that one! Good timing, good writing, keep on puting happy faces to everything you do! Remember WHEN YOU SMILE... IT INCREASES YOUR FACE VALUE!

Antonio M. Cardenas, "The Realtors In Motion" in San Leandro, CA. www.ListedbyAntonio.com

Jun 21, 2008 07:01 AM
Desiree Daniels
RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Sorry I am late to the party.........   Great story..   Its people like Lucy that make me love my job.   Knowing that YOU made a difference, took the time, helped and enabled her to reach her end goal.

Thank YOU Jason for having the knowledge and follow through to help the "Lucys" of the world.

 

Jun 21, 2008 08:05 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Patricia - It reminded me of what it is all about as well.

Michelle - I think you'll find this site to a valuable tool to your new career!

Antonio & Alexia - Well put.  I'll work on that 'smiling' thing;-)

Dez - That means a lot coming from you ... thanks!

Jun 21, 2008 11:13 AM
* Rate A Home
Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Jason, how awesome for "Lucy" and what a great feeling for you, and to top it off with the bonus of great feelings, you actually get paid for providing the excellent service you did, to kewl!!!!

Jun 22, 2008 03:54 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Jason, I am choking up here!  You enabled her to get her dream.  Good one.

Jun 22, 2008 06:24 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Duane - It certainly was an AWESOME experience and one I will never forget.

Virginia - She really does deserve the bulk of the credit.  Thank you!

Jun 23, 2008 02:25 AM
Anonymous
kevin A. Stroud

Jason,

     That must have been a great experience.  Being in the Title Industry, mostly what I hear now a days is the opposite.  I bet that perked things up and helped you intereact with some of your customers that you just know in your heart will not be doing anything that you have advised them to do.  Keep up the good fight, things can not stay this way forever.

     BTW, may I use your story with all credit to you in my weekly emails to my customers in MD, PA, DC, VA and NJ?

Kevin, eSettle, llc

Jun 23, 2008 03:08 AM
#69
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Kevin - Boy, do I hear you.  I'm working on some doozies right now, so it's always nice to be able to share the good along with the not so good.  Feel free to use this story, I appreciate it.

Jun 23, 2008 03:16 AM
Sara Goodwin
Estimation Nation Corporation - Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon Appraiser

Now this is what the real estate industry should always be about.  Lovely.

Jun 24, 2008 05:19 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Sara - I hear you there.  Thank you!

Jun 24, 2008 05:29 AM