In these "hard economic times" we have a choice. We can either seek out positive items to drive us daily or sit at our desks wringing our hands and bemoaning the fact that "nobody is buying houses." (You've undoubtedly noticed by now my penchant for the use of quotes.) As for me, I have chosen the former. That being said, let me share a story with you...
I was back to work on Wednesday after a week out of town. Of course, as we all know, you're only as employed as your last closing, so I was really concentrating on how to make up the lost time...over a nice lunch. Then it happened, that thing we live for, my cell phone rang and the caller said she was calling because she wanted to buy a house and was referred to me by a previous client. The connection wasn't great so I made an appointment for her later that afternoon.
When she came to the office, we had the usual first conversation: Her current situation, what her housing parameters were, prequalification, the home buying process and what to expect, etc. I went ahead and got her prequalification information and called it in to the lender. While waiting for the call back, we were chatting about different thing, including how she was referred to me.
(Now here's where it gets good)
She proceeded to tell me how she works with one of my previous buyer clients and when she (the new buyer) mentioned she was looking for a rental house, my previous client began to extol the value home ownership and of working with a Realtor and specifically, of how positive her transaction was. I believe her exact words were "You have to call Richard. He can get it done. If you think you can't buy a house, check with Richard. If it can be done, he will get it done." So effective was she in her praise that this lady took a chance and called me. Well, long story short, we were able to get her prequalified and we are looking at houses on Tuesday. During the conversation, she mentioned she was from Fort Lauderdale and I told her I had just returned form there (remember my week off) and that I was recently licensed there and I was starting my business there. She said she had a sister there who was looking to buy a house and she would give me her number. Another warm lead. What was that about "hard economic times?"
What a pick me up that whole experience was. Speaking for myself, this is why I am in this business...to help people. Knowing that what I did for one client had such a positive impact on them that they would become an advocate for me makes what could be grim times so much brighter.
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