Today I had the pleasure of running into some of my favorite past clients. None of them knew (yet) that I had left the business and gotten a new job so they were all surprised to say the least!

The first couple (Jeff & Lee) I met back in 2005. I helped them relocate from Florida to Illinois and along the way we developed a friendship. I also helped them buy a new house in 2007 and we tried (in vain) to sell a condo they own last year. We've been trading phone calls and emails for several months but I hadn't told them that I had left the business because I felt our friendship deserved that I deliver the news in person. As we caught up and I filled them in on my new life, they were so wonderfully supportive and complimentary. I told them that when the time came to put the condo back on the market that I would gladly refer them to another terrific agent. They said, "Kel, no one could possibly do everything you did for us." Awwww.

While running errands, I also ran into another of my favorite past clients. I completely admire this young woman who, as a single woman with a terrific job, bought a house of her own (and renovated it!) a few years ago. As we chatted and caught up, it occurred to me how many of my past clients I thoroughly enjoyed working with. Karen is definitely one of them.

I then stopped by Ann Taylor Loft (losing 12 pounds means new pants, yay!) and ran into yet another terrific past client. As I filled her in on my new dream job she said the most amazing thing, "I wish I could find a job like that!" No one ever coveted my real estate job (except the ones that thought it was all about looking at pretty houses, lol). In fact, when I was an agent most people went out of their way to mention that there was no way they could ever be a real estate agent (the crazy hours, the nights and weekends, the instability). But, having had a cutie-pie of a new baby recently, Katie saw my new work hours, schedule and vacation as a huge benefit. So do I!

It's always gratifying and fun to run into past clients. I love hearing all the renovation and decorating updates, learning of marriages and babies, and catching up. When you work with someone for several weeks or months and share in such an important milestone in someones life, you develop a relationship that (in many cases) transcends the transaction. In my opinion, it says a lot about the type of agent you are (or were) if you can count your clients among your friends!

It's been a terrific week for me. I started my new job on Monday, had the pleasure of having my son (who is in college) home for the weekend, and then ran into some wonderful past clients (er, I mean friends). Oh yeah, I also got paid on Friday. Hallelujah!

If you are a consumer looking for a good real estate agent, give me a call. As a referral agent (I'm no longer involved in the day to day real estate business), I can help match you with the perfect agent to help you buy or sell your home.