You hired another Realtor ... but I still love you

A very good friend revealed to me recently that they had their home on the market as a short sale ... with another agent.

Even though we had spoken at great length about me handling the listing, when the time was right. Even though the agent hired was the very same agent who apparently screwed up their parents' short-sale listing and allowed it to go to auction.

And it stung for a second. But just for a second. That's about how long it took for me to realize I was being immature and selfish.

Not too long ago, I had an epiphany. It happened just about the time that three close friends and a family member began to lose their homes. During the 2007-2008 downturn in real estate, we came pretty close to going down ourselves. I remember the sleepless nights, desperately wracking my brain for a solution. I know how it feels to be on the verge of losing everything, so when those closest to me started falling into the same pit, I decided that I would do anything I could to help them out. That mission has now expanded to everyone in distress, anyone who needs my help.

So when my very good friend told me he listed his home with another agent, I winced for a second. And then I regained my composure, because the most important question wasn't, "Why didn't you hire me?" The most important question was, "Is everything going alright?" I know that he's trying to do the right thing for his wife and children.

I'm still here to help my friend, and if he wants my help, I will light someone up on his behalf. Without compensation.

All he has to do is ask. Because he's my very good friend, and I love him like a brother.

And because my friendship doesn't come with the condition of being his Realtor of choice.

(Brian Bean is a real estate broker and ambassador for Helping A Million Homeowners, a nationwide organization that is committed to helping alleviate the financial stress that so many homeowners face today. He can be reached directly at Brian@BigDreamInc.com.)

Brian Bean
Real Estate Professional
www.DreamBigRealEstate.com
www.IEShortSalePros.com
www.HelpingAMillionHomeowners.com

I've been specially trained to negotiate short sales with an emphasis on deficiency waivers.

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau