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Tears of Relief

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Bain

Tears of Relief

I'm Sorry

I had just delivered the news over the phone to my client, and she was crying. The only words she could muster for over a minute were, "I'm sorry." There was nothing she needed to be sorry for. I was savoring the moment, holding back a tear or two myself. I had just told her that her short sale had been approved and that the lien holder had committed in clear, unambiguous terms that her remaining mortgage debt was being forgiven in full.

Disbelief

My client's friends and even her attorney had told her that even if a short sale was approved, the remaining debt would never be forgiven. I had actually been on the phone with her and her attorney when the attorney told her that. "Is there anything to lose by giving a short sale our best try," I had asked? The attorney had agreed there wasn't anything to lose. And now my client had just won. It was overwhelming and hard for her to believe.

Gratitude

It is an understatement to say that my client was very grateful. This was a fresh start that she didn't believe she would get, and one that she needed. I was very grateful, too. This was a short sale that I believed could be successful, and I had been given the opportunity to prove it and collect a priceless reward; a client whose expectations were far exceeded and the satisfaction of having helped make it so.

Comments (8)

CA COASTAL ESTATES Lauren Selinsky Perez CRS
California Coastal Estates - Aliso Viejo, CA
"Your Real Estate Broker" #oclauren

That is fabulous David! I am quite surprised that they said it would not be settled as most cases that I have translated for a firm here in Southern CA for, get settled. A matter of fact one of the attorney's I translate for has an office in the Seattle area. The number is 800-679-4212, Joseph Creed, he should be joining AR soon, as I have been bugging him to do so ;) Congrats! for doing such a great job for your clients!

Jan 14, 2011 06:41 PM
Christine McDaniel
Christine McDaniel Realty, LLC - Avon, IN
Broker Associate

Makes it all worth while doesn't it?  :)  Congratulations you've earned clients for life

Jan 14, 2011 06:55 PM
Joetta Fort
The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO
Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Wonderful story, congratulations! This is really ticking me off, people saying you 'can't' get mortgage debt forgiven. I recently had to send a sampling of past letters from lien holders to a short sale client, because her mother and brother were insisting it was impossible.

Jan 15, 2011 08:52 AM
David North
Coldwell Banker Bain - Duvall, WA
for a rewarding real estate experience

Lauren, thanks for your comments. As we all know, there are brokers who negotiate to win for their clients, and brokers who negotiate to get their next commission check as quickly as possible. Unfortunately there are enough of the latter that have left their clients hanging unknowingly with unforgiven debt, that there are plenty of true horror stories fueling the advice that they receive from others.

Jan 15, 2011 09:16 AM
David North
Coldwell Banker Bain - Duvall, WA
for a rewarding real estate experience

Christine, you're so right. My passion for what I do is fed by the difference my work makes for my clients. If it was just about making money, I'd be doing something else.

Jan 15, 2011 09:28 AM
David North
Coldwell Banker Bain - Duvall, WA
for a rewarding real estate experience

Joetta, there are plenty of true stories floating around of people whose debt was not forgiven when they thought it was. And of course there are some true stories floating around of people whose debt was not forgiven because it darn well shouldn't have been forgiven. But so far, in all of the short sales I've negotiated, my clients' mortgage debt has been forgiven. Unfortunately, there are a lot of well-meaning people unknowingly giving bad advice, and I guess we have to live with that reality.

Jan 15, 2011 10:03 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

great post and THIS is exactly what makes all the BS, trials and tribulations we go through with those that don't understand or appreciate what we do worthwhile!

KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!

Apr 16, 2013 01:50 PM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

That's a great outcome. I can really feel the emotion in your words. Very well done, and worthy.

Apr 17, 2013 03:26 AM