I have to admit that like many people, I misjudged someone.
Here's the story. Last fall my mother-in-law passed away. She had passed 90 and still lived in her own home, alone, but a fall and complications took their toll. She lived on Bainbridge Island, Wa, a few miles from her daughter Ellen. Her other daughter and I are Realtors® only 10 miles, a ferry ride and light years away. Ellen and Marjie's brother Scott lives in New Hampshire.
The home would eventually be put on the market and since Marjie and I are in the business, we knew what had to be done, but because of that ferry ride we opted not to list this home. It is out of our area and expertise. The three siblings went about interviewing three local agents as the three in-laws continued preparing the house for market. Of course it went against my better instincts to keep my big fat nose out of the interviews, but I managed. The siblings selected Eileen Black to represent them.
I noted that Eileen had signed on to ActiveRain at one time but never really engaged. I checked her other listings at the time and she seemed to be working in a price range that tripled the projected value of my mother-in-law's home. Stupid me. I thought she wouldn't really give the siblings the time of day once this property was listed.
Lesson learned. I was way wrong. With a great deal of patience while certain work was being done and the season changed and the principals' vacations ended the property, with some final recommendations from Eileen, came on the market. There were two offers after the first open house and one was accepted, but the buyer backed out a few days later because she couldn't build a certain fence there. Undaunted, Eileen kept Ellen, the executrix, informed daily. The next week she managed to feature the home in the local newspaper, and an all cash buyer, who wasn't intending to buy anything at the moment put in an offer that was accepted and closed.
From my perspective and the phone conversations I overheard, there was a lot of work that went into the process and Eileen did an amazing job. My somewhat worrisome sister-in-law was well informed and finally admitted that she didn't realize that her sister and I had so much work to do with each transaction.
I applaud the work of Eileen Black and would recommend her for any listing in any price range on Bainbridge Island in the future. If you live there, make a note. She will serve your needs as a buyer or as a seller.
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