Do you do that for all of your clients? Are you insane?!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Rush Point Realty LLC, Victoria Frieberg, broker

Ok, since they are two different questions, there should be two different answers.  No, I do not mow grass, rake yards, clean up cobwebs and shovel walks...generally.  When the client is elderly, a spouse has been put in the hospital, a family is needed elsewhere..yep, I do what I can to help.  Sometimes it turns into a pretty long haul of providing services I meant to offer a couple times...but life happens. I have two homes listed near mine, one where the husband was admitted to a nursing home and his wife cannot possibly pay for services...and the other an elderly gentleman who does not quite get that spiderwebs are not God's decorating idea (except on Christmas trees).

Both an agent and a neighbor have stopped me this month and asked if I am insane.  Why in the world would you be doing this?..Welllll,..because I can. Because their homes will not sell if someone does not step up..because it is the right thing to do..because for some reason, I was here when they needed me on another level beside real estate agent..just because..

I believe there are many agents out there that 'do' for their clients..quietly and out of the goodness of their hearts..this Sunday, I salute you all...and yes, I am insane.

 

Comments (5)

Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, MD
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Victoria, it's definitely not our job, but sometimes it's the only thing that we can do.  I've mowed my share of lawns and shoveled plenty of snow.  Without those two things the houses would have never sold.  Do I do it?  Sometimes.  Am I insane?  Maybe.  8-)  Suggested!

Jul 24, 2011 01:08 AM
Dan Hopper
Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO
Denver Broker / Author / Advocate/Short Sale

I thnk it is important for us to step up to the task and assist in any way to help the seller out.  Does not necessarily mean that I must do the work, but have someone that I keep in my "contact' list who can do that work for me and the seller.  It also, does not mean that I pay for it out of my pocket, but to offer such services to my clients, I will expect to get compensated (reimbursed) for procurring that service.  Everytime, the seller has NEVER complained that they had to pay for that service at closing.  In fact, they were happy to pay for that!!  Why?  We sold the property!!

Jul 24, 2011 01:44 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I'll sweep walks and get properties ready for showing.  I am actually paying my yard service to do a friend's yard because of the hillside and her health....small kindness for a great friend because I can!

Jul 24, 2011 01:46 AM
Surprise Arizona Realtor Jim Braun Sun City Grand Active Adult Communities
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Jim Braun Sun City Grand Az - Surprise, AZ
Surprise AZ real estate Phoenix West Valley

Victoria: Count me in! Some think I help to much. I call it my volunteer duties as I do not volunteer as much as I would like do to scheduling and time constraints. I guess it is a way for me to give back or pay it forward.

Jul 24, 2011 02:04 AM
Victoria Frieberg
Rush Point Realty LLC, Victoria Frieberg, broker - Rush City, MN
Realtor, Broker, Rush Point Realty LLC

If it is a client who can well afford to hire it done, I agree..I will give them my contacts and let them take care of it.  But sometimes, mostly with my wonderful elderly clients, the cost is prohibitive for them.  My market is country..and a yard is most likely .75 of an acre or more!  At $50-75 per week for mowing, they just can't do it.  I don't do a manicure..but I can clip!  I agree with you Jim, I wish I could volunteer more..so this is a way to give back.  One client pays me back with a prayer for my family every night...I'd say I can use all of those I can get!

Jul 24, 2011 02:58 AM

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