I read a post recently about how taking that extra time and going that extra mile, even though you may be thinking that it will result in ZERO dollars in your pocket, often ends up paying BIG!
I'm reminded of a slow day at the office a million years ago when I was a fairly new agent sitting at the "duty desk", waiting (praying) for the phone to ring.
It finally DID ring, and on the other end was a frustrated woman who had called several real estate offices that day. She said, "I'm in town, and I've been calling for days to see if someone would meet with me and I can't get anyone to take me seriously. She went on to explain that her husband, a Colonel in the Army, was retiring after 30 years of service. They were living in Virginia and their plan was to put their home was on the market in a few months and come back to Louisville, their home, in about a year.
She said, "I'm in town and I've left messages for Realtors, but no one will even return my calls." To be honest, I was embarrassed for our industry, and incredulous that no one was willing to meet with her. I said, "Where are you? Can I pick you up and take you to lunch?"
We met at an Asian Restaurant and I had a delightful time chatting with this lady. We spent over two hours together, and promised to stay in touch.
We communicated by phone and mail. (This story dates back BEFORE email). I would send her listings and she would let me know how the sale of her home in Virginia was going. She and her husband came to town, as planned, a year later, and bought a home in an upscale neighborhood in St. Matthews. A short time later her son and daughter-in-law bought a home through me (this was also prior to Jerry joining me in real estate), and then sold that home through me. Another son bought an investment property in downtown Louisville. Julie and Joe decided to sell their St. Matthews home and buy in Prospect. And last year I helped them sell their Prospect home and move to Crestwood. And they have sent several referrals our way over the years.
The moral of this story is obvious: NICE goes a long way. It doesn't always get you to the closing table right away. Sometimes you don't get there at all. Sometimes what you've gained is a lot more important than the commission check: that great feeling that you were nice to a fellow human being.
And sometimes - sometimes the rewards can be great on BOTH fronts: You've made a friend - and - you've been paid for a job well done.
Jacki and Jerry Shafer are TOP PRODUCERS with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Louisville East, selling new and existing homes in Louisville, Kentucky and nearby Oldham, Henry, Shelby and Trimble counties.
Click here to read Jacki's blogs.
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