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To Whom It May Concern...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

 

daisyI met them early one evening several months ago.  They were young, attractive and articulate.  This was going to be their first home and they had questions...lots of them.  They had been referred to me and as we talked about the process and what they could anticipate, I began to appreciate a keen understanding of their shared goals and purpose. Remarkable as they were newly weds who had mastered what many couples fail to achieve after years of married life.

Like all journeys, you can never be quite sure where the road will lead.  We started looking for properties which could double as an investment opportunity.  In a market which was still doing the upheaval dance, this was a fail-safe approach.  But, as the process continued...the desire for a home of their own which they could love and share with just their family and friends surfaced strongly.  Through it all, Therese Vandermeer, our Client Specialist coordinated the transaction with skill and patience.

The results were well worth it!  Their new home is beautiful.  It's an older home near a park which has been painstakingly and lovingly re-finished.  Unique accents like gorgeous antiqued radiators plus a beautiful kitchen make the home a place which you can fall in love with all over again...everyday. 

It's always a joy to help others fulfill their goals and dreams.  Over the years, we've received numerous hugs, e-mails and Thank You Cards.  I keep them.  These letters are meaningful reminders to me about Why I am willing to do what I do.  However, this letter was special.  You see, it wasn't written to me.

 

January 21, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

penAfter my husband got a new job, we needed to move.  Having been married just over a year, we were not planning to become homeowners so soon, but seeing that the market seemed to favor buyers, we decided to look into purchasing our first home.  We received a personal referral from a close friend to consider Audu Real Estate.  After our initial meeting with Lola Audu, we knew we had found the right real estate agency.

Lola was very personable and genuinely interested in our needs.  She asked us what kind of things we were looking for in a home, but she also asked us what our personal interests were and where we saw ourselves in the future.  We enjoyed the conversation and were impressed by the holistic approach that Lola took.  In addition she explained many of the home buying process basics.

This was great as we were unfamiliar with the process.  Lola stressed that she wanted us to understand every step so when the process ended, we would know how we got there.  We left that initial meeting every excited about our decision to pursue home ownership.

After choosing some homes we were interested in seeing from the website, we were connected with Therese VanderMeer, one of the agents at Audu Real Estate.  She communicated with us regularly by phone and e-mail in order to set up home showings.  Her accessibility and professionalism were wonderful.  We were on a bit of an accelerated time schedule as we needed to buy a home and move within just a couple months. 

Therese worked diligently to set up showings and was very flexible with out work schedules.  Any time we had a question, Therese was more than willing to take the extra time to explain things to us or look up the information we  needed.

When we choose the home we wanted, Therese and Lola walked us through every step of the process from making an offer to having an inspection and finally closing.  On the day we closed, we were so excited to be homeowners.  Therese and Lola gave us a beautiful and heartfelt gift as well as a very touching card.  We were so amazed by their generosity and the personal touches of the gifts.

We would highly recommend Audu Real Estate to anyone wanting to buy or sell a home.  The professionalism, customer service, and integrity we experienced made what can be a very stressful process so wonderful.  We love our new home and feel very blessed to have had the privilege of working with Audu Real Estate!

Sincerely,

Two Satisfied home owners 

 

This is why I do what I do everyday.  It's not about the size of the deal or how much money I can make.  It's about helping people to achieve their goals.  It's about Celebrating the Joy and Satisfaction that comes from owning a place of one's own.  It's about knowing that a family or individual was well served and is happy. There's no commission big enough to deliver all of that!

*They gave me permission to use this letter & their names.  However, I would like to protect their privacy.

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

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Comments(19)

Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate
Lolo, I agree. It's not always about the paycheck.  It's about doing the right thing and helping good people.  There's not another good feeling like that one.  Great job.
Feb 20, 2008 12:13 PM
Stefan Scholl
Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC - Petoskey, MI
Northern Michigan Real Estate
What a wonderful testimonial, Lola.  Congratulation on your success, and that of your clients.
Feb 20, 2008 12:23 PM
Marc Grossman
Marc It Sold! - Longwood, FL
GRI, Greater Orlando Real Estate Broker
Lola,  That is so nice.  This is exactly why we do what we do!
Feb 20, 2008 12:29 PM
Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent
Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA
What a wonderful letter Lola!  You and Therese made your clients feel heard and included in the process, and most of all helped them into a lovely home that will live in and enjoy for many years.
Feb 20, 2008 12:33 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Lola,

Nice story! In my opinion this should be evident in every real estate transaction:

 "In addition she explained many of the home buying process basics.

This was great as we were unfamiliar with the process.  Lola stressed that she wanted us to understand every step so when the process ended, we would know how we got there." 

Thanks, and I salute you for that comment!!! Thanks,   Fran 

Feb 20, 2008 01:52 PM
Ken Tharp
Iowa Equity Exchange - West Des Moines, IA
Section 1031 Exchanges, Iowa/U.S.

Lola - Congratulations on receiving this letter and on seeing the big picture. 

Ken Tharp, Iowa Equity Exchange 

Feb 20, 2008 02:23 PM
Evan Vanderwey
Cornerstone Home Loans - Okemos, MI
The Cashflow Coach
Lola, I agree with your sentiment that letters like this make everything else worthwhile.  I believe it was Zig Ziglar that said, "profit is the praise you get when you do a great job."  Thanks for a good reminder of what's most important.
Feb 20, 2008 02:24 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Lola~

 Bravo-Brava!!!...and especially for this you say..."This is why I do what I do everyday.  It's not about the size of the deal or how much money I can make.  It's about helping people to achieve their goals.  It's about Celebrating the Joy and Satisfaction that comes from owning a place of one's own.  It's about knowing that a family or individual was well served and is happy. There's no commission big enough to deliver all of that!"

Feb 20, 2008 02:50 PM
Fran Gatti
RE/MAX Integrity - Medford, OR
Managing Principal Broker - RE/MAX Integrity

Lola,

Looks like they were blessed to find you and you were blessed with wonderful clients. 

Feb 20, 2008 03:03 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI
I get teary eyed reading those types of letters.  This is one you and Therese will want to keep forever as well as keep in touch with this very special couple.
Feb 20, 2008 10:27 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate
What a beautiful story and letter.  Like you, this is exactly why I am in real estate...nothing else comes close!  Your clients are certainly lucky to have you!
Feb 21, 2008 12:47 AM
Lori Gilmore
Baird & Warner Real Estate - Joliet, IL
Realtor - Will County Illinois
Lola -- Beautiful letter and well deserved praise.  I love first time homebuyers. . .they are so excited and moved by having a "home"  Makes each day fun.    
Feb 21, 2008 03:00 AM
Jon Mitchell
Classic Property Management - Santa Clarita, CA
Hey Lola!  Great story.  It always gets to me when someone takes the time to let you know that you are appreciated.  Keep up the great work!
Feb 21, 2008 07:38 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
Thanks so much for sharing that!  It is an awesome letter and I KNOW how it made you feel.  Those are the moments that matter the most!
Feb 21, 2008 07:41 AM
Rosario Lewis
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY
Receiving a testimonial like this definitely feels good, but not all clients have the skills to demonstrate their satisfaction so eloquently. A simple note from some can mean as much.
Feb 21, 2008 09:11 AM
Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

That is a beautiful letter, Lola.  From what I can tell it was very much earned. Very nice job.  Jesse

Feb 21, 2008 06:12 PM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
Lola - great idea, turning their letter into a post! I will have to copy that one! hope you don't mind -
Feb 21, 2008 11:11 PM
Maria Cutrona
Century 21 Lakeside Realty - Austintown, OH
ASP

Lola,

Nice Letter!  It is always a good feeling when buyers and/or sellers alike have a way of showing how great we did!  :)

Maria Cutrona 

Feb 22, 2008 12:15 PM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals
Hi Lola-I love when a customer is extremely happy and I love Therese...I think they were in very good hands!
Feb 22, 2008 03:20 PM