My clients home sold!

In our business we have all sorts of strategies to sell homes.  We price the home competitively.  We help them decide what improvements (if any) to make.  We advertise the home.  We make filers.  We have open houses (some of us).  We remain in contact with our sellers.  We talk up our listings.  We have knowledge of the other homes in the area of the listing.

You do all this and list the home.   Sometimes nothing happens.  You get nervous.  You try to explain to the client that we might need a price reduction.  Nothing is happening.  You have a joint open house with the other agents in the listing area.   You bite your nails (not really).  Then you go on vacation.  

My client is a wonderful 82 year old widow who needs to leave the area to go to her family.   After a while it is a waiting game filled with some price reductions.   You even play games such as changing the price by $10 to get it seen again on the computers.   5 Agents have shown the property.  Some decided against the town.  One got into a car accident with her clients at the end of the day.  Everybody likes the home.  You know if you can get 10 buyers in the home you will have an offer.

When I went to Florida for a family occasion I teased my client and said that since I was going away we would get an offer.  No real estate agent is allowed to go on vacation undisturbed.  She laughed at my optimism.  I left on Friday and there was no activity until Monday.  I was feeling depressed.  I like my client and she needs her home sold so she can get on with her life. On Monday it happens!  The home is shown.   Then the agent shows it again.  On my way to the airport I get a call from the other agent that tells me that they submitted an offer.  Can I let them know today?

I tell them that I am about to board a plane.  My client doesn't have email and she is having an infusion today for cancer.  I would be at her home to discuss the contract at 9 AM the next day.   We counter once.  The deal is pending.  The inspection is done.  

I should go on vacation more often.  I sold my clients home.