When I work with clients who are a couple, I can’t help but be moved when I see that they honor one another. Truly I believe that some of them do things for one another that the other will NEVER know was done, because it’s become so second nature to them, so seamless.
I toured out-of-state clients in a whirlwind one weekend. So many houses to see in a short period of time. Each seemed to come up short of what the husband wanted for his beloved wife. I suggested we stop for lunch, discuss the properties a bit, then run a new search at my office and see what we could still get in to see that afternoon.
We sat at the table in the restaurant, discussing houses. His wife, meanwhile, was torn between two selections on the menu. Deciding on one, lo and behold, he ordered the other, as it turns out... so that she could sample off of both plates. She smiled at him, thanked him, and thoroughly enjoyed her meal.
Back to my office we went, located properties better suited to his goals (and about $25,000 higher than he’d said he wanted to pay), and went back out on tour. We actually did locate the right property that day and I knew it the minute we walked in the door. She lit up and upon him seeing that, he visibly relaxed.
Negotiations went smoothly, as did inspections and appraisal. We were there when the Wood Destroying Insect Inspector pointed out that the Seller had treated for bugs, due to the evidence of dead flying ants. My Buyer, the wife, exclaimed, "They won't turn into termites, will they?" "No," the inspector kindly replied. "They're ants and they're dead." No insult in his tone, no laughter at her expense, though remembering it does give me a chuckle. And no, her husband didn't take advantage of her comment.
The day arrived for settlement and following the walk-through, we drove to the attorney’s office. I watched as they got out of their car, and he did the sweetest thing. He opened the door for her, no surprise to me there, but when she turned, her dress was caught up at the hem a bit. Without her even being aware, he smoothed it so she looked perfect. She would never know he did that, it was such a quick and surreptitious maneuver, but it fit with all the little things he did to make her life sweet.
When he calls me with questions, which he does from time to time, I instantly remember his kindness and it makes me smile. May we all be blessed with clients with kind hearts!
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