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It's February and Love is in the Air: this transaction was a true...

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 01238708

It’s February and Love is in the Air: this transaction was a true test of all my skills… (This post was inspired by my friend Lisa Von Domek wanting to know about transactions we look back and loved)

Sometimes the most challenging and difficult transactions become the most memorable ones. Well, maybe I should clarify it, the most difficult clients make the transaction more memorable. Since it is almost Valentine’s Day I might as well write about this transaction.

Just to give you a little background: I was representing a first-time buyer, who happened to work for a law firm and she had little trust for anyone. She read every document and had a long list of questions. She knew that my integrity was unquestionable, and I would never mislead her, never the less she read every page of every document. Just to be clear she has known me for over 24+ years.

Now back to my story: I was not accustomed to having to answer so many questions and kept telling myself, how much more I prefer working with developers and repeat buyers and repeat sellers who get the idea and we do not have to go over every item line by line. In all fairness I have high respect for those Realtors who represent first time buyers and have the patience to answer the emotional insecurities that go along with the first-time home buyers.

www.endrebarath.com

The good news was, that she listened to me when I asked if she was serious in buying a house? I explained that in a fast market with little inventory, she needed to be ready. Hence the financing, the proof of funds, the preapproval was all lined up.

Now I just needed to have her understand what you get for her price point in Los Angeles. We looked at homes in many different neighborhoods. Ultimately, she decided on Westchester, CA in the 90045-zip code, since it was close to her work and where she has lived for the past 20+ years.

www.endrebarath.com

She did not want a Condominium or a Townhome, she specifically wanted a house.  We learned this after viewing Condominiums and Townhomes in Marina Del Rey, CA.

Unfortunately, in Los Angeles that means, you would need to buy a home that needs your personal touches and clearly needs some updating. This is when the challenge became even more interesting, trying to find a home that is not a heavy fixer, a home that is move in ready, but the updates can be done over time. A home that has a back yard and a front yard and still has three bedrooms and two baths with a good layout.

www.endrebarath.com

Hence, I had to explain that Holidays and weekends needed to be dedicated to finding the right home. Once we found it, then it would require instant decision making i.e.: looked at the house today, write the offer tonight.

The search was not easy, the learning curve was OK and once we narrowed down the location it became a question of compromising on the size, location and condition of the home. Now with that said the search became more focused.

Once we found the house, yes as you expected it, of course it was in multiple offers with the opportunity to give “The best and final” in a Counter Offer. More educating, more hand holding and giving solid advice of what a best and final offer consists of. The long and short of it: The good news was her offer was accepted.

Going on four years, I hear it on a regular basis, how much she loves her house and her neighbors. Congratulations to Diane, for listening to your Realtor and having viewed the home on Memorial Day Weekend and writing an offer on Memorial Day weekend.

www.endrebarath.com

There is nothing more rewarding than having a happy client in Real Estate, the only thing happier is when the client is your other half. Needless to say I am proud to say I was able to help the most difficult client not only buy a house, but help her find a house that she enjoys every day and looks forward to coming home to it. On the flip side she hates to leave her house😊!

www.endrebarath.com

 

If you are looking for a focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly!

If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly!! If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com.  I contribute a portion of my commission to local animal rescue organizations.

 

Comments (23)

Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Endre. Patience here really paid off! Enjoy your day!

Feb 14, 2018 03:32 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Endre, your spouse would be the hardest client. Looks like you did a good job with your first-time buyer/spouse.   Glad you both are happy in your home. Happy Valentines Day to you and Diane.

Feb 14, 2018 03:56 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Endre.  I guessed at where this story was going.  I am glad you two found the right home.

Feb 14, 2018 04:34 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Gotta love those happily ever after endings !

Feb 14, 2018 04:48 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I enjoyed reading your story. Thank so for sharing. Happy  Valentine’s Day to you and your wife.

Feb 14, 2018 05:09 AM
Golden1 Agents
San Mateo, CA

Thank you for sharing this.

Feb 14, 2018 05:52 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Endre. I was even a bit stressed as I read this post. Glad she finally pulled the trigger and is happy.

Feb 14, 2018 06:33 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I appreciate clients asking questions, I think I would learn a lot about the contract and such if I had to answer questions for an attorney, haha.

Feb 14, 2018 09:30 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Endre you had your share of challenges to overcome with this one, but you were up to the task!!!

Feb 14, 2018 10:51 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Laura Cerrano  thank you for stopping in tell your Valentine to buy a bottle of Bubbly:) that is what is in the glass, Endre

Feb 14, 2018 10:54 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

James Dray  a few over the years:)Endre

Feb 14, 2018 10:55 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Wayne Martin  it was challenging at times:)Endre

Feb 14, 2018 10:56 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

We think engineers & attorneys are the toughest clients when it comes to Contracts when in fact, it is our spouses who are the toughest! 

SO happy to hear that Diane loves your spot and appreciates her Realtor® who even showed homes on Memorial Day weekend to his 'client!' LOL

Great story, Endre!

Feb 15, 2018 06:17 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Truer words were never spoken on this blog! Love and light and all the best to you, as I just said earlier

Feb 15, 2018 11:56 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Hold the presses... I just figured out who your buyer was!!!! (Am I right?)

Your perseverance paid off, and congratulations on winning the sale in a multiple offer situation.

Feb 16, 2018 06:56 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Now that was quite the challenge Endre Barath, Jr. what a cute story, the way you told it.  A lovely entry for our love contest my friend!

Mar 01, 2018 07:48 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® it took a lot of years to make her a buyer:))Endre

Mar 01, 2018 09:32 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Gabe Sanders  it was not easy:))Endre

Mar 01, 2018 09:33 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Sally K. & David L. Hanson  and she is getting me referrals from her circle of influence:))Endre

Mar 01, 2018 09:33 PM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Endre, I think friends and family can be our toughest customers. It was quite a bit order for you to fulfill but I knew if anyone could pull it off, it would be you. Congratulations! Diana

Mar 15, 2018 09:14 PM