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.
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.
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.
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.
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😊!
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.
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