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How Do You Eat an Elephant?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) DRE# 00949880

    How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.  That old line came to mind when I first was introduced to this Lincoln Village home that recently sold.

    We listed this home at the end of 2019, but the story started a little over a year ago.  We were working on another home in Stockton a few blocks away doing estate sales and cleaning it up (This Longview house).  A friend from high school saw the work we were doing on a Facebook post and reached out to me to see if I was interested in helping their family with their estate home sale.  This home was in better shape than the home on Longveiw ave., but there would still be a lot to do.  

   Front Bedroom              Living Room

     They were ready to move forward in October.  The first time we met, everything seemed a little overwhelming.  The house was full of furniture and decades worth of belongings to straighten out or sell before we could get the house on the market. Both of my clients, my wife and I all worked together.  We made a great team! After the family went through and picked out all of their keepsakes, we sorted through everything else together and then had a series of estate sales.  After the first couple of sales, we dropped prices considerably and by the last day, there was not much left. We were able to donate most of the remaining items to charity.  The rest was relatively easy.  We put the home on the market and it sold quickly.

Here is what my new friends had to say:

Keiko-

Raymond Henson helped us prepare my mother-in-law’s home for sale. He and his wife, Mary Margaret, helped us clean out the house and helped us with the estate sale. Tom and I did not no where or how to start so Ray’s experience and help made us feel less overwhelmed. Ray helped sell the house in less than three months! He gave us a time line of what to expect next and explained if we did not understand. An awesome Realtor!!!

Tom-

Ray did a fantastic job job in selling my mothers house for me and my wife. i would recommend him for anything related to the sale of your home.I think he and his wife went far beyond what he was hired for, to help us sell and get through all the paper work. I would recommend him for any job that he does.

 

If you have a house that you are ready to sell, I would be glad to help.  .It is a big job so reach out a few months before you are ready to sell.  It makes the process less stressful. 

 

Feel free to call me at 916-698-8414.

Tips for selling your home

Original Listing Post

Past Client Recommendations

Posted by

             eXp Realty of California, Inc

Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI, e-Pro

Past Client Testimonials   

3412 Babson Drive

Elk Grove, CA 95758

RayRHenson@gmail.com

916-698-8415

 

 

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jan 25, 2020 06:30 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

You illustrate the value in hiring a great real estate agent. And you're right, it takes a lot of focus and patience and perseverance to get some sold. Well done to you Raymond. D 

Jan 26, 2020 07:46 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Kathy Streib  , thank you very much.  This was a post I was on the fence about and almost did not write.  I am thankful that it turned out useful.  I appreciate being featured on, What I Learned This Week.

Thank you Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD.  I do what I can and try to make the process as smooth as I can for my clients.

Jan 26, 2020 07:55 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Raymond Henson and explanation. It has been a while since I heard it but will remember it after reading this!

Jan 26, 2020 09:39 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Raymond Henson - that best way to tackle a large amount of work is step by step. I am sure that they appreciated you helping them through it.

Jan 26, 2020 01:39 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Raymond Henson 

Love the way you used the title to get our attention. Glad you got off the fence and wrote this post. 

Jan 26, 2020 04:25 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Raymond Henson,

Wow so glad that Kathy Streib featured your post in her "Ah-Ha" moments for the week. Great job and wonderful testimonials!

Jan 27, 2020 06:16 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I admit to being overwhelmed after entering many of home staging consultations. More times than not, actually. 

These sellers were very lucky to have your assistance. It's amazing what can be done to transform a home if you have the right people helping you!

Jan 27, 2020 07:11 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland,  Ha, I did not even notice the play on words with post and fence.  Thank you for dropping by. 

Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR,  I feel lucky to have been featured.  Thank you!

Sharon Tara, After my wife saw how much there was she wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew.  It made me a little nervous, but I did have a great team.    

Jan 27, 2020 08:05 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Ray,
I think this is why some people never do great things. They get overwhelmed with the picture instead of focusing on one bite at a time.  I'm undertaking a new project now and I sometimes wake up in the night thinking "What the heck am I doing?"... but in the morning in the bright of the day I go back to focusing on the next bite.

Carry on... 

Jan 27, 2020 09:16 AM
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

Great job Raymond! I not sure I would be up to it! I am just finishing my late mother's home. She was a hoarder, anddon't think I could do another one!

Jan 27, 2020 07:53 PM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Such and great story and wonderful Feedback from your clients. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. 

Jan 28, 2020 08:01 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Carol Williams, I hope your project turns out well!  I have purchased a few houses to fix up.  I am always excited when I get it, then I walk in to start the remodel and start to panic.  I do the same thing, just start one small job and the rest seems to fall into place.

Thank you, Tom Bailey.  I think when you do your own family's home that it is much tougher.  We did that a few years ago and it was difficult.  There are so many memories.  

Thank you, Gwen Fowler-CRS- 864-638-3599 SC Mountains & Lakes-- , I appreciate you stopping by.

Jan 28, 2020 02:18 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Good work!  It can be kind of fun to tackle a big job like that and get it done.

Jan 29, 2020 01:45 AM
Ray Henson

It was kind of fun and it was satisfying work.  Thank you!

Jan 29, 2020 06:06 AM
Kurt Uhlir
Showcase IDX - Roswell, GA
Real Estate Marketing Coach & Speaker

In the process of getting a house prepared after two losses in our family, I know the feeling of "overwhelming" at times. Like seeing the positive outcome. Great reminder and love the comments from clients at the end. Good example.

Jan 30, 2020 07:41 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Excellent work and a good recommendation to boot!

Feb 06, 2020 03:35 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Kurt Uhlir,  we had to sell a family house out of state a few years ago.  It does feel overwhelming.  It is one of the reasons that I like to help when I can.  I am sorry about your family's losses.

Jan Green,  thank you.  

Feb 07, 2020 07:36 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Raymond, you have been gone too long, think its time to write another post.  Miss you!

May 03, 2020 09:20 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Thank you, Joan Cox.  I know it is a poor excuse, but I have been in Arizona getting a new rental ready to market.  On the plus side, I did have the pleasure of spending some time with Brian England .  He was gracious enough to drop by and view my new place and then have dinner with my family.  This is a  wonderful group to be a part of and I will have a new post soon, probably Arizona themed.  

May 03, 2020 10:13 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ok, that does sound like a good excuse.   Hope you got the referral, as I saw someone needed a REALTOR in Elk Grove.    I like to meet up with AR members too when in other cities.   I was close to Brian when I went to Sedona, but not enough hours to drive another 4 hours (back and forth) to meet him.  Next trip....

May 03, 2020 10:51 AM
Ray Henson

Joan Cox, I did not receive the referral because the clients ended up wanting a home in Brentwood.  I just do not know that area.  I was very happy to have been mentioned to help, though and the agent did reach out to me.  And I really appreciate you checking in on me.  Thank you.

May 03, 2020 07:17 PM