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Above and Beyond: Doing What Needs to be Done

By
Real Estate Agent with Falcon Property Company

Getting it Sold

She was ready for a complete change. When she called me to list her home, she and her fiance had decided to pack things up in Colorado and move to Florida. They were excited about their new life and prospects.

It only took a week to get her home under contract. We had made it through the inspection process, the appraisal came in at value, and Buyers had a Clear to Close. Life was good.

Two days before closing, I stopped by to see how things were progressing. The U-Haul was empty in the driveway. Going in through the open garage door, I found her sobbing on the couch. The fiance had decided he not only didn't want to move to Florida, he also didn't want to get married. Aside from the personal heartbreak, she was closing in forty-eight hours and had to be out and the house left clean. She had no one to turn to.

While there was nothing to be done about her emotional misery, I let her know she was not alone. I left her to finish packing boxes and assured her we would be back the next day to help her load the truck.

It was a sunny afternoon when my husband and I arrived the following day. After getting most of the furniture on the truck, it was time to load boxes and finish with the smaller items. In typical Colorado fashion, the weather took a drastic turn. The snow started about 5:00 pm when we still had hours of work ahead of us.

Doing What Needs to be Done

We continued to work as roads all over town were being shut down because of massive snow accumulation. She begged us to leave, but there was no way were going to leave her with so much to do. 

If you're not familiar with Colorado weather, our common expression is, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." We weren't worried about getting home, but knew she couldn't be ready for closing by morning without help. So we finished loading the truck and then cleaned the house to move-in-ready condition for the new owners. 

The snow plows had been out overnight and she was able to make the mid-morning closing. Her tears at closing were not about the loss of her dream, but over and over she kept saying how thankful she was that I was her Realtor. She told anyone who would listen that she wouldn't be closing that morning if it hadn't been for Mimi and her husband. 

It's always rewarding when you figure out ways to "get the job done." Others might have done things differently, but I have no issue rolling up my sleeves to help my clients get to a successful closing. 

Comments (14)

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Mimi Foster - What a beautiful way to console your client. Sometimes all they really need is someone to hear them and be their rock. You were her rock. Despite the weather and all the emotional stress you were there and she appreciated you. WOW! 

Thank you for participating in the March to a Solution|ActiveRain March 2023 Challenge. These are the things you do behind the scenes tha most buyers and sellers never know. You are incredible!

Mar 31, 2023 02:25 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Anyone with a heart would do what you and your husband did, Mimi Foster 

This is yet another example of how some real estate agents truly put their heart and soul into what they do to help their clients above and beyond selling a home.

Thank you for your participation in the March to a Solution Challenge!

Mar 31, 2023 02:32 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Mimi - unfortunately, all kinds of bad stuff can and does happen.  You certainly came through and that made a significant difference.  

Mar 31, 2023 03:43 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Mimi... you truly did go above and beyond for your client. She will never forget you... hopefully, she's gone on to a very happy life.

Apr 01, 2023 04:59 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

How wonderful that you and your husband were able to help her. There are times when going that extra mile (thousand miles?) is a no-brainer.

Apr 01, 2023 05:47 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

 

Hi,

Enjoyed your blog page, and I added you as a friend. I would love the follow back. Bill

Apr 01, 2023 01:01 PM
Mimi Foster

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Apr 03, 2023 09:14 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Mimi- Your seller was fortunate that you were her agent. I know that agents like the ones here would have stepped up as you and your husband did but not all out there would have. You gave her what she needed...the knowledge that she was not alone in this. 

Apr 01, 2023 05:00 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Apr 01, 2023 06:57 PM
Mimi Foster

thank you so much, Kathy Streib 

Apr 02, 2023 08:49 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Another day in the life of the Young Girl. 

 

 

Yawn ...

 

And the seller was lucky beyond her cupful.

Apr 02, 2023 04:31 AM
Mimi Foster

"The Young Girl," Jay Markanich? DO YOU KNOW HOW OLD WE'RE GONNA BE???!!!??? BOGGLES THE MIND! Thank you, my friend. Hope you're well.

Apr 02, 2023 08:53 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A shining example of what we all should be like when we see someone in need.

Apr 02, 2023 07:29 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

What an awesome story of not just getting the house sold, but of making sure your client reaches settlement, our work is not finished till then, and even after that we may need to step in and give a lending hand. Truly a wonderful story of going above and beyond.

Apr 02, 2023 09:14 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Your seller was so fortunate that she had you and your husband to bail her out of her smaller problem. Her ex took care of a problem that could have been far more complicated down the road.

Apr 02, 2023 10:21 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Mimi wow the ups and downs of Real Estate can be too stressful at times and relationships can go south because of it.... yes she was lucky to have there helping her to the finish line. Endre

Apr 02, 2023 01:02 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Wow, what a way to be there for your client. Selling a home and moving reveals the cracks in the veneer of any relationship. It doesn't surprise me this happened, I've witnessed 3 marriages end in front of me while showing property or listing.
I've seen two buyers end their marriage in escrow on two of my listings. Sad, sad, but often they think "this" will be the change they needed, when in fact it often magnifies their problems.

As an aside, I'm just beyond confused why so many move to Florida... I swear 30% of my clients and friends have moved there in the last 10 years. 

Great story Mimi Foster great job going above and beyond. Do you ever hear from her about how her move went and life in FL is going?

Jul 15, 2023 12:12 PM
Mimi Foster

As a fifth generation Floridian, Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, I can tell you why I wouldn't want to move back 😇 Bugs and heat with humidity topping the list. But yes, we've spoken several times, she loves it, she has found a husband and is happy, and is glad she moved. 

On the other hand, I had a client last year (who carried her own little rain cloud) who couldn't wait to leave Colorado because only bad things happened to her here. She moved to FL, paid cash for her house, and two weeks later her new home was destroyed by a hurricane. She survived by hiding in the bathtub with a mattress over her. 

So good to hear from you! Hope you're prospering and happy. 

Jul 16, 2023 10:04 AM