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Atlanta Buckhead Midtown -Gratitude - Every Day Not Just Thanksgiving

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside

Atlanta Buckhead Midtown
- Gratitude -
Every Day Not Just Thanksgiving

 

Yes, boring I guess. Yet I wake up every day feeling gratitude. Lots of challenges to face each day. Too many opportunities to clean up behind people who haven't done their jobs to the best of their ability each and every day. Multiple chances to demonstrate patience each day. Grateful that I've the strength to apply years of learning to be able to face situations.

Licensed to practice real estate in 1988. The beginning of any career really is practice - isn't it? Not much from real estate school prepares one for the daily work. Then in 1993, started my own real estate company. Called it - ODAT - One Day At a Time - to remind me each time I was working that one needs to go one day - or even one hour - at a time to succeed. 

Today's gratitude high point was being able to assist a long-time friend with a tricky real estate situation. Years ago, when her parents died, the family home was left to all four "children".  She and one other sister bought out the other two heirs.  Then the home belonged only to the two of them. They figured a way to divide the house so each would have a private area and share other spaces. Her sister would live in the home full time in Maine while my friend's primary residence continued in NYC. Worked well for many years. 

Two years ago, they both decided it was time to sell the house. Many (MANY) discussions later, one of the sister's children decided to buy the house from mother and aunt. In fact, they would prepare the Purchase and Sale Agreement and send it to her. For those of you reading this who are familiar with this type of situation, bet you could finish out the rest of the story!

The expected things surfaced in the beginning of the talks. Here's one... "Oh, our dear aunt, you should take less than a half share of the money since we would be keeping the house in the family and you could visit when you wanted."

 

It quickly became obvious that idea was never going to happen. Just before Labor Day, the last Labor Day of her ownership rights, my friend thought she would go up to enjoy a few days with her children there.  A week before, she received a request from her sister that they not come because the sister and family were planning something that weekend.

 

Skip ahead before this gets to be TLDR - So much for easy and continued access even BEFORE a contract or sale occured. They sent the offer seven weeks after they said they would.  Friends in NYC suggested that she get a lawyer FAMILIAR WITH LAW IN MAINE to review and make suggestions. She did. Today we spent two hours reviewing all the specifications from the sister's side along with the attorney's comments. Went very well. I was able to translate from contract language to every day words so she understood the minutiae in the offer.

GRATEFUL? Yes, three of the four items I red-flagged from my review of the document were included in the attorney's comments! Made me feel so proud -- got it right! Helped my friend. Knowledge used to better lives of those people I serve in my career - family, friends or Clients - feels wonderful! 

Thanksgiving Challenge 2024 -  gave me the opportunity to express these ideas.

AI Penguin by Lynn B Friedman via Nightcafe

Show All Comments Sort:
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

We must have been thinking along the same lines, not as articulate as your post but I wrote something along the same lines, check it out, Endre

Nov 17, 2024 11:37 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Endre Barath, Jr. 
Your post was so you. Hi to Diane.
Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:15 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Lynn - being a real estate professional is not as easy as some may say.  Adding gratitude and thankfulness to your practice of it is a wise idea.  Especially as it becomes more difficult.  Oh, the stories we hear and see with each experience.  

Nov 18, 2024 04:17 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Michael Jacobs 
So true -  "Oh, the stories we hear and see with each experience."  All the best - Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:16 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Lynn. As Art Linkletter often said "kids say the darndest things" in anticipation people will agree. It just sometimes has no rhyme or reason. Years of experience are sometimes necessary to have common sense come to the surface. Enjoy your day. 

Nov 18, 2024 05:56 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Wayne Martin 
Yes, common sense can save the day!
All the best - Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:17 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Cleaning up messes isn't fun, but I am sure the people around you are grateful that you are there to do it.

Nov 18, 2024 05:59 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Brian England 
Certainly is nice for others when their mess is cleaned up! Take care.

Nov 30, 2024 11:18 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Lynn... I finally know where ODAT came from... I've often wondered and always forgot to ask! Your comment about multiple chances each day to show patience certainly hit a nerve with me. I'm not by nature the most patient of people and have long said if real estate taught me anything it was a level of patience I never knew I was capable of. Frequent thanks from clients for my patience makes me grateful that I learned this "skill."

Nov 18, 2024 06:02 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Nina Hollander, Broker 
Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.
All the best - Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:18 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375 thanks, Lynn. Trust you had a lovely Thanksgiving, as well.

Dec 01, 2024 05:36 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375 - Your story is proof that REALTORS are valuable and needed. Even attorneys don't know everything about real estate if they don't practice it exclusively on a regular basis. You should be very proud that "three of the four items," you "red-flagged" were included. Good for you!

FYI... I represented two different attorneys as a Buyer Agent and both of them depended on my expertise and listened. Isn't it wonderful to feel proud at moments like this! 

You're awesome!!!

Nov 18, 2024 01:52 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP 
Remember when the kids used to say "Takes one to know one!" Every nice thing you say to me BACK ATCHA! Your Atlanta friend, Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:20 PM
Patricia Feager

Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375 - I haven't thought about that line "Takes one to know one!" in a very long time! That line really dates me and floods my memories with siblings and friends. 

I'm glad we are friends and that you stay positive. You're a great woman. 

Dec 01, 2024 03:25 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Lynn we have much more to be thankful for than we give thanks for.  When I look at my life I have been blessed with everything I need, and many many of my wants as well.

Nov 18, 2024 02:22 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

George Souto 
Another of your beautiful and insightful comments - Thanks - Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:20 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Lynn- thank goodness you were their agent...or at least one of the sisters. From the little I know of you, I have a feeling you are extremely detail oriented, current on all things real estate, and firm on protecting your client's interests. 

Nov 18, 2024 08:00 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Kathy Streib This time I truly feel I was helpful. Take care - Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:21 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Nov 23, 2024 07:15 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Kathy Streib 
Very kind! 
Appreciated, Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:22 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Kathy Streib sent me over Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375 and I'm glad she did. Thank you for sharing the story, it's wonderful to come to the rescue of friends who are being taken advantage of.

Nov 24, 2024 06:26 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I hope it all works out for your friend, we have a friend who is no longer talking with her sister or aunt due to real estate. It is such a shame.

Nov 25, 2024 11:22 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 
That is what I worked so hard to avoid for my friend. Let's hope it works since the Closing isn't for another two months. Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:23 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Red Hook, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Hi Lynn,

Your expertise and patience benefit both your agents and clients. Patience is a virtue needed in our business.

ODAT  - One day at a time is so cool.

Nov 26, 2024 03:41 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Jennifer Fivelsdal 
Look forward to meeting you one day! Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:13 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gratitude and joy are  we make Consciously and fully, and with our whole hearts. Most definitely. :

Nov 30, 2024 10:58 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Laura Cerrano 
Thanks for stopping by. 
Enjoy the rest of the year - Lynn

Nov 30, 2024 11:13 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I know you were so proud that your comments were worthy of the legal changes, Lynn. While we don't 'practice law,' we do know a lot more than most think we do about real estate and that includes some legal issues that can often 'save-the-day!' SO glad you were able to save that relationship as that doesn't always happen.

Dec 01, 2024 12:20 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Debe Maxwell, CRS 
So true - real estate school offering psychology classes would be beneficial as well! Lynn

Dec 02, 2024 04:08 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375 ,

Oh the stories we could tell if we wrote a book. This would certainly be one of them. It was heartwarming to hear you salvaged their relationship and interpreted the  contract so they could understand it in its entirety!

Dec 02, 2024 02:31 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Dorie Dillard Austin TX 
Well, I don't take all that much credit but maybe I could take some. OVER AND OVER - I stressed that maintaining family unity when the transaction ends MUST BE a continued focus. Hopefully, keeping the goal in mind will see this situation through its January 2025 Closing.

Dec 02, 2024 04:11 PM