What was your most heartfelt transaction, and why?

Hello Ralph Gorgoglione, what a wonderfully open and thoughtful prompt! It's truly inspiring to hear you seeking genuine human connection and shared experiences. I'm certain many real estate professionals will appreciate this invitation to reflect on their most heartfelt transactions. Thank you for this meaningful post.

Thanks for sharing and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! Bill 

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Bill, over 29 years, I probably could write an entire blog post, but one jumps out, and probably because it wasn't that long ago.

A young professional couple hit my web site and wanted to buy their first home.   They were both in the medical field, and it was early 2020 - COVID.  So, they decided to extend their lease at the apartment for 9 more months.  We then set out to view homes.  They had 20%+ down, and good thing, as they had to put $60k over appraised value because of such a frenzied market.    They were SO excited to get into their new home, as they wanted to try and have a baby.   She called one day, and said I only made one call before you (my parents) to tell you we are PREGNANT!    I was invited over after she had the baby, and several times after that when her parents came to visit, and for dinners.   We became friends, I called them my real estate kids!

They moved to New Haven Connecticut, but she is still emailing and texting!

Ralph- what an inspiring post. Back in 2008 I was in FL and the market was awful. I met a wonderful agent who started working bank-owned and foreclosures before other agents did. At least once a year, she chose on "client in need" to work for them at no charge. She asked if I would help...gratis. Of course I would. Her client was not in good health and needed to sell his very modest home. 

Some might say that any property below X dollars was not worth staging but I disagree. Long story short, I worked with some things he could do. The property sold! 

Hope you find the humanity you're looking for. 

Ralph Gorgoglione - that is a very good question. Many stories come to mind but the one that keeps popping up is the sale of a property for a senior citizen. She knew she wasn't going to live long and that the remainder of her time on earth would most likely be in a medical facility. 

I won't go into details, but this is how the story started and how her sale ended. My Seller knew her home was not in good shape, and she didn't have enough time to take care of the property's negligence. Plus, she wasn't in a position to make repairs. Of course, she wanted me to keep everything confidential and told me exactly how much she needed to net. 

There must have been an angel on her shoulders, and perhaps mine too. Within days, a Buyer came along to buy his daughter a home. He had no representation, but shared confidential information and offered to pay Cash. His daughter was very smart, and skilled with her hands and tools. But she ran into a streak of bad luck. Her hope was to find a property that she could fix up with her father, so that together they could work on a project together.

They offered three times what the sales price was, no repairs, just an inspection. My Seller said yes!!!! She couldn't believe it. I kept both stories strictly confidential.

On the day of closing, I met the Seller and the Escrow Officer at the medical facility where the seller resided. The only thing odd was that the Seller's daughter showed up, thinking she was there because her mother made her promise to be there, and on time. The daughter did not know anything about the sale of her mother's house. And of course, the Buyers closed separately. 

All I can say to finalize this heartfelt story is that when the papers were signed, the mother and daughter were in each other's arms crying tears of happiness. I took one look back and saw the Seller's check on table after she endorsed the entire check to her daughter. Their arms were locked together in the most loving and caring embrace.  

Patricia Feager I wish there was a "Love❤️" button. Lauren

Ralph Gorgoglione THANK YOU FOR THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lauren

Hmm, I can't think of one specific transaction that stands out from all of the others; they all feel heartfelt to me, just in different ways.  I always hope that clients can see that I pour my heart into each and every transaction for their benefit.

The one deal that popped into my head was the only sale where I had both buyers and sellers. My sellers were selling a beautiful victorian home from the late 1800s. My buyers were not looking for that type of home but the more I showed them properties the more I thought this might be a good match. I explained to both of them the ramifications of me handling both the buyer and seller (i.e. I can't advise either of them, etc) . They both insisted I help. So the day I brought the buyers to see the house, we went outside after viewing it, and my male buyer starting crying. Oh my Gosh, this is the PERFECT home, and the perfect location and the perfect everything. Let's make a full price offer,  etc etc. So I walked inside and talked to the sellers. Then I walked outside and said, we have a deal. Over the course of the transaction, the buyers and sellers became great friends. At the closing, we have a photo of all of us hugging each other. And when the sellers closed on their new home two states away, guess who was invited to the house warming party. The buyers of their previous home. And guess who went to the party, two states away. The buyers.

And this was a deal where the sellers did NOT like real estate agents, but they came away from the sale with an entirely different view.

That was the most heartfelt transaction. I just loved all of them. So much smiling going on.

The end.

Ralph Gorgoglione  This is a great idea for a monthly challenge!