November 2025 Challenge
Learning From Difficult Client Situations
Lantana grows best in sunlight and has many different color possibilities. Over 150 varieties exist.
Clients are like the Lantana plant in many ways. Although color varieties of Lantana may vary widely, the commonality is that each flower contains florets of different colors. These variations mimic the different behaviors in various stages of the process to meet the needs of the Clients.
If each color represents aspects of the process, we know that the beginning steps - meeting the potential Clients, getting to know one another and then Client selecting us - are one. Another color would be the search and research aspects for the ideal dwelling. Yet another color would represent the detail-conscious focus on documents, inspections and financing.
Each color defines a different step and all colors are needed to define the whole.
After a LONG ENGAGEMENT with one family, the Closing occured this month. The number of 'back and forth', 'yes and no' and 'change orders' over the years is almost incalculable.
In this case, the Buyers wanted a home I renovated from a three-bedroom/one bath to a five-bedroom/three and a half bath home. The original 1800 sq. ft. ended up about 3000 sq. ft. with the additional bedrooms and Laundry Room plus the new Kitchen/Great Room and Master BR Suite.
Wanting to cut costs, the Buyers suggested omiting the skylights and I drew a line in the sand there. I knew that the skylights would be the signature detail for the home. I insisted on a skylight in the Kitchen, two in the Great Room, one in the Laundry Room and one in each of the four baths.
After Closing, all of the steps led up to a heartfelt message of gratitude - the text that makes it all worthwhile.
The difficulties recede into memory.
The joy of a vision accomplished remains.
Comments(12)