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A Definition of Skill

By
Real Estate Agent with Success Real Estate

In my office I am known as the "go-to" person by my fellow agents for advice / help and as a sounding board.  I feel honored that I am thought of in such a flattering manner by those that I work with, some of whom are major hitters in our market area.

Well, the other day I got a call from one of these agents (p.s. she is an avid Active Rainer so I hope she doesn't mind me kissing and telling) to tell me about her bad day.  A closing that was to happen that day didn't. Uuuugghh!!!  I know we ALL know how that feels....the DAY OF closing to have it all blow up. It stinks!

She told me that before the closing she took the buyer to their final walk thru, which they did not want to do as they felt it wasn't necessary as the home was vacant due to foreclosure and they were just there a couple of weeks ago, well this agent insisted that it was important irregardless of the fact that the home was vacant. 

Well off to the walk thru they go......

To their shock, horror, and dismay all the plumbing had been stolen (thank you economy for making people desperate enough for money that they have to resort to this).  It appeared to them that the burgular was going to come back as the heating system was neatly dismantled and put in a pile close to the door.  Who needs a house with no plumbing?  How much will it cost to rectify?  Who cares either way as the buyer should not have to take it on.............but would have without the final walk thru!!!!!!!!! Calling all buyers do you hear me YOU WOULD HAVE OWNED THAT IF YOU HADN'T DONE YOUR FINAL WALK THROUGH!!!!

So, this agent is venting to me how upset she is and that this day was horrible and she is on her way home.

Horrible?????? What?????? I said you have to be kidding me, this wasn't a horrible day! Quite to the contrary it was a great day! Your skill as a buyers agent saved your buyer from closing on a home that they wouldn't have purchased in that condition!! You saved yourself from a lawsuit by preventing the sale because as a buyers agent that is something a reasonable man could see and a reasonable man would be expected to know and disclose. You also instilled into your buyer the importance of EVERY step of the transaction and your value as a competent buyers agent!

You actually had a GREAT DAY!!!

The moral of my story.......every situation has a flip side and a quality REALTOR is worth every penny they save you!!

Comments (5)

Joanne O'Donnell
Chic Home Interiors - Oakland, CA

Bobbie, what a story!  Unbelievable - I have never heard of anything like this happening...  You are so right about that agent, she proved herself a valuable professional and she will sell a house to those buyers - whether it is this house fixed or another. she earned their loyalty and respect and they will use her each time they buy or sell in the future and they will refer her.  That is the bottom line of the day, you are so right!

Feb 18, 2009 11:47 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Great story Bobbie.  Imagine the praise that buyer is going to spread about your Realtor friend! 

Feb 18, 2009 11:48 PM
Diane & Bob Arenholz
William RAVEIS Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Covering all of Westchester County, NY

That is so crazy!  Those buyers were lucky to have your friend as an agent.

Feb 18, 2009 11:55 PM
Wendy Welborne-Kimery
Keller Williams-Lake Norman Mooresville,NC - Mooresville, NC

Builders I've worked with have also had upgraded lighting fixtures stolen from there homes (before it was installed).  Good for her for catching it!!

Feb 19, 2009 01:40 AM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

Great response and pep talk to your agent. She should now have a customer for life.

Feb 19, 2009 01:48 AM