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The power of love!

By
Real Estate Agent with iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a new client from a sign call. Even though they were in their mid 50's they were first time home buyers.

At the first contact, the husband appeared to be a big gruff guy, guarded and jaded but the wife was a delight from the first moment. Not deterred, before long we bonded. They wanted a small home and wanted to pay cash. We made an offer and it was countered and rejected. We forged on and found "the one" three days later.

During the course of conversation I learned that Debbie was ill and had been through several bouts of cancer and Lupus and her future was uncertain. As Dan told me the story a tear formed in the eye of this big tough marshmallow in the middle man. He shared with me that Debbie wanted a home and Dan's only wish was to buy her one, his only goal to make her happy. I knew right then and there that I would help find them a house.

These folks didn't have a lot of money and some Realtor's might have blown them off, but not me. On Valentines Day we got our second offer accepted. I called to tell them and told him that the acceptance of the offer was his Valentines Day present to Debbie. He said he had been to the store earlier that day, purchased a card and then sat in the car for four hours trying to express in words his sentiments of love for her.

 

We signed on the home today and I have never seen two more thankful and excited people. After signing, Dan sheepishly pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket and handed me a card. Inside the card were two one hundred dollars bills and this sentiment:

Cecily

"Thank you so much for all the hard work & butt kissing that you have done for the two of us! You will always be with us. You are so pretty and have a great sense of humor and a powerful determination. I hope your future and life go great guns! Enjoyed you and Jim (The home inspector, and our own Active Rainer, Jim Allhiser, Perfection Inspection, Inc) so much and I can't remember when I've laughed so hard. Thank You again."

All our best forever,

Deb & Dan

This, my friends is the reason we do this job.

The price of this manufactured home: $34,500.

My fee: $1575 + a $200 "feeling the love" bonus.

The feeling of helping wonderful people like this buy a home and realize a dream: Blissful.

The love between this couple and the look on their face when they were handed the key: Priceless. 

Comments(28)

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Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Pete: I totally agree!

John: Thanks! It felt good doin' it!

Sheldon: Thanks, my friend. Good to be back. Don't know why I left....there's no place like home. Guess I just needed to click my ruby slippers together three times.

Tony & Dacy: Thanks for stopping by to comment. P.S....it brought a tear to mine, too.

Maria: I totally agree. Sometimes we forget why we got into this business in the first place.

Sally & David: That is the coolest sentiment! I love it!

Steve: Haha! Your turn...You've gone soft on me a couple of times so it's payback!

Feb 22, 2009 02:22 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

This is really sweet.  I'm like you.  They may start out gruff and possibly hard to work with, but you never know what's below the surface.  We just need to dig a little.  Good for you!

Feb 22, 2009 02:24 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Cecily that is awesome! These are the kind of deals that really make it fun to be in Real Estate.

Feb 22, 2009 02:42 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Cecily, I love your post.  What a sweet story, and a great experience for you and your clients.  But then again, how could anybody resist you optimism and humor??

Feb 22, 2009 02:47 AM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Cecily -- What a touching story -- and if we work like it's not about the money I think we really do find success and happiness with our jobs!

Long ago a very wealthy man told me to do what you love and the money will follow.  While it may not always be true in the short term -- I think this is a wonderful long term strategy for not only a career but for a happy life as well.  Your passion and "know how" is evident in your work and I hope the next commission check is huge!  Real estate success is about relationships and you've got what it takes!

Feb 22, 2009 03:23 AM
Jim Allhiser
Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Cecily,

I am glad to get the background on those folks. I too enjoyed my time with them and you.  I was very happy to help and be part of such a sweet story!

Thanks again.

Feb 22, 2009 04:08 AM
Melina Tomson
Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon - Salem, OR
Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.

How can you not have fun with Jim?  Wonderful story!

 

 

Feb 22, 2009 04:21 AM
Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Cindy: The tough nuts are always one ones with the sweetest center, don't ya think?

Bill: Yes, a good reminder why we got into this business in the first place.

 

Feb 22, 2009 05:09 AM
Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation
Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC - Port Coquitlam, BC
Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team

I am not surprised to hear your experience and how you handled it and what you got out of it, everything about you, your pic, your funny entries says that you are a caring compassionate lady....everything except that tattoo lol hah hah hah argh... :) Gotcha

Feb 22, 2009 08:20 AM
Gail Szeluga & JoAnna Siminerio
Coldwell Banker Realty - Manalapan/Marlboro - Manalapan, NJ
Fostering Community Spirit Through Real Estate

Awesome story!  Actually brought a little tear to my eye. 

Thank YOU so much for sharing it with us and helping to remind us of why we are in this business.

PS - Hope you enjoy the makeup and credits!  You earned them!

Feb 22, 2009 09:05 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Cecily, What a great story!  it is not always the pay check that makes us smile... It is the appreciation from a satisfied client. Some of my fondest memories are of the First time buyers that were in there retirement years... The checks were small, but it still feels good when you can help them get their own home.

Feb 22, 2009 09:34 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Ceciily, What a wonderful success story. BTW, I'm glad to see you back. Don't forget to post in the AR success stories and snag an exctra 500 points. It definitely qualifies!

Feb 22, 2009 09:49 AM
Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Laura: I am irresistible, aren't I??? Hee...hee.

Margaret: Thanks for the compliments!!! You rock!

Jim: You did an amazing job and the clients loved you! We will be doing more business together in the future! Hey everyone! Jim and I met through Active Rain!

Melina: I totally agree!!! Jim is such a sweetie! And if I would have know what a little cutie he was I would have had doing my inspections earlier...hee...hee!

 

Feb 22, 2009 10:02 AM
Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Scott: You cracked me up!!!! Thanks....now about that tattoo. Don't you think it's time you broke down and started sportin' some ink?

JoAnna: Oh, Little Mafia Princess!!! I made you cry?? Sorry about that....good thing we are on the same side in Mafia Wars or you would probably put out a hit on me, huh. Hee...hee!

Robert: Too true....there are some clients that will stay in your memory forever. The buyer stood in the living room, held her arms out and said: I can feel your presence here. You will be with us always. That's when I lost it. P.S. Nothing wrong with big checks though...hahaha!

Barb: Thank you! I'm glad to be back!!! I don't know this Active Rain success stories deal. Is it a group???

Feb 22, 2009 10:18 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

The big checks .... They make me smile too! and right now may bring a tear to my eye....

Feb 23, 2009 01:24 AM
Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Robert: Sniff....I miss the big checks, too...sigh.

Feb 23, 2009 12:31 PM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Cecily - I'm beginning to well up a bit from reading this story. Such a great tale to tell every agent who is just starting out or any veteran who snubs their noses at inexpensive home buyers.

I held the record for one of the highest sale prices in my office at one time. But it was nothing compared to the feeling of accomplishment I got for the one I sold for $12,500....

My commission on that one after splits......$98.00!!!

The buyer asked me why I helped him when all the other agents he spoke with said no.

My response was simple.....Because you asked me to help you.

You might not retire on that sale....but you will retire on the 10 people he tells about what a great job you did for him.....and the 10 people they tell....and so on.......

Great job Cecily!

Feb 25, 2009 07:42 AM
Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Debbie: Thanks a bunch for stopping by!!! I agree...not always about the money.

Mar 01, 2009 09:00 AM
Laura Gwyn
Laura Gail Gwyn Properties - Salem, OR

See you hot little momma, I always tell you how wonderful you are!  You are amazing and I am so lucky to have you here in my hometown!

Mar 03, 2009 05:50 AM
Cecily Parks
iMove Group, Knipe Realty NW, Inc. - Salem, OR

Laura: Thanks Girl! I'm lucky to have you as a fellow Broker and a friend! MUAH!

Sherry:  Thanks!! What a great comment! Just keep on keepin' on girl! It's all about Karma, right?

Sep 02, 2009 01:42 PM