This is a article for anyone who thinks they may be a procrastinator, or who has procrastinated in the past, or any one who may have said "Someday I will blah, blah, yada, yada........"
Well we have all done it, procrastinate that is, myself one of the biggest perpetrators, and I caught myself in the nick of time before I did it again. Let me explain.....
I had the good fortune of meeting a lovely mature lady, who was house shopping for herself. She was recently widowed, lives alone with her "puppy", and is in a word or two "well off"
On the appointed day we scheduled about 9 homes to view, all of which she had picked out from my list of homes I sent to her via email (yes that generation DOES use email) She arrived with her daughter and a family friend, to "help out with the decision" A real rainy, cold, wet day, not conducive to looking at homes, however, we plodded on and tried to make the best of the day. The home she wanted to see in particular, was second on the itinerary, and was everything she wanted in a home. Still wanting to see the rest of the homes, and surely not wanting to miss anything, we continued on with the rest of the tour.
Most would agree at this point a few extra eyes helping the buyer (especially a woman recently widowed, after 40 plus years of marriage, and a Mom) moving to a far off town, are not always looking out for "Mom's best interests" In fact they REALLY do not want to see Mom moving a couple hundred miles away. At 2 hours into the tour Mom says "lets go back and look at the second house you showed me"....no problem, and off we all go.
Well of course you can guess what the daughter and the friend are now saying to Mom, yet Mom says "I want it, lets put in an offer"
Here is where it becomes someday, or today.....The daughter says no, the friend says no, Mom says yes. I look at everyone, and in the calmest of tones, and in my best "matter of fact" dialogue say " This is what you want, maybe someday will never come, I know this is a good decision for you"
She is so very happy, the home is everything she wants, someday is today!
That is what I love about this business.....you know you are helping people to get what they want, encourage them not to procrastinate, and you know it is in their best interest, it truly is a wonderful feeling.
I think as the older we get, or the more experienced we become, (mature....older) a little voice goes off and says "do it, do it now" or maybe she was just really ready to buy a house, getting away from the daughter and the friend!
What do you think?
Dick Beals
I think the woman knows what she wants. I think once you get to that stage of life, what is the point in wasting another minute. " life is not a dress rehearsal" If you can do it, go for it!
Good post!
A well deserved feature! You took good care of your client and her best interest.....you did your job well. Just what I expected from you, my friend.
Dick and Sandy, You did a great thing and it paid off. It is so nice to help people like this.
Hi Dick - you were there to help that buyer confirm her decision. Family and friends can have, or think they have, the best of intentions, but they aren't the one who'll be living in the house or making the payments, and they shouldn't be the ones making the decisions either.
Good for that lady for knowing what she wanted and sticking to it! And good for her for having you as her agent.
Ann
Audrey, thanks, she did know what she wanted!
Hey Andrew, hidden agendas....I sensed that the gravy train was heading south
Barbara, you are absolutely correct your "elders" are always correct, at least in public
Katie, thanks for the reminder, life is too short, so you might as well live for the moment.
Thanks for your comments! and the best in 2008!
Dick Beals
Ntsike, thanks for commenting! Just do it!
Crystina, thankyou, I'm sure she will enjoy it....close to the beach plus everything she has always wanted.
Cynthia, Thank you for the compliment! Taking care of clients is the easy part.
Dan, Thanks
Sandra, she knew it when she walked in....it is a wonderful thing!
Dick Beals
Hi Midori, funny how age equals experience, and how it is appreciated.
Al, good comment...thanks!
Ann, thanks! sometimes it is so very easy just letting it happen, and other times, well you know....
Kim, she was and a very nice lady!
Dick Beals
Sean, so right you are! selling isn't really about selling is it?
Christy, some need a little push however not this lady!, thanks for your comment.
Maria, thankyou!
Richard, good comment! life is good! (and sometimrs easy)
Dick Beals
I'm sorry, I'm going to have to get back to you with my comment!!
jk
Good for you for knowing your Buyer and encourage her appropriately!