Empire Realtor Floria Hakimi - putting her client's best interest 1st! Lessons in FEAR vs. WISDOM!

At our sales meeting this week, Empire Realty Associates Realtor and Partner Floria Hakimi shared a wonderful story about "going the extra" mile with her clients. This story really inspired and touched us all - a wonderful reminder of the good work we do when we put our clients best interest 1st!! Thank you Floria for sharing your story and kudos to you - job well done!

"I got a call from my client at 9 am on Sunday. He left a message asking to see me, urgently. He sounded very serious. I knew this wasn't another one of those calls like I had in the last 6 months. James & Mary are my past clients. I sold Mary's sister's house to them in Dublin. Then sold it and bought them another home in San Ramon. When Mary & James were ready for their first home, I was the lucky agent to get the call. They bought a beautiful small single story in San Ramon," says Floria.

"9 years later, January 09, I got the call that they were ready to move up to their next home. Now with two kids, there was need for a larger home and a better location. It took us about 6 months to get their house ready! From paint and crown molding to refinishing the cabinets and replacing the tiles with granite, they did everything that my stager and I suggested them to do. Their home went on the market on a Wednesday for the Thursday broker tour, priced $10,000 more than what I had suggested back in January. I was sure we would get multiple offers and we did. We negotiated a few offers and selected the best, highest, cleanest and one that I knew the agent and trusted that he would stay on top of things. We sold their house $41,000 over asking price, negotiated the option of renting their house back up to 45 days after close of escrow and a whole lot of other positive terms in favor of the sellers."

"This call was coming after we looked at only 4 homes as their possible future home, going about $250,000 more in purchase price. When we met that Sunday morning at the Starbucks in san Ramon, he told me that he has been throwing up all night and couldn't sleep and wants to get out of the deal! He said that they changed their mind and his wife and kids are supportive of his decision. He was all apologetic for putting me through all this and that he would take care of any damages and or fees."

"Well, two hours later, after I listened to all that he had to say, I told him that what I saw was Fear operating vs Wisdom leading him in his decision. All his physical symptoms were real but not to be taken seriously. I told him that we should look at lower priced homes but he cannot back out just because he is afraid he won't find the right house. He needed to be reminded of what he already knew but had forgotten. The reason why they were going to move in the first place was to better their lives within their financial ability. I reminded him that these days lenders don't give loans unless they are sure that borrower is solid and can perform. I also reminded him that making this move when prices go back up would only make it harder and more expensive. He won't have as many choices and as much leverage in negotiating the best terms both on selling his house and buying his future home. Guess what, we were in contract with a beautiful home in two days! Not only almost doubled the size of the house and the lot but it was in a better neighborhhod and had a pool too. And he paid only $105,000 more for that."

"The following Sunday I received another phone call from his wife. Mary called to tell me how grateful they were that I didn't buy into their fear and encouraged them not to give in. She said they are thrilled with their new home and can't believe how smooth everything had been handled. We are closing on both houses next week. All contingencies are removed and they are packing!!"

Thank you for sharing your story Floria - in these challenging times, now more than EVER we need Realtors like Floria who will talk with their clients and help them make the best decisions for them and their family.

posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager - Empire Realty