HAPPY, UNUSUAL AND REAL STORIES when stars align in real estate

Feeling blue? Just remember those times when things seemed to be insurmountable or impossible to achieve,...yet you managed to win the day!

It works for me...and this is one of those times when I want to share my happy stories. The pictures are of actual properties related to these stories.

UNSEEN CLIENT

During one of my open houses, I talked with a couple who asked a lot of questions, like what I do to promote my listings. Two weeks later, I receive a call from a seller whose listing agreement is expiring after 6 months. He asked me to evaluate the property and tell him what could be done to sell it.

So I visited the property and observed the open house. Next, I prepared a matrix of what's right (highlights), what's wrong (need to be addressed) and finally a list of action items to market the property. I communicated with the seller via emails. When he faxed the signed listing agreement (this was years before I had DocuSign), he told me to do what needed to be done.

The first time I met the seller was when he came to my first open house. He was impressed by how the property looks, and the traffic I generated. We sold the house in two weeks at over list price.

I sold four more of his properties the following years. And he is still my client today, after nearly $4 million in sales.

NEGOTIATED COMMISSION

I was a new agent, and darned determined to get a 6% commission. A couple I met at an open house invited me to interview for the listing. They knew all the realtors in their neighborhood, and asked me to match the commission that one of them charged: 4%.

I refused. But after discussing the scenario with other agents and my broker, I returned and negotiated 5% instead. They agreed. I pulled out the stops in marketing their house, and received offers at above list price in less than a week.

A year later, they returned. I represented them in their purchase of a home. And they recommended me to an associate who was also buying a home.

All together, this relationship resulted in nearly $3 million in sales and a referral.

HOMEOWNER WHO WASN'T GOING TO SELL, BUT...

My buyers were outbid on a house. The listing agent lived in the same community, and had mentioned he had the same exact model home.

I made an appointment to show his house to my clients just so we can see his upgrades. He said he wasn't planning to sell...but my client whipped out his check and said he will pay cash for the house. The homeowner was finally persuaded to sell at a 1% commission.

After the buyers moved in, I listed the buyer's own house for $1,4 M at 6% commission.

I THINK I'LL BUY A HOUSE TODAY

This man woke up one Saturday morning, and thought that perhaps this is a good time to buy his first house. He got on the internet, found one of my listings, liked what he saw, called me. After letting him know that he needs to be preapproved, I made the appointment to show him the house that afternoon.

He and his wife arrived, liked the house, decided to write a offer. I whipped out a blank agreement, reviewed the terms and conditions, and wrote the offer. I called the loan officer, asked him to email me a preapproval letter. Got a deposit check from the buyer. Called my seller who promptly accepted.

Double-ended the deal!

I think I'm happy now..... So, what are YOUR happy stories?