I met the the Mr. and Mrs. from a floor call about three years ago. Actually, I was busy on the phone when my broker answered the phone and as soon as I got off I could hear him saying, "Just a minute". He put the phone on hold and looked down as me from the second floor and said, "Hey, Sally. Why don't you take this call. I think these are going to be high maintenance people".
I got on the phone and talked to the Mrs. for a few minutes, asked if they were working with a realtor (nope), asked if they had spoken to a lender (yes...already pre-approved with so and so etc.). and proceeded to get some information so i could email them some listings. She also said that her husband had such a hectic work schedule that that weekend they would just run around to a couple of Open Houses.
On Monday morning, the Mrs. called me and said that they saw a home they REALLY wanted and could I make an appointment so we could see it alone without all the hustle and bustle of an Open House. We went that afternoon and OMG! It was a fixer upper with termite damage! The carpet was the original orange shag carpet and the upstairs bathroom floor was termite eaten and needed repair. Well, we put in an offer under asking and it was accepted.
During the transaction I met the "family" on occasion when I went to their house to sign papers, drop off doc's etc. Come to find out they had three biological children, two others that were adopted and two others who were foster children and in the process of adoption. Okay, that made seven children. And my goodness, the Mrs. home schooled them and they all were polite, had their chores and the older ones helped with the little ones. (the youngest was two weeks old when I first met all the children)
Well, everything went through fine! The family was happy to have a large home, four bedrooms, make the family room into another bedroom, and a huge master bedroom that had a huge walk in closet with a window...which became the two week old girl's bedroom. It fit them perfectly and they knew exactly what they were going to do with the home!
I kept in touch (usually by phone, email and holiday cards) and last July the Mrs. walked into the office (what a coincidence I was there!) She said they were getting their home ready to put on the market and had to move back to the mainland because one of the girls had to have heart surgery. Oh, geez. They had already upgraded the majority and were doing the final touches within the next month and would be ready to list the home. She made me promise not to drive by until she said it was done. 
Well, the day came around and my goodness! They had done a whole creative process on this home! It was beautiful inside and out! We listed it and we had no trouble selling. They kept the house in showing condition and here's the real kicker! They now had 10...yes, TEN children and all 7 (not biological) had been adopted. No matter what the day or time they were always willing to leave to let the people feel comfortable to view the property. During this whole process I became VERY close to this family. They even snuck around asking when my birthday was and surprised me with a birthday present!
The day before the house recorded was the last day that I would see them. I went to the home to retrieve the keys and give them a gift card (where they were going would have the same department store I thought....and they would be able to get the kid's warm jackets). I walked in and all the children got up from what they were doing and all stood quietly while i talked to Mr. and Mrs. I hugged them then turned to the children. I opened my arms and each and every one of those children came pouring into my arms one by one. I started sobbing and the older son (biological) started tearing himself! I had NEVER been so emotional with client's like this before!
These client's were special. The Mr. and Mrs. were such angels and the little ones were little angels as well. Ten children. All well behaved. All had their own little chores. All pitched in. And I sure love them. And we still do keep in contact. The little one didn't have to have heart surgery after all, they bought a huge home with a huge yard and they were happy. So am I.
Add in: Forgot to add in the flowers they gave me! (yeah, I took a picture...not often a client gives a token of their appreciation!
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A Hawaii Real Estate, Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii VA Home Transaction Specialist. More passionate posts throughout this blog for Hawaii Real Estate and Relocations Info. Listening to YOUR needs first.
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Thanks for sharing and kudos to you. Helping people is what I love about real estate. It's especially nice when you're appreciated. Hope everything goes well for their family.
Sally, I get attached to client's as well ~ This beautiful story brings back memories for me. I still keep in contact on a personal level with the majority of my client's. In my past life I was in PATIENT CARE at a medical centre and can't seem to let go of CARING for people. Thanks for sharing your story...Absolutely heart touching.
Hey Sally, Thost are AMAZING before and after pictures! Doesn't it make all of the hell we go through worth when you find clients like that!
Linda: I was wondering what I was going to write about and it sure didn't take long to figure out. It may not be weird, strange or anything lik that but it sure came from my heart. Beautiful family.
Leo: Sure is...more often than not I seem to really get the "high maintenance" ones and this one made all the difference in the world...twice!
Paula: Same for me...I worker for a residential program and a family law attorney. After many years I figured out that I was not taking care of me so I could "take care" of others....Now it's the other way around...you know that saying, "If I don't love myself, how can I love others"?
Steph: Hmm....they found me.Ha!
I thought you used that picture before.or did you repost?
Which picture? The Association one yes. The newer picture of the home yes. (It's on my profile with testimonials) As far as reposting...NO. It's a contest for writing a story that Laurie Manny is holding.
Wow. Great house, great story! Perfect example of building a relationship w/ your clients that will probably lead to referrals later. Thanks for sharing Sally.
Pete: Thank you for the upbeat comment. I'm sure it will! Heck, I would say a good percentage of sales last year were referrals....and all but one so far this year! (the one was my cousin anyway)
Hey Sally, I love your profile. How do you add links without putting the actual website on your profile? I noticed the word is in blue, but you can click on it and it takes you someplace else. Sorry, kinda new to AR! Thanks!!!
Pete: Okay....Highlight the word you want to link and after you highlight it then the link (chain looking thing) will appear and you click on that and then add in website name...
That was a wonderful family. I remember the home and what a great job they did renovating it. Those are the ones that make selling real estate so rewarding.
Randy: And it took this incentive to think about the "good client's" I've had to feel better about the mean ones. Were you there when I got the flowers? Check this out....I took a picture!
Nice ending,nice family,nice repeat client and nice story..was that better?
Thanks Neal.
Sally-very nice story, not suprising! You are everything I had hoped for, this is exactly how I pictured you to be with your customers. I was going to offer you paradise but jeez you are there already! I really enjoyed it!
Midori: I just knew you would be here to leave your postive comments! Hmm. I figure you to be somewhat the same. Not always emotional with clients....but for some like these...oh, yeah.
Sally,
Very nice story. This is no surprise coming from you. Your clients are Lucky to have had you to guide them!
Thanks for sharing,
Lucky :)
The linking worked! Thanks Sally, I appreciate it!!
Lucky: Thank you for coming by! I'm glad you liked it and thank you for the compliment!
Pete: Glad to help....Not too many Hawaii people get on here beside Randy and I ...keep plugging away and reap the benefits. I have gotten a lead, Randy has gotten into contract with a lead from someone who read his blogs. So there are benefits....I've tried to get a few LO's to join but they claim they are too busy. Well, you know what? I'm not too busy to market myself as well as sharing with AR members from all over the country.
Sally - AMEN! I look at AR while watching tv so it's not THAT much of an effort, plus I feel like I'm working in a way... but fun work. I am learning a lot from the Realtor's side of things just be reading blogs. My thought is that if I know what you folks go through, I can undestand better how much my role in the purchase process affects the Realtor's job (like properly qualifying borrowers). Thanks to both you and Randy for always posting useful information and not just trying to promoting yourself.
Pete: Keep it up!
Great story Sally, I hope all goes weel in the future for tis family!
Thanks Danny. I'll keep you all posted.
Great story, made me cry.
Congrats on the Gold Star. You deserve it not just for the blog post, but for the great job you did with these clients.
WooHoo, Sally!! THIS is why we do it!! I love your way with people. You had me tearing up a little, too!
What a wonderful experience for you. Those folks are very special, indeed.
Sally - what a wonderful heart-warming story you shared in this post. Clients and families like that are so precious and what a joy to have the privilege to work with folks like that.
Congratulations to you - for clients and friends like that, and for your gold star on this post!
Ann
Oh, it's nice to be appreciated. I wonder if your client's know just how far that gift will go? Especially since you have a picture!
Congrats on the feature! :)
Hi Sally! Wonderful story! Got tears here.. makeup going to run! Thanks for sharing!
Sally great to have such wonderful clients and it is always a pleasure to see well behaved children - I love the post I love the before and after photo that was great.
Oh Sally, you had me in tears. We don't get clients like that all that often but it is so nice when we do. I can think of a few myself. What a wonderful story. Great material for the contest!!
Going backwards here so I can start answering.
Virginia: Hey, I had me in tears!
Thesa: Thanks....it's wonderful to have a good story to tell! Makes all the "bad" ones worthwhile!
Lysa: Me too.
Steph: Thanks!
Lisa: Emailed them the story...I also made a virtual tour Mother's Day show.
Ann: Thanks! They are to me as I am to them....great people...and not often client's such as these come along who allow you to be part of the family!
Diane: A rarity!
Sarah: Believe it or not...I love the way you write also....and seemingly would be the same with people, animals and the world!
Randy: Yeah...I know...haha!
Laurie: Thanks for comment...thanks for dropping by!
Okay, have to admit, I teared up with this one!
Nice post!
Ana: Thanks for reading....it's these stories that are ones everyone wishes they had gone through.
Sally,
It's uplifting to read about customers like this. You must've done something right to earn their respect.
Sally, What a beautiful story! All clients should be as wonderful as these ones!
Esko: Being attentive to their needs...and being upfront from the start!
Suzanne: Thanks! We can only hope!
Sally, you are what we should be. Caring about our clients.
John: Why thank you for the kind comment! That's the key....successful for me is giving not only good service....but giving a part of myself. (if they don't want it...then it stays business...haha)
Sally, Really good post..
Sally, what a great story - those are the ones that make it all worthwhile. So glad you took a pic of the flowers so you can remember the impact you have on your clients and the community on those not so "angelic" days. :-) Thanks for sharing
Matt: Thanks for dropping by...
Cyndee: Hey...didn't think of that....but now I have a story to go with my flowers and will pull it up every time I have a traumatic transaction....har!
What a great post and wonderful experience. I teared up reading this. So sweet. I am glad everything worked out for them!
Christy: Seems everyone is tearing up at this....even the "Angels"...I sent this to them.
Sally-
It sounds like you had a fantastic experience!
Those people were lucky to be working with you.
Seriously - if the children were that well behaved, the Parents should write a book! All too often we see Parents who can't raise 1 Child but 10?!?! THAT'S fantastic.
Marc: So far in my Real Estate Career...this is the ONLY one that made an impact (so heavily) on my life and my outlook on the "angels" that cross my path. Hey...I only had two because I could only hold two hands...I figured I'd lose one if I had three....can you imagine? You would trip on them if you could meet them!
Sally - what a wonderful, heartwarming story. It makes all that we do so worthwhile. They were specail people to you, but you were clearly special to them as well. Sounds like a lifelong friendship. Perhaps you will get to the mainland and be able to visit. And you will be ale to help them by referring them on to others here, should they decide to move along at some point as the kids grow up.
Well done!
Jeff
Jeff: Thank you so much for your feedback! I surely will keep in touch as they do with me. Yesterday, she sent me pictures of their "new" home.
I think that these clients are a great example of why we celebrate Mother's Day.
Randy: I sent them the link for this story and she emailed back saying she was tearing up! I also sent her a Mother's Day (real estate show) live card....from beginning to end...with pics of kids on mainland that she emailed me at the end of the show....
What a specail family! I know that sometimes we work with clients whom we would normally never associate with, but then there are times, as in this instance, when you meet really wonderful people that will probably remain in your life for a very long time--how great is that!
Jamie: Yes it is...very rare. And how wonderful it feels to know someone appreciates me for me.