In 2019, my good friend's parents decided they wanted to purchase a home across the street from their best friends! We had had conversations prior to this about them wanting to buy a home, and then what felt like "the house" in the perfect location for them became available.
The funny thing about the real estate business is that there is a fair amount of shady business; if you don't watch your back and act quickly and accordingly, someone else may be lurking around the corner trying to persuade your clients why it's a good idea to use their services.
This is when your loyalty kicks in; I'll save the details of this story for another time, but let's just say that 2019 wasn't our time to shine and that that listing agent is defined as in the above text. So here we are, 4 years later, and finally, "THE HOUSE" is their home—the one that finally presented itself to us on the same street, no less!
It had a "coming soon" sign out front, so naturally, I jumped on the opportunity to call the listing agent and schedule my clients a chance to view this property before it was to hit the "live" market! You see, savvy agents know how to find opportunities for their clients, and this is a skill we are very proficient at. Anyhow, we get in, they "like" it but maybe not "love" it just yet, they take a few days to think about it, and then they decide to come back for another showing because, at the end of the day, this was "the" street. Second showings are always a good idea when making a large purchase and decision. And just like that, Bam! The second showing sealed the deal; my clients wanted to move forward.
Now, meandering the agent, he says he's got something verbal for "x" amount. Remember, at this point, we're not even live on the market yet, and now I have my clients in a competitive situation that I NEED to win for them by making the right chess moves. It felt impossible; how was I going to make this happen? It was complicated and delicate; this listing agent could be running himself into three potential deals. So, like any good agent, I strategized with my buyers and helped them work through strategy, comps, pricing, and terms. Shortly thereafter, the offer was submitted. That offer was rejected, and deflated wasn't even the word; I was floored that it wasn't accepted. I didn't sleep that night; I was sick to my stomach. It meant so much to my clients to be on this street with their friends and near their families. So I went back to work. Being rejected doesn't mean much, especially when they haven't accepted anything, so we returned to the drawing board. After making some connections, we restrategized the offer and resubmitted it. We were on the edge of our seats as we patiently waited for a response. It felt like an eternity. And then, after what felt like another four years of holding my breath, I got the call: our offer had been accepted!!!
The win always feels like the best part of the story, and for my clients, it sure is, but looking back on the hundreds of transactions, for me, it's always the pursuit of the deal. The middle is where the good stories are made and, ultimately, the most exciting part.
I got one of my favorite compliments from the listing agent on this deal: he said, "Erica, you're like a dog on a bone; if I were buying a home, I'd want you on my side."
The moral of the story is: never give up; if it's meant to be, there is always a way to make "it" happen, whatever "it" might be!
Xoxo
Erica
