RE/MAX Hallmark Blog

"forty-seven kisses"

Thanks for looking after us today, what is your name? She smiled and said Christina.

For many years now I have taken up the habit of being "present" with people helping me or providing a service. Looking them in the eye, asking their name, about them. It is a habit I picked up from my father. He would always pay attention to his restaurant servers. It  made for interesting conversation and learning.

Today was no different for me. Christina was a bright young woman who had been on the job in this restaurant for a couple of months. I was to learn she was 23 and lived at home with her mother - occasionally spending time with her father who lived in the city as well. She was full of passion and ideas. When I asked her what she wanted to do, she told me she wanted to perhaps go to university and get a degree.

Are you in real estate she asked? She noticed the pin on my lapel. I am saving to buy a condo - my mother has told me she will match any money I save to help me with my down payment.

We talked more about the benefit of home ownership, especially starting at such a young age. Christina got it and was intent on making it happen. She was living at home to save as much money as she could.

About this time, I noticed a tattoo saying on her shoulder - it was a hot day and Christina was wearing a light top.

What is that I asked and what does it mean?

"forty-seven kisses"

Christina went on to tell me the most beautiful story about her and her dad. She said  each time her dad said goodbye to her, from an early age, he would throw her forty-seven kisses. forty-seven kisses were hers to take with her along her way.

I looked at her in amazement - the impact of the love from her dad and his words. The difference it had made in her life. I said to her, dad must be one incredible man. Of course she said, he is my dad.

Christina carries the reminder of her dads saying on her shoulder and will for the rest of her life. I don't think she really needed the tattoo as a reminder but I am glad she has it. Her story touched me.

It is amazing the impact of being engaged can have on ones life. I am so glad I got to talk to Christina and thankful for her forty seven kisses tattoo story.

 

 

 

 

Clients thought they were being set up

Sometimes you can't win.

This morning I received a call from a "senior" realtor with Hallmark. The senior part reflecting years of experience.

This realtor went on to relate an experience which occurred within the last few days. The realtor wanted to give me the "heads up" in case I heard from a member of the public on the matter.

It seems this realtor had met these "clients" in the usual way. The realtor determined their wants, needs and price point. A thorough meeting took place prior to any showings. These clients and the realtor had a meeting of the minds and decided to work together. Life was good for all.

Eventually a property of interest showed up which checked off everything for them. The discussion got around to doing a "pre-emptive" offer on the property. The realtor called the listing broker to get some background info. It was all a go.

Within hours, this realtor was informed by the listing broker that another offer was coming in. The realtor had a meeting with the clients and the decision was made to not compete. No worries - the realtor informed the listing broker that the clients would not be coming with an offer.

Next day, it was determined that the competing offer wasn't accepted and the property was still available.. The realtor informed the clients and all hell broke loose.

The clients went up and down on this realtor - throwing accusations about how it was all a set up and that there never was another offer. The realtor offered all the supporting info but to no avail. In the mind of the client, it was all a ruse to get them to offer and put in a higher price. It wasn't of course - with a fast moving market - things change.

A small part of me can understand the thought process of the clients - they didn't trust the "game" Not sure what the realtor could of done to gain their trust - with all of the press about realtors playing games with the public. This realtor runs business in a straight forward, transparent manner. Communication was key and intentional.

Because of the thought pattern of the clients, they are not bidding on the home which they wanted. They came to a conclusion which was wrong.

So what is the lesson in all of this? I didn't offered anything to this realtor which would of been different from what was done. The clients were intent that they were being set up, and that goes a long way to speaking to the state of our industry.

When it is all said and done, we can only continue to run our business in a transparent manner, ethical and with integrity. Some people will expect to be "taken" and perhaps they will eventually scope out someone who will - unfortunate as that is for all of us.