In January I received a call from someone that currently had his home on the market. The listing was going to expire the end of February and I was asked if I would be interested in listing it after it expired. I replied that the house was priced too high but that yes I was interested in working with the owners.
The caller's name sounded very familiar to me and I was certain that I had worked with him and his wife briefly some time ago. Sure enough, he told me that back in the Spring of 2004 they had spoken with me and I had been very helpful. Fortunately, I had sent out mass e-mails now and again as well as just listed and just sold cards which helped them remember me.
Tip: Do not remove anyone from your contact list unless they request you to. Who knows when they may need a REALTOR®.
Back in 2004 they bought a waterfront lot directly from a devleoper. They 
then had a home built and when they decided to put it on the market they went with the real estate company that belonged to the builder's family.
Now they were turning to me to help them. Living abroad made it essential that they have someone at Lake Anna that would remain in touch with them and advise them of changes in the market. That I did immediately and we agreed on a substantially lower listing price.
We have had the house on the market since March 1 and have recently received a contract. We are in negotiations right now. Time will tell how that turns out.
The purpose of this post is to remind all of you that the time you take to help someone may be rewarded way after the fact. Our rewards are not always instantaneous. The good feelings that I felt when I was told many years later that they had been impressed with my abilities and my helpfulness back in 2004 was a pleasant and unexpected reward.
No wonder I feel great about being a REALTOR®.
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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.
Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.
Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.
©Copyright Kate Elim 2011
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GET MOVING WITH KATE!
540-226-1964 cell
lakeanna-realestate.com (Blog)
Hi Kathleen - Great advice. I'm a great believer in paying it forward.
Patience does pay off. I posted a blog tonight about a listing I just sold in a couple of days. The sellers have been getting the home ready since Jan. We were going to list at the begining of March and just did this past Saturday. I wish you the best.
Great story. People always remember when we do something they do not like. It is nice when they remember us in the long run for something we do right. I do believe strongly that in the end doing the right thing pays off.
Thanks for your story, Kate. It's great to see the inflence we can have over time. They may have selected you for your perseverence in continuing to send those emails : )
Thank You Kate,
It is nice to know that we make a lasting impression on the people work with! I loved your story. Thank You for sharing it.
kate,
Do not delete them from your database, but I also tell them that if they do not want to receive anything from us, we will delete their record no questions asked.
That is surely a good patience. It is nice that some people do remember they were helped. I have been told by books that people usually do not remember that
Kate - I'm sure this well deserved compliment came at just the right time. They always do. We aren't always validated for waht we do only what doesn't sell.
Hi Kathleen, Good post. Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
Awesome house, and quick contract. That is good to hear, Kate. Never remove anyone from your data base unless they ask. Very true and so critical not only with data base members but also leads that come in.
Hi Marlene...Absolutely. Impressions last so we need to make the most of them when we have the opportunity.
Kate
Hi Nate...Thanks for sharing your good news with us. I'll be sure to check your blog.
Kate
Hi Renee...You are so right. You can do 99 things right and only one thing wrong and that is what is remembered.
Thanks for commenting.
Kate
Hi Bob...I'm sure it was that plus Dave said they had found me very helpful when they originally contacted me. Being helpful is such a big part of our job.
Kate
Hi Judy...Yes, we do make lasting impressions and we need to try hard to make sure they are good, accurate ones.
Kate
Hi Jon...Being a recipient of too many unwanted e-mails, I completely concur. Fortunately, not too many choose to be removed.
Kate
Hi Huiting...I have read the same thing, that most people don't even remember the name of the agent that helped them buy their home.
Perhaps that is why it is especially gratifying to be remembered like this.
Kate
Hi Laura...Good things always seem to come along when you need them.
It certainly is good to get a pat on the back once in a while.
Kate
Kate - Heck, I've worked with folks upwards of four years before making them a loan. In that respect, I have a plethora of patience. That is probably why I'm still in this gig. It seems you work the same, nice job!
Kate - Congratulations! That's a great story and a good reminder for us all... :)
Hi Laura...I'm always ready for a compliment.
It is great when people appreciate what we try to do for them.
Kate
Hi Sash...Thanks,
Kate
Hi Missy...No one gets aways from me.................................unless they want to.
Kate
P.S. We're still negotiating, I think.
Hi Jason...I like that attitude.
I'm 72 and I'm still in this for the long haul. I enjoy it and I want to do it well.
Kate
Kate, as usual you have done an excellent and encouraging post. You can never go wrong by doing the right thing. It is easy to see that you would be most helpful and diligent in your efforts to help your clients. Congrats on your offer....hope it works out well.