Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain, said the great and powerful OZ. Why am I channeling ruby slippers and the yellow brick road? Because what my customers don't see behind the scenes is the reason that they need me.
I had the pleasure of spending 2 days last week with a couple moving back to the Central Florida after living in Ohio for two years. They missed the warm weather and couldn't see themselves living through another winter up-north.
They found me online, I'm hearing that more and more these days and we hit it off right away... We had several conversations about the areas that they were interested in, where they have to drive to work and their lifestyle. Many properties were emailed back and forth over the course of 3 days so that I could get a "feel" for what they were looking for.
The buyers were interested in a variety of homes and we scheduled to meet the first day at a new home community that they had seen online. We never looked at the homes in the community, once they were there, it wasn't what they were looking for. I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be right for them, but I wanted them to see it anyway.
They jumped into my car and I took them straight to the house that I knew they would buy. They fell in love the minute that they walked in the door. It was within their budget, it was new, the builder was willing to include the pool they wanted and it was a mere 20 minute commute to work. It was perfect, I knew and they knew it... they just needed to be sure.
We spent the next 3 hours that day and 3 hours the following day looking at about 7 other homes, but nothing compared to the "perfect house" that I showed them first. Last Friday they wrote a contract for the home and they close in a little over 2 weeks. They have already made a new friend in the neighborhood, their next door neighbor who I brought to the community too. I already had one happy customer there... now two.
What didn't they see behind the curtain? The choice I made over 20 years ago to move to Central Florida, 12 years of building experience as a project manager for a general contractor, countless hours I've spent driving around different communities, talking to builders, learning about different neighborhoods, staying current on road projects, walking through builder's models, studying the market, reading blogs, writing blogs and the endless enthusiasm I have for helping others reach their goals.
It's what my customers will never see that makes me an asset to their home buying experience.
If you are considering a move to, in or around Central Florida and are interested in a drive down the yellow brick road, call or email me... Put my years of experiences in Central Florida to work for you.
Contact Debbie Summers, REALTOR®, ALHS, e-PRO, RE/MAX Central Realty
Please contact Cas and Debbie for all of your real estate needs in Seminole County, Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka and Orlando.
407-758-1020 or Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com
I love this story! They were lucky to have you.
Great presentation, Debbie, your buyers are very lucky to have you, and also that the perfect house did not slip away before the offer was made, GOOD 4 YOU ;-)
Debbie, Congratulations on the sale...and for earning a new "Client for Life." It certainly makes sense that Buyers and Sellers should work with an agent who has been a long term resident of the area and who truly knows their profession. Again, congrats!
Great story. Good for you and good for them for finding you. There is more to us than meets the eye. So much is knowing your market and knowing people.
Melody - Thanks! I had such a great time with this couple... The will be the subject of several posts.
Mary - Thank you for your kind words. The signed the contract on their 16th Wedding Aniversary and I took them out to their favorite BBQ restaurant for lunch. It was a great day.
LaShawn - Thank you! You are not only a great friend, but a fabulous REALTOR too.
Audrey - I tell people that Real Estate is a lifestyle, it consumes you. I really see life differently and I think that everyone who excels in real estate feels the same way.
Consumers generally don't see much of what goes on behind the curtain and that's ok... We're supposed to make it look seamless, right? I know your folks are glad to have found you. Great post, Debbie.
Debbie,
What a great story!!! I love the way you write and express yourself! Not only are you good at what you do (obviously)...but you seem like a really wonderful person to boot!! Terrific combination!
If I ever go to Central Florida for vacation....will you take me to that same BBQ place??? My treat!
Great job Debbie....simply a great job!
Dave
Great, yet simple customer story worth sharing. Thanks
DEBBIE - This is an interesting perspective. I have actually felt this way about all of the work that gets done behind the scenes to make sure that the deal closes. I never thought about how my past experience is helpful to my clients. Although, I did mention my continuing education to a new client yesterday, which is in the same realm as past experience. Congrats on the feature, Debbie. Interesting post.
Hey Deb...good job. I understand what you mean...and maybe someday at least the winters will find us in a warmer place. I love the midwest and the greater Milwaukee area. We have lots of snowbirds that fly your direction. We have a huge Florida map in our office with pins to all the agents we have in different parts of Florida...they refer to us and we to them...wanna play ?
Ditto on the great story. I am still amazed that nomatter how hard one works, the behind the scenes part is never noticed! Have a great day
Great story! Your love of your work shines through. I think it's up to 80% of the buyers start their search online according to the NAR.
Great success story. Isn't real estate fun when the right people are doing the work? This is what real estate is all about. Happy closing!
Jesse - I love the fact that there is magic going on behind the curtain. Making it look easy, that's when you know you have a good agent... because this business is not easy... not at all.
Dave - Thank you, you are very kind to say that.
It's a date! To get a real taste of the area... you will have to go to atleast 3 or 4 of the top places. I'm ready anytime.
Tina - Thanks for reading and commenting. My best posts have been short and sweet.
Good Morning Adam - I read your comment in my email before realizing that I was featured. What a great surprise to wake up to. I didn't touch on continuing education, but you are exactly right... it's important too. I'm in the process of getting my GRI and attend as many "free" clinics as possible to learn more, my dad always said that Education is the Key To Success!
Sally & David - Yes I'm intrested in getting into the game! Thanks for commenting on another one of my posts...
Jim - If they really knew how much time and work went into being a REALTOR, buyers and sellers would want think that we were actually worth more to them.
Judy - Everyone's online! I'm so glad that I found AR... it's the place to be.
Kay - I love real estate... I felt so good when this couple fell for this house, you would have thought that I was moving in with them.
Debbie-Congratulations on the feature! You rock girl!
Yeah Debbie on your feature!! I knew this was a winner when I read it last night!! :)
Great story! The behind the scenes stuff is usually the most important of all! :)
That is a fantastic story. Experience pays off espcially in a market like this. Glad to see you getting another sale.
Debbie, this is such a great post! It sums up my feelings exactly with respect to all the intangibles which go into what we do and what makes us a valuable asset to the process. Well said!
Debbie,
Your hard dedicated work is paying off. Great job with this post and congratulations on the Activerain feature!
Good work Debbie!
More agents should find ways (tactfully) to inform consumers of the "behind the scenes" work that REALTORs do. It is a great value add.
Tim
Hi Debbie. Congrats on the wonderful post and on your closing.
You inspire me.
Ken
Proof positive that hard work and dedication pay off. You know your market & have the insight to anticipate your clients needs - that's experience and dedication to your craft. Good job!
Debbie,
Sounds like they were one lucky couple. I hope one day our value will finally be realized as Realtors. I know with each transaction closed smoothly that we gain a little more trust. I just hope we as Realtors continue to do the right things that will eventually rid us of an image that some consumers still see as tainted. Great job!
Isn't THAT the truth! Great story! I was just telling someone the other day that I felt like the wizard in OZ. There's so much the client never sees and we make our job look easy...on the outside.
Debbie- Congrats on your well deserved gold star too:) What a great story and uplifting too about your value. It is amazing that this experience is woven through the transaction with invisible thread that your buyers did not see but sure as heaven, felt.
Very nice article Debbie. It's not only our experience that is intangible, but clients and the public don't realize all of our unseen expense to stay a top notch Realtor. I've had several clients and friends become Realtors, only to "ice " their licenses due to all of the expenses.
Good story! They were lucky to have you> But most important is your passion for real estate.
LaShawn & Audrey - Thanks for the return visits girls... I appreciate the support!
Kelly - It's all about what goes on behind the curtain...
Thanks Rob... I appreciate your kind words.
Colleen - Most people think that we put signs in the yard and drive people around. Not even close, this job never ends... I don't even consider it a job, it's how I live my life.
Good Job. I am fond of these kinds of stories.
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Mike - Thank you... I was surprised by the feature! I love real estate... I always wake up excited about what's going to happen each day. I think about how many people don't like their jobs and I know that I'm lucky, even when things are tough.
Tim - I think you're right. The public has no idea what most "professional" REALTORS do on a daily basis to stay current with the ever changing business of real estate.
Ken - Anyone who reads your blog will be inspired. You've shown me that it's ok to put yourself out there... Right back at you.
Christa - Thank you... There is so much more to this business than just numbers.
Joshua & Kathy - I must be the only person who never had "negative" thoughts about REALTORS before I got in this business. I'm hoping that everyone I come in contact with learns what we are all about... people first!
Lizette - You and me both. I work very hard to make my job look easy...
Thank you for stopping by.
Nestor & Katerina - Thank you. Experience matters, my goal is to always keep learning... I was very fortunate to find AR, the exposure to others like yourselves has helped me become a better REALTOR every day.
Caroline - That's a powerful statement. I think sometimes they see us and think "that's easy" only to find out later that it was more "work" than what they could have ever imagined.
Jorge - Thank you... You have to have that burning inside of you to make it in this business...
Debbie, what an inspiring story. Yes, little do the consumers know what is behind the curtain, but you did and we do and that is ALL that matters.
Congratulations on the sale. Sounds as though they will be very happy in the home. All the best.
Way to go Debbie! Dont ever love your passion for blogging and for your customers, you are an asset to both.
Congratulations Debbie~ you make it sound so easy, thankfully we all know about the countless hours that go on behind the scene.
Way to go Debbie! That is the way we all hope real estate works,
Debbie, I agree that consumers don't really understand what we do for them and everything that goes into a successful transaction.
Debbie, thanks for sharing this great story. We are also glad you found us on Active Rain. We are still drafting that story about the (huge) TV set; and have another story about a huge washer/dryer set as well!
Kathryn & John
Great true story, Debbie, and a good analogy any of us might consider using. "They" really don't know what's behind the curtain!