Inspired Real Estate For Today

"We've been waiting for you to call.  When are you going to come and list our house?"  A little startled, I inquired about how long they had been waiting.  I had just been notified that a referral had come through and had called...I thought immediately.  After apologizing for a breakdown in communication, an appointment was scheduled in short order. 

3 offers and 4 months later she's waiting again.  But, this time, she's waiting for her appointment to sign documents at the Closing of her home.  I'm just a few minutes late due to having to fill up for gas...my son's been driving the car and on the way to the closing, I find I'm driving on fumes.  It's been quite a ride.  Grand Rapid, Michigan is going through a challenging period in real estate.  Currently, many homes are waiting 11-12 months to sell and get one offer.  So I know you're wondering...what's up with 3 offers?

Well, Offer #1came in with what we were assured was a pre-approved buyer.  As the nascent transaction progressed, the buyer developed into a marginally approved buyer and finally morphed into an unapproved buyer.  All this in a space of a couple of weeks.  Thank God, we didn't find out at the closing table.  Next!

Offer  #2 was definitely approved. In fact they had just lost out on a bidding war on another house.  They loved the house and wanted to close quickly!  Excellent.  The paperwork was completed and inspections were ordered. Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly...or so we thought.  Then the Sub-Prime Lending industry crashed. 

We were never informed that our "Conventional" transaction was in fact a Sub-prime deal.  So when news of the crisis in the sub-prime industry  began to bombard the airwaves, and calls to the lender to inquire on the progress of the transaction went unanswered, we demanded to know who was underwriting the loan.  Suddenly, NO ONE could give this Top Secret information.  No one could guarantee that they could close the loan either.  Another one bites the dust. 

My client was understandably very disappointed.  We assured her that we were in a far better position than those who had closed their deals that Friday, only to be informed on Monday that the homes they thought were Sold were NOT!  We suggested looking at a price reduction to create momentum for another offer. 

Then the knock came on the door.  Apparently, some buyers were in the neighborhood and wondered if they could look at the house.  I had warned them to not let anyone in if they showed up without a scheduled appointment...you never know who may just show up at the door. But his wife wasn't home, so the husband decided to take a chance and let them in.  It's true when they say real estate is never boring or predictable.  The "drop-in Buyers loved the home and with some coaching proceeded to write a good offer...Offer #3

The rest as they say is history.  Today, sitting in the Closing, we reminisced on the happenings of the past 4 months.  We were thankful to be sitting at a Closing Table, when so many who were seeking to sell their homes were not.  The last offer was the best offer...the best is sometimes saved for last!  But the focus of our time today was not on all the things that didn't happen the way we hoped or planned but on all the wonderful, good things that did fall into place sometimes unexpectedly. 

As we waited, she told me the story of how she met the love of her life, and shared the plans for the going away party he was planning to Celebrate this New Stage of their lives together.  She'd promised herself that she wouldn't cry...but she fought back tears as she described her life in this home with mixed emotions...bittersweet. It was a touching tale of pain and the triumph of hope through difficult times.  Kind of like the sale of the home. 

The new owners are getting a lovely, well maintained home in a good neighborhood where people watch out for each other.  With the assistance of a Spanish translator, the new owner and former owner exchanged information about the community and how neighbors keep their yards ablaze with flowers during the summer.  It was a touching moment.  A little unique slice of the American Dream being passed through on through the tradition of home ownership.

Throughout the closing, I was entertained by watching two cute toddlers scamper around  They were oblivious to the serious transaction that was taking place.  This was a tangible reminder that in spite of our differences in upbringing, culture and perspective...we all want the same thing...a safe place to call our own...a place to scamper and roam with abandon, simply...a place to call home!

Copyright 2007  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

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