One of the most personal decisions we ever make is deciding where to live. Our home is the center of our lives. For nearly four decades I have had the privilege of helping over 1000 individuals and families make life changing decisions about where to live, where to start their families, how to move to their desired neighborhood or school district, or whether it was time to downsize and prepare for retirement. So many big life choices are wrapped around real estate decisions. Being part of so many lives has rewarded me, and thousands of Realtors like me, in ways that far outshine the money we earn along the way. How can you put a value on tears of happiness shared during those big moments? How can you value the friendships forged through all of life’s changes – weddings, new babies, promotions, and job transfers? Can you put a price on the moments shared comforting someone who has lost a parent or a spouse through death, or the tears shed when a couple you have helped build a life from their dating years to their children’s graduations, are now divorcing?
Realtors bring a human touch to what, for most people, is also one of the largest financial decisions they will ever make. Some homebuyers may not feel they need an agent, after all they can find a home on the Internet and see it at an open house. What many may not realize is that it was a Realtor who paid for those professional photos, helped their client declutter and stage their home and who researched all the ins and outs of the neighborhood to put that information online for all to see. For buyers, agents negotiate on their behalf, advovcating for them and helping them get the best price and terms. Realtors wear many hats. They have the knowledge and experience to guide clients through the maze of legalities and paperwork involved in buying and selling real estate and can help them avoid many of the difficulties they can encounter along the way. They are involved in their communities, and they are advocates for the value that home ownership brings to those communities. When you want to know the pros and cons of an area, ask your Realtor. When you are thinking about the pros and cons of purchasing an investment property – whether its your first or your fifth – ask your Realtor. When you are thinking about doing a room addition or building an accessory dwelling unit, ask your Realtor for their perspective. Years after you move into your home your Realtor is there to answer questions about your mortgage, your taxes, your insurance, and your plumbing. So, ask your Realtor because we have trusted partners and can guide you to get the answers you need to make your best decisions. Your Realtor is a trusted friend, confidant, and advisor. You see, we don’t just get paid for the hours spent showing homes, marketing properties, negotiating the best deal for our clients, or the countless sleepless nights wondering if we have done everything humanly possible to keep your transaction going smoothly until closing day. No, a Realtor’s true value comes long after moving day when we are with you through all of life’s ups and downs, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. How do you put a price on that? You can’t, but if you have a Realtor who has been there for you, refer them to your friends and family members. And, you could really brighten their day today with a call to say, “Thanks for being there!”