Practice Grace.
Real estate is a customer service type job. We are the professionals that people consult when they need to buy or sell one of their most significant assets. These transactions bring a lot of stress, and the stress is compounded when you have recently lost your spouse.
I have had several transactions recently with clients who were recently widowed and left with the task of selling their home on their own. Often, the other spouse handled all of the home maintenance and bills, so the remaining spouse lacked knowledge about the home they may have lived in for many years. This adds to their stress and this is where Realtors need to practice grace.
Last year, I listed a home for such a person. Their spouse had been gone for less than a year, and the house was too big for one person. We put it on the market and had 34 showings that first weekend, resulting in 6 offers. We accepted the offer that promised the easiest closing, but unfortunately, that didn’t come to pass. The contract was full of last-minute discussions and needed quick decisions, and it became very stressful for everyone. The contract eventually fell apart, and my seller was understandably exhausted and anxious from the whole process. We could have easily jumped into another offer, but my seller decided to take the house off the market and find a roommate. At this point, several people were telling me to drop the listing. It was also emotionally draining for me, and I was encouraged to step away. I refused. This person needed grace. They simply were not ready to sell.
Seven months later, they decided to try again. We had long discussions about the process and finally put the house back on the market. We immediately received three offers and accepted the one that was the best fit for my seller. I had the good fortune of working with a buyers agent who I know to be very empathetic to people’s needs. I explained that my seller needed time. Time to think. Time to absorb. Time to consider before making decisions. The buyers agent understood and did just that. Every request was made with the understanding that my seller needed time, allowing my seller to make decisions that were right for them and not because they were rushed. This led to a reasonably straightforward transaction, and my seller is now moving on to their next chapter with peace of mind, knowing that everything went as it should.
Practice grace. We don’t know what people are dealing with at any given time. Give them room and space. Selling and buying homes is stressful for all involved, and a Realtors job is to alleviate this stress.
