Monday Morning Match is a simple post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
I spent a few hours this week at the doctors. No, I wasn’t sick and it wasn’t a medical doctor. It was a home I’ll be listing for sale later this summer that belongs to Doc R. and his wife, Lois. (Now, so as not to confuse people, Doc wasn’t a medical doctor but did hold a Ph.D. of Metallurgical Engineering.) The actual “client” I’ll be working with is Doc’s son, Doyle, who has been a buddy of mine for close to thirty years. Doyle initially referred me to his parents twenty years ago when they moved here from Michigan and I helped them purchase this house.
Through the years I would stay connected to Doc and his wife the way every Realtor tries to stay connected to their clients. Mailings, newsletters, and if I was in the neighborhood, I would knock on their door just to say hello and see if there was anything I could do to help. It became easier when some of Doyle’s close friends bought the house next door and were able to keep an eye on Doc and his wife each day as they grew older and less mobile.
Time Waits for No Man
When Doc’s wife of 54 years passed away a year ago, the decision was made by the family to move Doc to an assisted living facility nearby. It would be easier and was in the best interest of everyone. As it turned out, the timing was probably ideal anyway, as the next door neighbors found their dream home across town and sold their house and moved out just a few weeks ago.
“Be quick, but don’t hurry“
John Wooden
“Be quick, but don’t hurry” is one of my favorite quotes by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. It’s fitting because I always thought that Doc reminded me of Coach Wooden, both with his professorial looks and his quiet, friendly manner. I’m sure people who know Doc read this, they’ll agree with that comparison. It’s also a fitting quote because ever since Doyle first reached out to start the process of selling his parent’s house, it’s always been about “being quick, but not hurrying.”
You see, Doyle and I started the long process a little more than 8 months ago and have been diligent about all the things he needed to do to prepare the home for sale. Due to his parents weakened mobility and physical capabilities, there were some things we identified as priorities that needed to be addressed with the house such as the roof, some minor repairs, wallpaper removal and painting, and other cosmetic issues. Doyle has been very patient along the way, diligent in his actions, and always seeking guidance and advice along the way. We have shared timelines, plans, and “action items” between us to make sure we are progressing towards the day we can finally put the home on the market in the best possible scenario for a positive experience.
The Next Chapter
Last week Doyle was finally confident that everything of importance was out of the house. Now, by “everything of importance,” I mean personally identifiable information, financial documents, legal papers, and any other family items that should be respected and carried on. Once that was complete, it was time for some third-party haulers to come in to remove “everything else.” that could have distracted Doyle and his loved ones during the process. As the last items were carried out the front door and put into the trailer, the house was empty. Period. End of sentence. Turn the page. It was as if another chapter came to a close.
All of Doc’s “stuff” was gone from the house, but it is (as of now) still Doc’s house. There is still paint to rolled on walls, floors to be refinished and new carpet to be laid. A good old-fashioned cleaning needs to happen, a green thumb needs to be waved over the yard and landscape, and some fresh flowers will finish off the final touches of staging before the lockbox goes on the door.
Maybe once the home hits the market, the “Story of Doc & Lois” will be nearing its dramatic close, but until then there are a few more chapters to write. Until the home has sold, the first door on the left up the stairs will be Doc’s office.
What We as Realtors Do
As I watched the haulers drive away with the trailers behind their trucks filled with “stuff,” I was reminded what we as Realtors do; We help our clients transition from one chapter of their life to the next. We have the opportunity to guide them along on their journey, provide insights and assistance, serve as a sounding board, and as best we can we control the process while letting them make the decisions. While we always aim for a quick sale that nets our client’s top dollar, we really just hope we can provide great service and memorable experiences to our clients along the way.
Doyle and I still have a few things “to do” before the house will hit the market. We’ll get there quickly, but we won’t hurry. Something tells me when we get to the end of that final chapter, and the next family is leaving the closing table with excitement and anticipation to start writing their next chapter, Doyle and I will take a deep breath, smile, raise a beer to his Mom and Dad and say, “it was just what the Doctor ordered.”
Photo courtesy of Jan Kahánek
Photo courtesy of Philipp Berndt