I'LL ALWAYS BE DAD'S SUNSHINE

       Last week I had the opportunity to go on a listing appointment that was referred to me by a Mortgage Broker that does Reverse Mortgages.  Little did I know what I was stepping into as I ran the door bell and waited for her approach.  While waiting I had the chance to jot down some notes on what needs to be done on the outside to make it look more presentable.  When, the door opened I almost passed out from the stench that was coming from the inside of this home.  As I introduced myself I knew that this was going to be a challenge.

Taking a deep breath of fresh air before entering I slowly walked in.  My shoes were now sticking to the floor as I approached the dining room area and as I walked I would literally have to pull my shoes so they wouldn't stay behind!

I sat at the dining room table where I could see the garbage piled up on the lanai.  While I'm sitting there I was thinking, "man what a mess"!  How am I ever going to sell this place in the condition it's in and with this sweet lady not realizing that this will need to be cleaned up from top to bottom!

As I sat there talking to her she had told me that she wanted me to "tell her like it is" Fortunately or maybe unfortunately for her I am well known for this and this is probably why the property got referred to me in the first place.  With my ASP (Accredited Staging Professional) degree behind me and without trying to take a deep breath at this time I started my unique gift of "telling it like it is"!

"First", I said to her "we need to get this place cleaned up", "the carpeting needs to be completely pulled out", "this large piece of furniture has to go, as it takes up over one third of the living area"!  "Then, we need to get someone in here that will take care of all the trash, by trash I mean everything on the lanai that is not needed, this includes any magazines, books, papers, etc. that is not really needed by you."  But then the bombshell came.  "But," she says to me, "I don't have any money".

I am well aware that many people in today's world are in dire circumstances so I asked about the home and how long she had lived there.  She informed me that she owned the home outright, so without a second thought I said, "Let's get and equity line of credit then."  Then the second bombshell went off when she said, "I can't, my credit isn't any good."  So, now I'm thinking that this will be more difficult than I first thought as not only is she behind in her HOA dues, she can't even get a equity line of credit!

While I was there pondering what I could do to help this lady out I kept thinking "who would help".  I made a few phone calls and started writing some notes for her as a guideline for "things to do".  I stayed with her and talked with her for over 2 hours.  During this conversation I had told her that I can't get her the best and highest price for her home because of the stench and condition of the home.  That I felt even if a minor things were changed she could reap a better return on her investment.

When I left that woman she had a plan, a mission that she was on and I knew that in a matter of weeks, she could have the place presentable enough that it would sell without having to "give it away"!  She had made plans to move with her daughter in Virginia and I felt better knowing that she was going somewhere where she could get some quality care.

Needless to say on the way home, I couldn't stand the way I smelt, the smell was everywhere, in my hair, on my feet, on the suit I had been wearing.  As I pulled into the driveway of my home I sat and thanked God that I maybe I would be able to help this woman.  To make her last years better for her in some respect.  Of course, the very next thing on my adjenda was quick get out of these clothes, out of the smell and stench that had now appeared on my person.  I knew that no matter what I did, a shower and washing machine was the only way that I could get rid of the profuse odor that lurked around me.

Things didn't turn out quite the way we thought though.  I got a call from my Mortgage Broker friend, he informed me that the daughter couldn't accept mom at this time.  My heart sank, not for me, but for this poor woman as I know that seeing and being with her Granddaughter was the up-most importance to her.

Long story short, my Mortgage Broker friend is doing a reverse mortgage for her and she will be staying in the home.  However, sometimes I feel that I am awfully rough on people but with that being said I have vowed stay committed to: "Telling it like it is".

I AM LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK FROM YOU ON THIS STORY.  DO YOU THINK THAT I AM RIGHT OR WRONG WHEN IT COMES TO THIS?

Katie Creek
727-415-4669
www.FL-WaterFrontProperty.com