When you get involved in the Real estate business, you come across the true nature of humanity. You get to see and the good-hearted, well meaning people that truly act in their clients interests as well as all the bottom feeders that are really only looking for their next paycheck.

While I will admit that I have seen a fair share of client neglect from some agents, that is not what this blog is about. This blog is to tell a better story about someone who really showed they are a true gentleman.

I had a very attractive listing that I had been trying to sell for a short time. The property had been listed with another agent previously for a year with no result.  The agent, works for the same company I do, called me and asked me to get involved as he believed my marketing strategies would be more effective and would get the property sold. (long story short, it did and the property sold quickly)

I recently had an occasion to meet the the previous listing agent in person at a function about a month ago. Obviously we knew each by this property and, since we had both worked on this particular listing, knew the background of the other. Previously we had only spoken over the telephone so we introduced ourselves formally and made some polite small talk during the course of the evening.  All-in-all a very pleasant evening.

About a month ago,  I got a call from that agent asking if I would handle a Lakeview client of his that he does not have the time to work (more on this later). Needless to say I was surprised. However, he congratulated me on selling the listing he had not been able to and remarked that he had gone through all my web pages and liked the diversity of my advertising and marketing. So much so, he told me what day his most recent listing contract was going to expire and that I should expect a call from the property owner the morning after. I was speechless but thanked him. He even turned down a referral fee!

Not being one to count the chickens before they hatch, I waited for the day to come. Sure enough, the property owner called me when I was told he would and asked if I would handle the re-listing of their property. It is a small 1 br unit that will move slowly but I am honored this other agent thought enough of me to refer a client. After talking with the client for a few minutes, I discovered that this is a serious investor that wants to purchase an additional 10-15 rental units in the next 5 years. He told me that this small unit would be the first of the sales he intended to make and wanted me to handle all his property buys/sells based on the other agents recommendation.

Obviously the other agent knows that he just gave away over $3,500,000 worth of property transactions. I called him and said thank you again (this time with a lot more excitement). He told me that he wanted his client to be taken care of and he only wanted to give out referrals to agents that he felt good about.  (This agent sells over $10M a year so his recommendation means something with a lot of powerful people). Again he turned down a referral fee when I offered!

Instead he told me that he was moving South and that he was going to look into land speculation. He doesn't want to be in the buying/selling game any longer but wants to make certain his better clients are taken care of. I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I will endeavor to do my best!

Thanks a million (or three) Gino! Have a great pseudo-retirement!
You're clients are in good hands!