- Image by e_monk via Flickr
So I lost a short sale to auction last week. It was my second one in recent months, so I guess, statistically speaking, it’s not all that bad. The problem is, this isn’t statistics. These are real people, with real problems that I’ve signed on to tackle. The first one I lost only had nine days before the bank planned to auction it off, so I guess it wasn’t rocket science that we didn’t get in under the wire, but by God, I gave it my best shot.
The recent one was more heart-breaking because this couple did everything right: tried for a loan mod, explained to the lender that they lost a job, hired me as an agent. I got them a 10k above appraisal price offer….um, CASH, and I did everything I was supposed to, however, the “investor” decided to reject it. Even the lender was disappointed.
But this post is not about real estate (I know, hard to swallow).
After seeing me so down and out for this couple who tried to avoid foreclosure (with my help) but now had only days to relocate, someone close to me asked, “Why do you work so hard on the ones that don’t make you any money?” I was busy looking up Carmichael apartments for this couple on Craig’s List so it took a minute for the question to sink in.
Then it hit me.
I know with all my heart that we’re all here with some particular talent or service, and mine just happens to be real estate. Real estate is how I help people. I counsel them, inspire them, educate them, and try to use my skills to help them prevail in the best way possible. I find that when I focus on the service and the client (as opposed to the money that may or may not be involved), I am my most productive. In fact, I have often learned the most when I’ve earned the least…and there’s gotta be a nugget of something good in that.
The bottom line is this: if we all work to do something nice for someone else—pay it forward in one way or another, just for the sake of service–it comes back to us. To date, I’ve been blessed with untold referrals, favors and friendships that I wouldn’t even have thought were possible. It’s like that old saying, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” Pay it forward, with no expectations, and just see what happens. And I’d love to hear about your experience!
Thank you for reading this 
Catch my radio show…always positive and productive: www.inlovewithsacto.com, Weds at 10 AM or catch the podcasts anytime.
Tamara
