Jim Valentine: More random real estate musings

Buying and selling a home is like building a three-dimensional puzzle. There are so many parts to consider that you must always be watching, thinking and feeling. The latter, feeling, is one of the most critical for that is where you get your hunches about things.

Always listen to your hunches about things and act accordingly. There are many tales to tell about buyers and sellers and agents going with their “gut feeling” about something and realizing later that they made the right choice because of it.

Sometimes it is simply adding a clause to a contract that you don’t normally use. We did that one for an easement that was being granted. The owner signed the agreement, but we weren’t going to record it for a while for assorted reasons.

A few years later we recorded the document. A few months after that the owner filed bankruptcy. The bankruptcy attorney tried to say it was a fraudulent conveyance (because of “insider knowledge”) and was going to have the court negate the easement, but we pointed out the clause that said the document would be recorded at a later date to provide constructive notice to the world. His eyebrows raised and he backed off. Not a common clause but thankfully we thought to write it in that case.

Then there are the times when you have to trust that the other side will perform. We had a situation where the range was missing a knob on a high-end home. The seller said he had ordered a new range/oven to replace the old one.

Not knowing what brand or model gave the buyers cause for concern. We offered to take a credit for the appliance, but the seller said it was coming and stuck to replacing it through a couple of delivery delays. When we saw it, we were shocked. The unit was gorgeous. Fourteen knobs, eight burners, three ovens, and a special three level wok burner that heated evenly around a wok, etc. What a prince of a seller. A man of integrity.

Amazing things happen when buyers and sellers work together toward the goal of closing with respect and integrity. Everyone gets what they want and deserve. In such situations, they often get more as the relationship creates a giving mindset. The seller often leaves extra assets in those cases and the buyer overlooks minor items instead of creating the proverbial molehill mountain.

Agents experience a lot of things in their career. We know agents that have run out of gas with customers in the car, locked themselves out of their car with customers in tow, locked themselves out of the house they are showing with their car keys inside, had the cat/dog escape while the door was open, walked in on couples displaying affection, experienced shower surprises and more. Keeping calm and working through the situation is the key, especially if the experience involves a home that could work well for the customer.

Real estate is a people business and people do things. The agent must keep things stable as weird, wonderful, unbelievable, shocking, pleasing things transpire. Guide it to a positive outcome to the best of their ability and do what is best for the customer.

The hypodermic needle the buyer stubbed his toe on two days after moving in could be for a pet’s insulin. Quick thinking answer it was that turned out to be true. Accept the surprises as inevitable for so many people are putting so much thinking power into transaction things are bound to happen. Be ready for it.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Gold Carson Valley, 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com.