Today I received a call "out of the blue" from a fellow ActiveRain real estate agent, who works with a different brokerage.
We share a target territory in common and knew each other professionally prior to joining AR, not to mention we speak from time-to-time about real estate things in general. Whenever possible, we try to show one another's listings. He's a family man and a successful agent, who also has another profession that he works hard at everyday. Most importantly, he's always positive and pleasant whenever we encounter one another. 
The purpose of his call today was 2-fold...
#1 He congratulated me on a new listing I just took; my biggest thus far $1,875,000. Here is the post about the listing and here is the virtual tour.
#2 He let me know that he has a townhouse /condo listing that is set to expire at the end of December. He feels pretty certain the seller won't re-list with him. He mentioned that he and the seller started off on the right foot initially, but some how along the way things started to go sour.
This agent actually noted a particular time when the seller called him about something regarding the listing, and unfortunately he took longer than anticipated to call the seller back.
In the agent's own words he knew he "dropped the ball" with the seller. Of course I'm thinking to myself, "That's not so bad...I mean, what agent hasn't 'dropped the ball' on an occasion or two or even three? Who hasn't gotten caughtup in the rigors of the day and returned calls later than they desired to?"
According to the agent, the seller has had a tendency to be a bit unreasonable in his expectations at times, but despite that he still said the seller "really is a nice guy." WOW!
Now let me get to the most incredible part of reason #2...
The agent wanted to give me the heads-up first, because as he put it, he wants to see the seller:
- Re-list with "an agent he likes and respects...one who will take good care of the seller" to finally get the listing SOLD if possible.
- He said he doesn't want t a referral (despite me offering one 2x's).
- He just wants the seller to be with a new agent who "shoot straight and be honest with him"
- He wants the seller to be with a new agent who "get the home SOLD!"
Needless to say this quietly "BLEW ME AWAY!" This agent (whom I already had a lot of respect for anyway), thought so favorably of me to do something so incredibly gracious. I knew we always shared mutual respect for one another and we know one another casually, but I had no idea he held those sentiments. He could have called anybody in the world, and yet he chose to call me. How awesome is that?!?!?
The agent suggested that he should not be the one to refer the seller to me, since it might leave a sour taste in his mouth since they may not end on the best of terms over the next few weeks when the listing expires. However, he encouraged me to preview the listing, so that when the listing does expire, I may have a good shot at it.
Who knows...maybe this agent will get it SOLD before it expires. If he does, then 'more power to him, because he deserves it.'
I have deliberately left his name out of this post, because he specifically mentioned he doesn't want the attention- he was just doing what felt "right" to him. I also don't want it to cause any issues potentially for him within his office, because he is affiliated with Brand "X" and I'm with Weichert Realtors.
I can't express in words how much I appreciate the selflessness this agent displayed today. It had such a profound yet humbling effect on me, I just felt like I had to share it with you. I hope that you will "pay it forward" and share this with someone else, so that maybe they will be a blessing to someone else in a similar way.
Whether I get the listing or not (and I'm definitely going to try to earn it if by chance the agent doesn't sell it first), what this agent did today in one phonecall was one of the most inspiring and genuine acts of kindness & generosity I have ever experienced in real estate in life and I can't wait to return the favor.
For that, I thank him from the bottom of my heart!
With gratitude,
Amber
