Al and Joanne

When Al called asking me to meet with him and Joanne about selling her family's cottage, I could tell that it wasn't going to be your typical hour long interview. He was funny but no-nonsense (and loved to tell stories) and I could hear her in the background making sure he didn't forget anything he was supposed to tell me. There was a lot of history here.

They were meeting with a few different Realtors® to see which one was the right fit for them and because I had sold their neighbour's place they thought they should meet with me too. (Turns out they had been watching and listening to how I had treated their longtime neighbour's sale... happy to report they were pleased!) I set aside the following afternoon for our appointment, did some research, and headed out to Long Point when it was my turn.  

Warm handshakes, a cool drink and some cookies were the first order of the day. We spoke at length about the history of what had brought Joanne's family to Long Point, and the cottage that her late father had built. A tour of the channel-side vacation home led to some getting to know you conversation before any of my paperwork was even consulted. I could tell that it was going to be an emotional time, especially for Joanne, and there was absolutely no point in rushing. And besides, who wouldn't love a good story from a former City Councillor and an enthusiastic Geneaologist? 

Business aside I left the appointment that afternoon rooting for them personally. They had certainly had enough challenges and they deserved a break. Of course, I was hoping that they would choose me to help them through this part of their lives, I really liked them. 

Fortunately they liked me too and decided that we were a good match for each other both personally and professionally. We worked together to get the cottage on the market quickly and talked about what the next little while might look like. We discussed the whole process from the listing procedures to Open Houses to Showings to the eventual Offer/Negotiation stages. It wasn't just about the paperwork though, it was about preparing emotionally to let go. 

When the time came, we put together an acceptable offer and everything went relatively smoothly (a few hiccups are to be expected though Al did NOT enjoy them). It was a shorter closing than we had originally hoped for so that the new family could enjoy part of the summer making their own memories. They were troopers through the whole thing and I enjoyed my time working with them very much. 

I've since had the pleasure of a couple of lunch dates with Al and Joanne, and have been the recipient of some yummy homemade scones. He'll send me a text of the deer that come to his yard at home or to tell me something funny.

When I asked him for a photo for my story about them he couldn't find any with both of them in it. I told him to take a selfie to which he replied "tried that, need a wider lens or longer arms". Oh Al :)