My Passion For Real Estate

Leisa, a fellow blogger at LeisaWatking.com recently asked about passion and enthusiasm from other bloggers. My story is below. Thank you Leisa for the reason to bring this story back to me and share it in print. Permission granted by my clients to share their story.

First of all, while outside of my office and in the field, helping my neighbors and community achieve their Ohio Real Estate goals is my priority, passion and why I love being a Realtor. When it comes to buying or selling a home, there are many elements that have to fall into place. Many steps have to be taken correctly and timely. Having an advocate is very important. Unique advertising, experience and extensive Real Estate knowledge is key. I pride myself in being able to take care of my clients and give them all the tools and advice they'll need to make a wise decision and have a smooth home buying or selling process.

It's a great feeling getting to know my clients, making sure they are represented completely. They should be enjoying this exciting time and not have to deal with the stress or details regarding the transaction.

Being in the real estate industry and full time for five years, I've seen a lot of changes. I've also helped many different people purchase many different homes. Each case is unique and special. Relocation is enjoyable. Helping people make the move from all over the country and world and hearing their stories and situations makes my job fun. Building relationships with my buyers and sellers along the way and watching them move up the housing and financial ladder is rewarding.

There's no greater feeling than giving someone the keys to their new home and seeing the emotions, expressions and excitement that beams from their eyes and face. It makes all the hard work, effort and sometimes stresses of what I do behind the scenes for them, completely worth it. Knowing you have helped someone make a solid decision and guiding them through questions and the process is priceless. Real people, real families, real futures. I'm a part of it and that's a rewarding job to have.

Although there are many different price ranges, personalities, stories and scenarios to share, my all time favorite was helping a family from Sudan....

They initially came to me from a friend who new the husband. He worked thirteen hours a day seven days a week in a store that was owned by someone else. He had four beautiful babies at home and an angel for a wife. They were very humble, soft spoken people and their gratitude and love for life, immeasurable.

Their English was choppy, and communication with them was at times difficult. We always laughed at the gaps and dealt with it. We learned how to understand each other. They were living in an attached town home in a crime infested area of Cleveland. Their living conditions were no fault of their own. They had a slum-lord and while visiting them at their home for the first time, I knew they wanted more for their family. Desperately the mother and wife explained to me using finger motions and tears welting up in her eyes, how the fast cheh-cheh-cheh sounds at night can no longer be lived with... Mice were in her children's closets and her baby had been bitten while she slept.

While sitting there, I witnessed a couple for myself scurrying into the dining room. She took me into her well kept kitchen and showed me all the dry goods she had in her refrigerator. She could keep nothing out or in the cabinets except canned goods.

There were holes in the foundation of this 100+ year building, and one of her children's bedrooms had a bucket on the floor due to a leaky pipe that the wonderful landlord ignored after being pleaded with time and time again. The house was drafty and cold with old rattling windows which led them to have astronomical heating bills. No laundry facilities so she had to go to the laundromat.

A desperate mother indeed.

I had a feeling come over me as I listened and witnessed her agony and struggle. I knew I was going to help this family. I knew I was going to do whatever I could in my power to get them get out of there.

We had endless issues with getting them approved for a loan and finding something large enough on their budget to live in, in a decent area.

We shopped for potential houses and we finally found one that she fell in love with. I kept explaining to her during the process that this is a long shot and it might not go through if the loan is rejected. Her nerves were on end for a month. She didn't know if she should pack, plan, be happy or devastated. I've never been so emotionally attached and involved in my life. Every day of that month was like a year dragging.

I finally got the news from the lender as I held my breath, they said we had approval.

I sat silent... My eyes teared up as they are now reliving this experience...

When I told her the news that we were going to close on the house in a couple of days and it was final, nobody could take it away now... her voice trembled and all she could say was "Thank you Cecilia, thank you Cecilia" I knew it was the most genuine thank you I had ever received.

I met them at the house to give them the keys to their quaint 3 bedroom brick bungalow on a quiet small street with fenced in yard, an actual parking spot, (2-car garage and driveway) which they had never known. Previously she had to park her mini-van wherever she could find a spot on that dangerous street and walk with her babies, groceries and laundry through the unkept sidewalks filled with snow.

The home was adorable and clean. I made sure we had a good inspection and all was well with the home so they had no issues down the road or unexpected large repairs to make. It came with all appliances including a dishwasher that I showed her how to use because she had never seen before and a washer and dryer....

As I handed them their keys, her daughter handed me a small box. I instantly said, "What is this!? You didn't have to get me anything!" The mother, wife and now my friend insisted I open it with a smile on her face. I did. It was a gold ring with a rope design on the top, symbolizing the tight connection between two...

Never in my life.

I was overwhelmed and hugged her immediately. She hugged me back in the most sincere, warm and grateful way I'd ever been hugged. There really were no words to describe or verbal thank yous needed.

I left them to get to know their new home. A home in which they would stay in more than likely the rest of their lives. A home to raise their children and make memories.

My job that day and for those two months was not a job at all. It was a mission.

We did it. We made it happen. That's the reason, drive, enthusiasm and passion behind what I do each day...