The more stressed you are, the more you need a great Realtor

For every real estate transaction there's a story. Some stories are happy; weddings, growing family, downsizing freedom and the like. Many are sad; divorce, death, financial pressure and tales of that ilk.

The more emotional the move, the more you need a great Realtor who has your back. Sometimes when you're on cloud 9 you need the voice of reason keeping you on track and not overpaying for a home. When you are in despair you definitely need a trusted professional helping with the overview and managing the details of your transaction.

In my experience the best Realtors display tremendous empathy. They will feel deeply what it is you're feeling and lose sleep over thinking of ways to help you. Literally. That said, the most effective Realtors in the midst of any emotional crisis keep their cool and keep the transaction process at a manageable speed for the client.

The vast majority of people, when upset, cannot process information well. They are already on overload. I've often let grieving clients know that I am happy to repeat information, re-answer questions and simplify as much as possible the stress on their choices. In doing this, I completely respect their intelligence and competence -- I just know that under duress we are not firing on all cylinders.

When dealing with the sale of your biggest asset or the purchase of your biggest asset, look for a realtor who is invested in your welfare and not pressuring you to add to their paycheck. A great realtor will give you the straight goods -- but kindly. They will make sure you and your loved ones are protected and well served in the good times and the bad.

A great Realtor is the voice of heart AND the voice of reason. Just one more example of why they're worth their weight in gold.

Move doesn't have to be a 4 letter word

Back along the way, long before I was a Realtor, I was chatting with the wife of 100 Mile House's Royal Bank manager. The policy for managers at the bank then was to transfer every two years. I remarked to her that it must be a colossal pain moving every two years. "Not at all," was her reply. She went on to say that they simply went to scout out the next town they were going to, found a house and let the bank's moving company know where to take their stuff. They then went on holiday and after their vacation went "home" to the new place.

For those of us "do it yourselfers" that was a radical concept. What, you mean no hair pulling on hold with utility companies, no dragging friends with strong backs and pick up trucks over? No late night cleaning and break of dawn scrubbing of the fridge? No endless days of living in chaos on both ends?

Some might counter, "well, they didn't have to pay for it." True. But if you use a great Realtor you will optimize your sale price and even with commission end up with the most money possible for your home. Aren't you worthy enough to use some of that money (most of which is from your home value increasing all on its own!) to enjoy the moving process?

When people buy a brand new home, they have to budget for window coverings and landscaping usually. When you buy your next home you could budget for movers and a great person to switch over all of your administrative stuff. It is easy to find someone who would love the employment involved with packing up your home and unpacking at the other end.

What if "move" rather than a 4 letter word sending the strongest among us into the street screaming became an exciting and easy experience?

What if rather than thinking you always have to do everything yourself, you actually stimulated the economy a bit by hiring a great team to help you?

This is delicious food for thought and, as always, I speak to myself as much as anyone else!

Be where you're compelled to be and don't let the roadblock of inconvenience paralyze your moving in the direction of your dreams.