I
have many years left in
real estate, and if I stay in real estate for 30 + years like many of
you have,
then I’m ready to clone one my new buyers that I called me last
Thursday. I will
admit that this is completely for selfish reasons, but come on, I’m
allowed to
be selfish every once in awhile, right?
Why this sudden change in
attitude about cloning?
Have you ever have one of
those dream customers? Well, this guy was that dream
customer and I want more of them. It feels good. It has been easy and I
admit,
I just want one year of 365 clients like this guy (A closing everyday)
Like I
said selfish, but I will have to work hard for 20 more years before the
clones
are ready, so I think that is payment enough for this one great year.
Here is the story from
the beginning, last week, Thursday morning, to be exact,
I got a call from a person interested in buying their first home. They
found me
on where else… WRONG…
www.LivingBeaverton.com (OK, this is my Activerain outside
blog, but it
wasn’t Activerain that was found this time).
So, this very clone-able
client that I was talking to on that morning was
willing to meet me at the office that afternoon and get the process
started. We
sit in my office, discuss his situation, the home buying process, and
that he
should get pre-approved, so he can have an idea of what he can afford.
He
agrees and we make a couple calls to a couple of my preferred
lenders. After the second call, he says, I want that guy to
be the lender,
I really liked him. (Great no more calls on that one.)
So, we discuss what he is
looking for in a home. We set up a search criteria,
with the stipulation that this is only preliminary because we don’t
know what
he qualifies for. He says, “Fine, I’m just more interested in looking
at the
area and what is out there.” After setting up the search we shake hands
and he
heads home for the night, as do I.
The next morning, I get a
call from my preferred
lender saying,
“Good news, he qualifies for X amount.” I call the buyer
and
he says, “Yeah, I know, I just got the call myself.” The best part is
the homes
he is looking at are $80,000 less than he was pre-approved for. I tell
him,
“Now, feel free to check out some of those homes on that list and maybe
we can
start looking next week.”
Fast forward one hour,
yes one hour, and he calls and says, “I found three
homes that I would like to look at.” I say, “Great, maybe
we can check them out
this weekend, what time to do you work?” He says, “Well, I’m off today
at noon,
do you have any time today?” Well, since my afternoon appointment had
just
canceled, I said, “I’ve got nothing going, I guess we can meet at 2pm,
does
that work for you?”
So 2pm arrives and we are
meeting at the first property which he didn’t particularly like,
but it was
nice. Then on to the 2nd and the 3rd
at the third, he
says “This is it, can we write an offer?” Well, at this point I’m,
“ahh, uhh,
yeah sure…. let me go get my computer out of the car.”
We proceed to write the
offer, call the listing agent and arrange a time so I
can personally present the offer to the seller. (Something
that I still like to
do on non short sale properties.) I get the call back from the listing
agent
asking if tonight would be better than tomorrow… Let me think… Yeah!
Now we are at 8pm on Friday night. I’m sitting
with the sellers, presenting my
clients case on why he should have this home for himself,
why they should move
on and why they should agree to our offer price. At 8:15pm they look at
their
agent and say, “We accept the offer as it stands.” They didn’t even
kick me out
of the room to discuss it, just accepted it on the spot.
Saturday morning my
client calls a few of the inspectors
that I said could probably inspect the property within the week.
He calls me
back after calling the first one and we have our inspection scheduled
for Monday
at 9am…That was this morning and I have to say it was a good day!
WOW, I love this buyer
and I’m ready to clone him so I can have my selfish year
in the year 2029. Where is that test tube? I know I laid it around here
somewhere.
Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
©2009 Todd Clark - Ethically I thought cloning was wrong, but I’m ready to change my mind!
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Don't forget to snatch some DNA off of him. Call if you need any help.
I remember having a client like that.....ONCE...lol
wow, now that's a nice story. It's always wonderful when clients come to use willing ready and able. Congrats.
Can I put in my order? Imagine having 365 clients in 2029, plus the referral cloning fees you could earn.
Oh, I want to click my heels three times and believe this could happen to me!
Clone me a few of them and send them down here to SC. I love it when it happens this way. Seldom as it does. Great news for you!
Todd, I thought I was dreaming but then I realized I really am typing this at my computer! Great story.
Just remember this buyer when you are dealing with one that takes up all of your time and after a year of fighting for the client they walk into an open house and buy it from the listing agent without you!!!
Ted
Todd - wow, when you get him cloned will you be licensing the rights? I am not greedy, I only want one of those a week.
It's fun. It's great to work with great people. There are so many good people out there, but the great ones need to be cloned.
Hi Todd, Clients like that are great. Last year I had a lady who wanted the first house she looked at and refused to look at more homes. She had great credit and money in the bank. I got an email from her two days ago thanking me once again for my great service and saying she thinks about me and my husband often and would like to have us over. hmmm... maybe I could clone her!
When you find the test tube with his DNA please send me some. I want to clone him too!!! Thanks for the post!
Todd...
I've considered cloning myself...But frankly...I don't think the world is ready for more than one of ME :)
Or am I just being selfish? :)
P.S. Just in case I didn't...I'm thanking you now for all you did in my absence. I appreciate it. Now, don't go getting sappy on me. I don't want to tear up anymore. I'd like to keep my big girl shoes on :)
TLW...ROAR!
Once you find out how to clone this buyer please let me know!
TC,
The heck with cloning...does he have any brothers or sisters...??? LOL, Thanks, Fran
Congratulations on the dream client!
I am with TLW, in that I would rather clone myself, but I doubt my wife would ever let that happen! LOL
Thanks for sharing!
This deal helps make up for some of the hair-raising transactions you have done recently I'm sure.
Wonderful story! Did you wonder if you were being Punked or featured on Candid Camera? I actually have one now like this now -- knock on wood -- and we close at the end of the month. He's been a dream customer and I plan to ask him if he has friends, siblings, acquaintances or even dogs and cats that he can refer to me for additional smooth transactions.
Hi Todd
Great story, I would vote for cloning.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Todd:
Congrats !!! WTG
Business is so easy - as one pundit said. Just find something that works and DO IT AGAIN!
Recommend you clone the bait, and not the fish!
All you have to do now is CLONE YOUR OUTSIDE BLOG for each market you serve, each niche you specialize in, and HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT!
Todd - Great story and wonderful to share with everyone.
Todd, that's a great story and one that, if we've been doing this for awhile and we're really lucky, we've experienced from time to time. I used to have a partner many years ago who would always say after one of these smooth as silk transactions that we deserve these occasionally to make up for the really difficult ones.
In answer to your rhetorical question, "have you ever had one of those dream customers?" Yes, a number of times, and I consider myself fortunate to now call them my friends.
Todd - Great story, it's always nice to get an easy one once in awhile.
Todd --- wonderful story --- congratulations on your feature. Dream customers are wonderful, aren't they. Dream sales associates are wonderful, too. Thanks for sharing.'
That is so great. I just love it when it works out that way. Yes, send some this way too. ~Rita
Don't you love it ... obviously you do......... why can't more of them be like that.
Todd,
Funny...oh, so very funny...
It's a great feeling, huh?
Todd - Once in a while, the business is easy. But we can't expect that cloneable guy to come along often! Wasn't that one fun?
Mary
Todd's post led me to think about and ask another quesion, who do you present your offers to?
Todd gave me a call and suggested that I post a link to it here. He started to write a response but it became a post in itself that he will be posting soon.
The only thing better would be for him to look at the pictures, the virtual tour, use Google Earth to see what is around him, have you send a contract via email, sign with a digital signature, you email it to the sellers, they sign with a digital signature, two weeks later the closing is being done while everyone is home and connected via Skype Video, all monies including commission are wired, and in my robe I can now get back to reruns of House. A man can dream can't he?
Todd - Congratulations! My last closed transaction was as smooth as it can be - it sure can be a stress reliever.
I had a similar transaction last year, first day Monday, found a house, and closed Friday of the same week. Cash deal! Yeah...I would love to have more of these.
Todd,
I'm impressed! "We proceed to write the offer, call the listing agent and arrange a time so I can personally present the offer to the seller." Very impessed!!!!!!
Bill
Todd this is a great story and blog. Loved your presentation and graphics! Show's lots of personality.
And for the cloned buyers and sellers.........bring em on baby! We have a whole bunch of those type of clients that have been our raving fans for over 20 years. It just keeps getting better.
I know you'll have many more like this........guaranteed!
Thanks!
I got an easy client like that once- got a call on phone duty, met the buyer and his family, showed them 3 houses, and within 2 hours wrote up an offer on a $375,000 house!. You just have to pinch yourself sometimes, and be thankful for these "gifts".
Good for you! Does he have any brothers?
Great Client, I wished all of them where that easy to work with. GREAT STORY !!!
Bettina
Mike, I did like your article and I'm sorry your post caused me to write yet another post, but my comment to you turned in to 500 + words post.
Denise - I charge a fee for that...(LOL)
Liz - That sounds about right...ONCE!
I had one of those last year. She bought the first house we looked at. Cancelled the rest of the showings.
Todd,
How about this idea: you "record" this sequence of events, and then repeat the "copy and paste" action into your life as many times as you desire. lol
Hey Todd,
When you get the cloning serem ready send it to me and I will send you a check. Thanks!
-Lisa
We do appreciate the gift of great clients. Sounds like a great reason to investigate cloning.
Am closing on the 24th of this month with a buyer like that. Not bad!
Hi Todd -- Somethings things just fall into place. If you figure out the DNA on cloning, ship some my way!
Todd - when you combine a buyer who trusts you, who uses vendors you recommend, who is ready and qualified, and who makes a quick decision - I can see why you want to clone him.
Kate - It really was and I can always use more. I do love every one of my clients, but an easy one every once in awhile is nice.
Pete - You will find them I promise, buy you do have to look hard!
Todd - It's not selfish, we deserve a little 'Godsend' once in a while. Maybe he has a twin?
Todd, Then you woke up from your long dream, right??? That is such a picture perfect scenario! I hope the closing goes as well.
Clients like that are rare - but oh so wonderful to have.
Todd,
That's the way the world is supposed to work, but ... ? Every so often we run into customers who know what they want and where and at what price and when and fitting their budget. That's great.
Todd, good story, I have had a few like that lately, and after we have been beat up for the past year it is nice not to have stress.
Thanks!
Todd - Too funny. I wouldn't mind cloning a few of those myself : ) Sometimes we just meet people who make everything so easy. Congratulations.
Judy - Never thought about that, how much do you for cloning fees these days?
Janice - That only gets you home, not your clients. (LOL)
Laura - Sorry, the clones don't like humidity. (ROFL)
Barb - Maybe you can have one too, so stay awake!
Ted - That is why I have that buyer's agency agreement. We have a serious talk upon that first meeting!
Mike - I think I could arrange a weeks worth for you! Thanks for getting me in that heated debate that I didn't think it would go that way.
Larry - You certainly don't come across them very often.
Shirley - You should have her over to your house and find out who her friends are.
Betina - How can I trust you won't use this for evil?
Billie - No, we are not ready for another you! I enjoyed talking to you and Bryant today, and I'm glad we didn't get all sappy. (LOL)
Sometimes it all comes together. Not very often but I have had it happen a twice last year.
It feels good when it works out that way. To have a non foreclosure seller seems rare too.
Wow. Sweet. I want you to clone both the Buyer and Seller. Great story.
Mark - Sorry, can't do that, but I may sell the secret to cloning buyers.
Fran - No, already asked.
Harrison - I know my wife wouldn't allow that. Too much perfection in this world is a bad thing. (ROFL)
Vickie - I'm not sure just one like this covers all those, maybe one more would help. (LOL)
Congratulations on a job well done! I think cloning might be acceptable under these particular circumstances! Wonderfully written yarn! Cheers and I hope you have another terrific week full of these magical clients you attract!
Nancy - You bet I did, I think Jason Sardi has it in for me...
Lou - See cloning isn't so bad. (LOL)
It's great that all the pieces came together like that for you.
Lonn - I'm working on that!
Jessica - I would love to write this post everyday, but it doesn't look like I will be able to do that until 2029. (LOL)
Geri - This is a first for me, I've had some that have come close, but nothing like this!
Maria - It made me sleep well Monday night that is for sure!
Mama Liz - Are you trying to get me to move East? I've never been East of Texas within the United States. I've been to China, but that was over shooting the East Coast by just a little.
Rita - I'll drag them along in a trailer if I'm ever your way.
Michael - Life would be too easy and then everyone would want to be a Realtor. Oh, wait, everyone does.
Sheila - I'm glad you found it funny!
Mary - Especially if I have to wait another 20 years for him.
Mike - I'm glad that turned out to be a great debate, a little heated, but resolved nicely in the end.
Joe - I got a DVR, I can leave the house every once in awhile. (LOL)
Petra - That is exactly how I am feeling about this one... There hasn't been an ounce of stress with it!
Rebecca - This isn't a cash deal, but we are looking good for a 21 day close.
Bill - Thank you!
Anna - I want more than if they are out there. If you are one of these buyers and recognize this in yourself, you can call Todd Clark at 503-524-9494!
Linda - I am getting a bruise I've pinched myself so often on this one.
Bettina - Me too!
Melina - NICE! I bet you have her picture on your wall!
Marzena - ROFL, then I would have to copy and paste my posts as well and I don't do that. (LOL)
Lisa - How much is that check? I'm ready to negotiate.
Norma - And I thought the agent that rode a bike to sell homes seemed weird, but selling on a camel.
Andrea - Oh, we need to hear how you met them!
Chris - I think there is a waiting list on this technology now. (LOL)
Sharon - Exactly!
James - I've already asked and that is a big no!
Kristi - Nope this wasn't a Dallas episode where I woke up to find out it was a dream.
Esko - I think if it worked that way everytime, we would be back to a couple a years ago where everyone was becoming an agent and I don't want that again.
Sandra - I've never had a client like this and I sure hope that I have another one eventually, it was really nice.
Christine - It would be nice if they had an easy button on their forehead so we knew which ones they were though. (LOL)
Scott - TWICE, how unfair. (LOL)
Chuck - I know, but I just put an offer in today again on another home that wasn't a short sale and we are the only offer... They were out of state sellers, so could present myself and get an immediate answer... Oh well.
Margaret - I never thought about cloning the seller also... But, what a good idea. (ROFL)
Amy - I have a feeling I would end up with something like "The Fly" if I tried it though.
Don - All we got left is the closing and that is looking good!