Caring for People

My wife Amy and I work together at Jlawrence Realty. Anyone who is, or has worked as an agent for a long enough period of time can appreciate how we get so intertwined in the lives of our clients.  Many become friends, and others need us on many levels. Here is a recent example.  Amy received an inquiry from Joe.  He and his wife, in their 80's needed to sell their lifelong home in East Amherst and move to Rochester to be near their daughter. At the same time, his lifelong friend, Anne, had just lost her son and had to move from her home in Williamsville. She needed an apartment that suited her needs at her age, including security, transportation, companionship. 

Amy and I met with all of them.  Anne's issue was compounded because all the senior apartments near Williamsville had at least a 6 month waiting period.  She had to sell now and make a change.  One day Amy and I, returning from a listing in Clarence, just decided to stop in and talk to the manager of a very nice complex off Transit Road.  We explained Anne's need. Almost miraculously, the manager informed us that she just had a surprise vacancy for a one bedroom unit.  Although she had 16 people on the waiting list, they had expressed interest in the 2 unit variety. She said if Anne could come in the next day she might be able to get it.  Well, incredibly, Anne loved it and was able to make arrangements.  Amy and I then listed her home in the Dana Heights area and sold it.  Anne is now in her new apartment starting her new life.

Joe and Dianne needed to find a place in Rochester before selling here in East Amherst.  We referred them to Linda Lehtonen Pratt, who has been one of our agents working for Jlawrence Realty in Rochester with us for over 15 years. Linda found them a wonderful townhome and negotiated a 90 day close.  Joe and Diane contracted on that home and we put their home for sale. They preferred to use the sale proceeds from their home in East Amherst to fund the transaction.  We had to find a buyer quickly and had to find one that would allow Joe and Diane to stay in their home after closing to allow them to use the proceeds for Rochester and move later.

We received multiple offers all at very good prices.  Amy and I prepared a speadsheet detailing the particulars of the offers and sat down at the kitchen table with Joe and Dianne to explain the pros and cons of each offer. We chose an offer that was $40,000 over the asking, but more importantly, had no contingencies that would post a risk. We then negotiated a one month rent free post closing agreement. Joe and Dianne closed and had a month to move into their new home.

On top of this, we helped Joe and Dianne obtain the proper homeowners insurance policy through GRS Agency, Inc., an insurance agency we own. They needed guidance and clarity and learned that they had the wrong coverage for them.  Joe feels we have helped him protect his home and auto properly, and sent a text to us that he feels blessed to have met people who truly care.   

It is about caring and ethics.