Open Forum

You see it on the Hallmark Channel, and summertime can feel like Christmas in this industry with all the extra hustle and bustle of closings. We're halfway to that magical time of year! 

Every choice we make is fueled by a purpose, a "why."  So why did we all choose this industry?  The following is an example of my "why." 

Our firm received a contract in which the first-time home buyers were in their seventies.  Imagine that! The husband had retired, and the wife was still employed at a big downtown office building as a night security guard. They preferred personal contact to digital, so they came to our office several times during the process to ask questions or to bring us information.  As a result, we got to know them a bit.  It was summertime, and each time they came by, they brought us watermelon -- well established to be the ultimate cooler in the South! 

When the lender sent the closing package, the appraisal was included, as it often is, for us to give to the buyer.  The pictures showed a typical 1970s A Frame ranch.  We've all seen them: huge glass windows in the A, with the fireplace in the middle.  Since I'm a bit of a Christmas fanatic, I immediately thought, "What a great place for a giant Christmas tree!" 

When I delivered the appraisal to the buyers, I shared my observation with them, and we chatted about all the decorating ideas they had. They were as giddy as a teenager with their first car.  Our staff came to enjoy them, and we were all thrilled that their long-awaited dream was coming true.  Their transaction closed, they left our office, and we all relished such a heartwarming story, thinking that was the end of our connection with this sweet couple. 

Flash forward five months, and they rushed into our office one morning unexpectedly.  The wife opened her purse and removed an envelope.  We went into the conference room, and they proudly displayed several photos of their decorated home, including a lovely Christmas tree in front of those windows! 

I teared up then, as I tear up now with the retelling.  We became part of these folks' story, and what is more significant than that?  My personal "why" has always been the people. Your "why" may be something else, but when you identify your professional purpose, you have a perspective shift and an energy boost.   

What is your "why?" 

LIFE LESSON 
Don't underestimate that you're an important part of someone's story.  

 For more information on ongoing training, click here.

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path 

You see it on the Hallmark Channel, and summertime can feel like Christmas in this industry with all the extra hustle and bustle of closings. We're halfway to that magical time of year! 

Every choice we make is fueled by a purpose, a "why."  So why did we all choose this industry?  The following is an example of my "why." 

Our firm received a contract in which the first-time home buyers were in their seventies.  Imagine that! The husband had retired, and the wife was still employed at a big downtown office building as a night security guard. They preferred personal contact to digital, so they came to our office several times during the process to ask questions or to bring us information.  As a result, we got to know them a bit.  It was summertime, and each time they came by, they brought us watermelon -- well established to be the ultimate cooler in the South! 

When the lender sent the closing package, the appraisal was included, as it often is, for us to give to the buyer.  The pictures showed a typical 1970s A Frame ranch.  We've all seen them: huge glass windows in the A, with the fireplace in the middle.  Since I'm a bit of a Christmas fanatic, I immediately thought, "What a great place for a giant Christmas tree!" 

When I delivered the appraisal to the buyers, I shared my observation with them, and we chatted about all the decorating ideas they had. They were as giddy as a teenager with their first car.  Our staff came to enjoy them, and we were all thrilled that their long-awaited dream was coming true.  Their transaction closed, they left our office, and we all relished such a heartwarming story, thinking that was the end of our connection with this sweet couple. 

Flash forward five months, and they rushed into our office one morning unexpectedly.  The wife opened her purse and removed an envelope.  We went into the conference room, and they proudly displayed several photos of their decorated home, including a lovely Christmas tree in front of those windows! 

I teared up then, as I tear up now with the retelling.  We became part of these folks' story, and what is more significant than that?  My personal "why" has always been the people. Your "why" may be something else, but when you identify your professional purpose, you have a perspective shift and an energy boost.   

What is your "why?" 

LIFE LESSON 
Don't underestimate that you're an important part of someone's story.  

 For more information on ongoing training, click here.

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path 

You see it on the Hallmark Channel, and summertime can feel like Christmas in this industry with all the extra hustle and bustle of closings. We're halfway to that magical time of year! 

Every choice we make is fueled by a purpose, a "why."  So why did we all choose this industry?  The following is an example of my "why." 

Our firm received a contract in which the first-time home buyers were in their seventies.  Imagine that! The husband had retired, and the wife was still employed at a big downtown office building as a night security guard. They preferred personal contact to digital, so they came to our office several times during the process to ask questions or to bring us information.  As a result, we got to know them a bit.  It was summertime, and each time they came by, they brought us watermelon -- well established to be the ultimate cooler in the South! 

When the lender sent the closing package, the appraisal was included, as it often is, for us to give to the buyer.  The pictures showed a typical 1970s A Frame ranch.  We've all seen them: huge glass windows in the A, with the fireplace in the middle.  Since I'm a bit of a Christmas fanatic, I immediately thought, "What a great place for a giant Christmas tree!" 

When I delivered the appraisal to the buyers, I shared my observation with them, and we chatted about all the decorating ideas they had. They were as giddy as a teenager with their first car.  Our staff came to enjoy them, and we were all thrilled that their long-awaited dream was coming true.  Their transaction closed, they left our office, and we all relished such a heartwarming story, thinking that was the end of our connection with this sweet couple. 

Flash forward five months, and they rushed into our office one morning unexpectedly.  The wife opened her purse and removed an envelope.  We went into the conference room, and they proudly displayed several photos of their decorated home, including a lovely Christmas tree in front of those windows! 

I teared up then, as I tear up now with the retelling.  We became part of these folks' story, and what is more significant than that?  My personal "why" has always been the people. Your "why" may be something else, but when you identify your professional purpose, you have a perspective shift and an energy boost.   

What is your "why?" 

LIFE LESSON 
Don't underestimate that you're an important part of someone's story.  

 For more information on ongoing training, click here.

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path 

You see it on the Hallmark Channel, and summertime can feel like Christmas in this industry with all the extra hustle and bustle of closings. We're halfway to that magical time of year! 

Every choice we make is fueled by a purpose, a "why."  So why did we all choose this industry?  The following is an example of my "why." 

Our firm received a contract in which the first-time home buyers were in their seventies.  Imagine that! The husband had retired, and the wife was still employed at a big downtown office building as a night security guard. They preferred personal contact to digital, so they came to our office several times during the process to ask questions or to bring us information.  As a result, we got to know them a bit.  It was summertime, and each time they came by, they brought us watermelon -- well established to be the ultimate cooler in the South! 

When the lender sent the closing package, the appraisal was included, as it often is, for us to give to the buyer.  The pictures showed a typical 1970s A Frame ranch.  We've all seen them: huge glass windows in the A, with the fireplace in the middle.  Since I'm a bit of a Christmas fanatic, I immediately thought, "What a great place for a giant Christmas tree!" 

When I delivered the appraisal to the buyers, I shared my observation with them, and we chatted about all the decorating ideas they had. They were as giddy as a teenager with their first car.  Our staff came to enjoy them, and we were all thrilled that their long-awaited dream was coming true.  Their transaction closed, they left our office, and we all relished such a heartwarming story, thinking that was the end of our connection with this sweet couple. 

Flash forward five months, and they rushed into our office one morning unexpectedly.  The wife opened her purse and removed an envelope.  We went into the conference room, and they proudly displayed several photos of their decorated home, including a lovely Christmas tree in front of those windows! 

I teared up then, as I tear up now with the retelling.  We became part of these folks' story, and what is more significant than that?  My personal "why" has always been the people. Your "why" may be something else, but when you identify your professional purpose, you have a perspective shift and an energy boost.   

What is your "why?" 

LIFE LESSON 
Don't underestimate that you're an important part of someone's story.  

 For more information on ongoing training, click here.

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path 

You see it on the Hallmark Channel, and summertime can feel like Christmas in this industry with all the extra hustle and bustle of closings. We're halfway to that magical time of year! 

Every choice we make is fueled by a purpose, a "why."  So why did we all choose this industry?  The following is an example of my "why." 

Our firm received a contract in which the first-time home buyers were in their seventies.  Imagine that! The husband had retired, and the wife was still employed at a big downtown office building as a night security guard. They preferred personal contact to digital, so they came to our office several times during the process to ask questions or to bring us information.  As a result, we got to know them a bit.  It was summertime, and each time they came by, they brought us watermelon -- well established to be the ultimate cooler in the South! 

When the lender sent the closing package, the appraisal was included, as it often is, for us to give to the buyer.  The pictures showed a typical 1970s A Frame ranch.  We've all seen them: huge glass windows in the A, with the fireplace in the middle.  Since I'm a bit of a Christmas fanatic, I immediately thought, "What a great place for a giant Christmas tree!" 

When I delivered the appraisal to the buyers, I shared my observation with them, and we chatted about all the decorating ideas they had. They were as giddy as a teenager with their first car.  Our staff came to enjoy them, and we were all thrilled that their long-awaited dream was coming true.  Their transaction closed, they left our office, and we all relished such a heartwarming story, thinking that was the end of our connection with this sweet couple. 

Flash forward five months, and they rushed into our office one morning unexpectedly.  The wife opened her purse and removed an envelope.  We went into the conference room, and they proudly displayed several photos of their decorated home, including a lovely Christmas tree in front of those windows! 

I teared up then, as I tear up now with the retelling.  We became part of these folks' story, and what is more significant than that?  My personal "why" has always been the people. Your "why" may be something else, but when you identify your professional purpose, you have a perspective shift and an energy boost.   

What is your "why?" 

LIFE LESSON 
Don't underestimate that you're an important part of someone's story.  

 For more information on ongoing training, click here.

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path