I would like to say that as I get older, I have truly started to mature. I try to not let things get me all fired up as much as they used to. I try to think before I speak and not let my emotions cloud my voice.
The more we grow our real estate company, more people have started to come out of the wood work. Now, I get it. Rent-To-Own totally has a bad wrap in some cases. There are bad people who take advantage of others in difficult situations. I’ve heard horror story, after horror story, of money taken, houses sold out from under tenants etc.
Well, I’m here to say that our business is nothing like that. If you know me (or my husband) you know our hearts. You know we would help anyone in need and go above and beyond to take care of others. Unfortunately, in this field we really have to state our intentions and prove ourselves, over and over and over again. It’s okay, we totally get it and understand.
Recently we had a “Team Leader” of a local real estate agency write us. She was concerned that one of her member’s clients were truly excited about our program and that we would be taking advantage of them. My husband responded to the message and upon reflection, I can’t help but be disgusted by her tone.
“I sell high end properties. I don’t need to be paid for a client finding their dream home at this level.”
Yes, those are her words exactly. As if anyone below a $500,000 home isn’t worth her time? Money? I’m not sure, but either way that kind of character is appalling. I completely understand reaching out, checking in to see what kind of business we run etc, but to use words like that? I’m sorry but I was raised to treat every human, just that: a human. I don’t care what you do for a living, but when you start acting like you’re better than others, that is where I have a problem.
Interestingly enough, upon a quick Google search, it wasn’t but 5 years prior this same woman was in fact selling homes in the price ranges that we deal with.
So here’s the thing, every person’s dream home is completely different. We tend to buy nice homes in nice areas, but are they $200,00+ homes? No. However, we do our best to ensure that our houses have character, charm, even a cozy factor. A nice backyard, perhaps a garage. A fenced in yard. Good schools. Safe environments. We create visions for families to move from the inner city or apartment buildings, to their very own homes.
While it almost could sound too good to be true, we really are here to help people. Isn’t that what God put us on this earth to do? At the same time, yes, we are a business not a non-for profit but I can assure you that my hands get dirty, and that mine and my husband’s blood, sweat, and tears go into these homes. The stress, the frustration, the money aspect, it’s a lot to juggle! Not to mention we do it all while he works 50+ hours, battling Crohn’s disease, and I am home raising a 3 year old and 5 year old, taking care of two dogs all with zero help from family, only paid help from sitters.
So no, maybe our homes aren’t worth a million dollars, but we are certainly making dreams come true. From the bottom of my heart, I know what we are doing is changing lives. As my mom put it, we are making magic.
I’d love to ask this lady if she can say that she feels the same?
