An Exceptional Home Buying Experience for Eddie and Ciara by Going The Extra Mile…

A follow-up to a post two months ago…

My apologies as I meant to publish this earlier, but it’s been very busy.  However, I’m STILL excited for Eddie, Ciara and their kids having closed on this beautiful home two months ago!!!  I thought I’d detail this home buying experience should anyone want some insight into some of the things that goes on behind the scenes in servicing our customers.  I like to go the extra mile (and love it) to provide my clients an exceptional home buying experience.  And you can read more about said experience here…

Statistics

Referral Source:                      Friends and neighbors.

First contact:                           July 3^rd, 2022

Executed Contract:                 July 20^th, 2022

Inspection:                              July 22, 2022

Appraisal Date:                       July 26^th, 2022

Closing:                                   August 16^th, 2022

First meeting to closing:         45 calendar days

Contract to Close:                   28 calendar days

Contract to Close Statistics

# of Texts:                               125

# of Calls:                                21

# of Emails:                             71

# of In-person meetings:        1

# of Showings:                         1

# of Facetime Calls:                 2

Their family was looking for very specific features in a home, neighborhood and community and found it all in the gated golf community of Stoneybrook West. They enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle and are sure to find it here in the Winter Garden area. And it’s a good thing Eddie loves golf because this home has its own putting green and sits on the golf course… which is in the process of reopening!

I’d like to thank everyone involved in this quick, smooth and uneventful closing. Communications were clear, responses were expeditious and all details were attended to by:

Judy D. and Kay C. the seller’s representatives.

Stephanie and Lauren at Provincial Title.

The Jeni Pitcher Team at FBC Mortgage.

Mark at Orlando Inspection Partners.

Eddie and Ciara were the perfect buyers and made my job so much easier!

I worked very hard to service them well and treat them how they deserved… though the organizational aspect came naturally to me. You see I have this inherent unique ability, like many of you, called OCD.  It’s my superpower!  Combine this with the innovative tools and resources provided by Coldwell Banker and it’s a formula for an “exceptional customer experience.”

There’s a reason why we have two eyes, two ears and only one mouth.  I try to spend twice as much of my time listening and observing so I can catch all the details and attend to my clients’ wants and needs… and then I react and respond quickly.  Here are some of the value-added things I did for Eddie and Ciara:

• Conducted a detailed interview for their preferences i.e. location, home features, community, pets, kids, pool, place of work location, timeframe, golf cart community, lifestyle, likes and dislikes about previous homes, friends in Florida, travel history of Florida, etc. And I asked for feedback continually honing their home options.
• Hand-picked properties by reviewing photos for properties meeting their preferences rather than set them up on “auto search.”
• Virtual showing of the home flipping every switch, turning every knob and pushing every button i.e. treating the home as if I was purchasing it for myself.
• Sending pictures and videos of the neighborhood as I drove in from the entrance to the home.
• Taking pictures of all major appliances and systems including manufacture date.
• Pulling Orange County permit history, tax records and all relevant data on the home.
• Gave them suggestions for dinner venues and things to do in Orlando during their visit.
• Attended the home inspection… though not required to do so.
• Reviewing the home inspection report for them as they were very busy.
• Eddie asked about how to prune a type of plant in the flowerbed… I found out with help from my neighbors on NextDoor.
• Insure they knew where the water shut-off valve was located for plumbing emergencies.
• The home inspector mentioned they may need a wrench for the water shut-off valve at the street. I found one at my neighbor’s yard sale.
• Checked on the status of the club house and golf course re-opening.
• Arranged for a mobile notary to complete the closing.
• Mailed a Hallmark card to Ciara’s parents’ (as they were out of town on the date of the closing) so as to surprise where her parents gave them the card after signing the paperwork.
• Offered to help fix items like sprinkler heads.
• Obtained mobile application information for RING doorbell, sprinkler system console and home air conditioner thermostat.
• Provided information to turn on all utilities.
• Assumed the role of caretaker for the home holding all the keys and garage door openers until their arrival.
• Introduced myself to the neighbors and asked them to keep an eye on the home until Eddie & Ciara’s arrival.
• Expedited signed settlement statement for their children’s school registration.
• Gave Eddie and Ciara referrals (of people I know and have done work for me) for: pest control, lawn care, locksmith, handyman, lenders, painting, gutters, home warranty, tree trimmer and termite bond.
• Set a reminder for them to apply for Homestead Exemption. You’d be surprised how many homes I show to customers only to find it’s their primary residence and not homesteaded.
• Paid for the lawn to be edged and mowed so it would be one less thing to do upon moving in.
• Met the carpet cleaners for Eddie and Ciara.
• Arranged for any packages to be held by the neighbors until their arrival.
• Paid for lawn care for one week so Eddie could wait a few days to mow the lawn so they could unpack.

Eddie and Ciara experienced a rather problematic journey by train to Orlando and were running behind schedule.  So, I went to the home and waited while the movers moved everything inside the home and left my customary welcome gift (that I leave for all of my clients) along with some treats from Panera bread to greet Eddie and Ciara when they arrived.

I think most things are that much the better when people remember the details.  Sure, it may take a little bit longer but it’s worth it.  And I LOVE taking care of my customers!!!

“Details are the difference between good stuff and great stuff.”

-Stephen Brewster

No detail can be too small… they’re all important when it comes to my customers.

Buying a home can be a stressful time, but I have to say I don’t think it could have been less stressful thanks to this team! Eddie and Ciara were an absolute pleasure to work with and it was a privilege to help them. They’ve grown to be more than just clients… I’m blessed to call these fine people my friends.