Alchemy Properties - what an apt name, as my time with Kim was pure magic. We had a hard sale,…read morebecause it was my mom's house of 30 years and the center of our family life. Every good thing happened there. But she passed and her wishes were to sell the house and the proceeds given to her children. I'm in the real estate business and work with a great guy who found Kim for me. He's a broker, like Kim, and as a favor, and unbeknownst to me, searched for someone to help me, as if he were looking for someone himself. So, it was another professional that steered me to Kim.
Doing due diligence, I interviewed 4 of the top agents in the area. I thought I already knew who would represent us because there was someone else, a team, that was tops in our specific area and leaders in our specific market. However, after Kim left the meeting, I practically jumped out of my chair; "She's the one!" Next was the couple I thought would get it, and they were strong. But they wanted to paint, and stage, and this and that, when I had already staged it before I started interviewing. Kim responded to everything special about the house and lush gardens; everything beautiful and already in place. She saw what my mom had created and how that beauty, I hoped, was shinning through. She liked it just how it was, save for a little more clearing of surfaces. (Do what a pro says.)
Most of all, Kim reminded me of my mom; a woman who's beauty was beside the point, it was her intelligence, professionalism, humor and kindness that defined her. I watched her interact with prospective buyers, everyone really, and she related equally well to women as men. She listens. She brought up things I'd told her I forgot I'd even said. She is deeply empathetic. She is quiet and observant and respectful. She's also funny.
She did excellent marketing and we had an open house for just one weekend. I didn't want a lot of strangers going through the house. It was mobbed. We got 6 strong offers, all over asking by the end. That's when the phrase, "Iron fist in a velvet glove" came to mind. Her years of experience and keen negotiation skills came front and center. It was amazing to watch her. She always asked for my input, but I deferred to her every time. I think by the end she was used to me answering, "Whatever YOU think," because she was masterful.
During the initial interview, she interviewed me too. She asked what I wanted. I said a strong deal, solid, but also, important to me; I want someone to inhabit that house that would love it more and more every day they lived their lives there. I wanted someone who appreciated the rare gem that is was.
Magically, that's exactly what I got.
Kim was a healer, helping me get through the whole process, fraught with emotional pitfalls, didn't let me fall apart, and guided us through to the other side, thankful, bittersweet of course, but knowing undoubtedly, that no one could have done better, nor been more perfect.
