Client Success Story

When I sold my house, I was 79 years old. I’d just lost my husband and my health was declining. And I knew that it was time to go ahead with my plans to move into an assisted living facility. I had identified a place in the previous year and I’d promised myself that I would do this in the proper way - that I wouldn’t be “that parent” who resisted moving out of my home and into a facility. This decision immediately brought up two huge problems: how to downsize my furniture and other possessions, and how to sell my home. And I was definitely feeling and acting like an elderly person who was completely daunted by these challenges.

Fortunately, my two children jumped in to help and support me. My daughter Anne lives nearby and she took a 3 week leave of absence to do the boots on the ground work of sorting and organizing my things. My son Walt lives in California and he did a lot of computer research about moving issues and needs. He also insisted that I interview two realtors, an idea which I resisted because I didn’t want to hurt feelings when I had to tell one of the realtors that (s)he wasn’t chosen. But this turned out to be a good idea. Walt researched realtors who specialized in working in surrounding neighborhoods and he gave me two names, whom I dutifully interviewed.

This is when I discovered how different realtors could be, in terms of having different personalities and perspectives. Neither was “better” than the other, and I was not swayed by the gifts Laura gave me (although I appreciated them) - but I just felt more comfortable with Laura Petek of Petek Properties. She was friendly and easy to talk with, and, more importantly, she showed that she knew what she was talking about because she had lots of detailed information and ideas to share about the whole process. I subsequently learned that she has extensive knowledge of resources which might be needed in the process of getting a house ready for sale, and a huge understanding of the legal processes involved. I liked that she was a positive, enthusiastic and pro-active person - and that she spoke positively about my home.

And so our whirlwind project began, with Laura assessing my house and making plans on how to market it. She established a timeline for the plans, and set about making arrangements for various kinds of publicity and for a photographer to take pictures (including fancy aerial ones!) and setting the date for open houses in June, and determining and discussing the asking price for the property. This is when I was appalled to discover the deficiencies of my lovely home: a septic system which needed cleaning, a basement that was the same as when we bought the house but looked like it might have been leaking at some point. But, not to worry - Laura came up with solutions and ways to respond to the issues.

Now Anne began the task of emptying out the house. I had gotten the name of a company which specializes in moving elderly persons and we gratefully paid for their services to supplement Anne’s work in preparing for a smooth transition to my new home. We gave away some items to family and friends who wanted them, and we identified furniture to be picked up by and donated to the thrift store which my church sponsors. Finally, we identified stuff which needed to be junked and hired a company to take it away. I frankly had to use a lot of just plain denial in order not to be too upset about leaving my home and its many furnishings which I had lovingly assembled over the years and were connected to so many family memories. Of course I was sad, but I tried to stay positive - this was not a time for a pity party. Rather, it was actually a time when I was reminded not to underestimate the amount of physical work which is involved in a move. In March, Walt arrived to help with my move to the assisted living facility. He and Anne finished up my packing, and stayed with me for my move-in day so they could supervise the movers, install my TV and computer, help with the unpacking, and attend to a myriad of other arrangements. Thus, at the
end of the day, I actually felt at home in my new home. Now, the house was basically empty, except for the furniture which Laura had instructed us to leave to make the place look homey. And it was time to hire a company to clean my home and make it shine for prospective buyers. Laura, who had done so much behind-the-scenes work, then took center
stage with all aspects of the open houses, and I was so happy when she sold the house to a family thatwas looking to move into my neighborhood.

Then the paperwork began. But the sale of a home nowadays doesn’t require work on paper because it’s all done on the computer. Laura was very organized and patient as she walked me, through the numerous forms which needed to be completed. Doing tasks on a computer can be stressful for me, but I felt better because I trusted that Laura was more than capable in instructing me on what needed to be done. Additionally, my son reviewed the documents just because he likes to double-check things, and to be involved in important aspects of my life.

Since the sale of my house, I have had several occasions when I contacted Laura for help. I felt comfortable about calling her for assistance even though she was no longer technically my realtor - and she always delivered with the information I needed. So that is the story of the sale of my home - one I can look back on as a good story when all is said is done. I had multiple people helping me, but Laura’s guidance and skill was responsible for the happy ending.

-Seller