Does a Low Income Client Deserve Your Best?

Our team was recently mocked by a local real estate agent for “taking any listing we can get”, even the “low income homes”. When I heard the jab, my first instinct was to lash out in anger. Thankfully, God held my tongue. Once I took a moment to rehash the statement, I came to the conclusion that it was said out of ignorance. While I do not owe an explanation, I would like to share just one of my many “why” stories…

Late one Fall evening, my phone rang. When I answered, I heard the sweetest, grandmotherly voice on the other end. She introduced herself as Ms. Bell, and asked me about a home that was for sale. I did not recognize the address, so I started to small-talk while I searched for the information.

Ms. Bell told me that she did not have access to the internet, and that she was unable to reach anyone to obtain information about the home. As any good Southern woman would do, I asked who her family was, where she was from, and how she ended up in this area. Ms. Bell was thrilled to have someone to chat with, so I learned that she was 84, widowed, did not have any family where she was living, and that she was trying to get closer to her only daughter.

I found the home online — it was listed for $37,000. I will admit, I was a little bummed by the price. However, I couldn’t let Ms. Bell know that. I took a deep breath…