The Values Behind Success Stories in Real Estate

Reviews and testimonials are two of the most common and effective forms of social proof. Consumers trust other consumers, it is the reason 92% of them now read online reviews and why success stories have become an essential part of real estate.

Testimonials

Testimonials are unique opportunities to add other voices to the story of your brand. A few carefully chosen testimonials act as a chorus supporting your expressed priorities and values. 

We recently asked agents with exceptional testimonials to share the stories behind them. With this project, we are seeking to highlight the importance of a strong customer focus and productive engagement.

We have been overwhelmed with the response. 

Deanna Barley | REALTOR®️, ABR®️, PSA, MRP

Deanna Barley | REALTOR®️,ABR®️, PSA, MRP
Keller Williams Realty- Everett
1000 SE Everett Mall Way, #201
Everett, WA  98208
Direct: 253.468.5062
www.deannabarley.kw.com | Instagram

Deanna Barley is a real estate agent with Keller Williams-PNW. She is a top producing agent who goes above and beyond for her clients. She is a certified Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR®️), Military Relocation Professional (MRP), and a Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA).

She is also a member of the Association of Realtors®️, Snohomish County Camano Association of Realtors®️, REBAC, and MRP.

Deanna’s Testimonial

5-Stars doesn’t give Deanna enough credit for her work! As first-time home buyers, we were nervous, new to the process and had many questions. From our first meeting to the closing of our first home, Deanna went above and beyond to meet our wants and needs and help us understand every step of the process. She is a great, one of a kind Realtor and a great person who truly cares about her clients! She answered questions we didn’t think about asking, she always gave us her honest opinion, she gave us her best advice, and she gave us the knowledge and confidence we needed to purchase a home. She kept in close contact, was always available to view homes at our convenience, and among many other things, she was always on our side! Deanna truly made our experience so fun and comfortable! We will forever choose Deanna! Deanna made all of this happen for us and she will make it all happen for you! Working with Deanna, is working with a best friend!

~Jessica R

Deanna’s Story

These gals were first time home buyers and found me online based on my reviews and their research of me.

They needed to find a place before school started up and the other having a job transfer that was going to keep her busy so they wanted to get settled in.
We found their home just in the nick of time!
We even got some closing cost covered for them.

Our personalities clicked and we had so much fun looking for houses together that they said they were almost sad they found a house because they wouldn’t be able to go house shopping with me anymore.

I kept them informed and I always believe in being completely honest. My clients are more important then my paycheck and I think they recognized that.

I also try to not make it so business like and stiff because it is a stressful decision for most and it should also be a fun and exciting time as well!”

As I like to tell my clients,
“I’ll handle the stress, you handle the excitement!”

~ Deanna Barley

And here’s another happy customer on a key day!!

Giving Back

Deanna also believes in giving back. 10% of her commission goes towards building homes for orphans through a charity called SEAOF. By choosing Deanna as your trusted real estate advisor you have a part in helping build homes for orphans in Vietnam.

Kathy Luebcke – REALTOR®️

Kathy Luebcke | REALTOR®️
Keller Williams Vaca Valley
312 Cernon St Suite D
Vacaville, CA  95688
707-280-5753 | https://kathyluebcke.kwrealty.com

Kathy Luebcke starts this series off with a story highlighting not only the value of an informed customer relationship but also an inspiring amount of determination.

Kathy’s Testimonial

Kathy showed us many properties in Sonoma and Napa Valley and found us our perfect dream home…

~J. Marion

Kathy’s response to our request for the backstory of this testimony reveals the need to possess both enthusiasm and patience.

Kathy’s Story

“It’s a story that starts in 2007 and becomes a success story in 2012-2014. In 2007 I listed a property that was the highlight of my career for $21.5M. This property was a World Renown Estate and Architectural Masterpiece, designed by Helena Arahuete of Lautner and Associates in LA, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, and featured in many magazines known as “The House Above the Morning Clouds”.

What I did not know is that the seller, my client, was in foreclosure and later the property went back to the bank then in Bankruptcy for the Lender. Five years earlier a well-known chef in Napa Valley had referred a buyer from Texas to me and Five years later that buyer called! The buyers wanted to see a property in Santa Rosa/Sonoma County that was “Contemporary” and it reminded me of a home that you might see in Texas where the buyer is from. Nothing like the property I sold them – which threw me off a bit.

I previewed many properties prior to the buyers arriving over a couple of weeks to ensure I showed them only the very best. I showed the buyers property in Sonoma and Napa Valley for a day and a half. At the end the buyer’s wife said “what we really want is something very contemporary with lots of glass” – I said “what about a property that is made of all glass and steel overlooking Napa – not in Napa Valley?” As they were leaving the husband said he would fly back out the following week to view! I was not thinking about this home as it is located in the county next door in Solano.

Next thing you know, the husband flies back out in his private plane, he fell in love and we put in an offer for a bargain price of $3M. This happened to be a bankruptcy sale at this point and listed by another agent for the Court (another long story) and was subject to overbid. To make it even more exciting another buyer wrote an offer for $3.25M which meant we would have to be available for a phone auction with buyers and buyer’s agents along with the Bankruptcy Attorney conducting the Auction. After a few rounds of prices being offered, I heard the other buyer’s agent’s client say “Let them have it!” It was so exciting and my client was very strategic winning the home at $3.498M. (Appraised in 2007 for $21.5M). Later the buyer purchased 6 vacant land properties from me surrounding the home adding an additional 800 acres approximately to his estate!

Even more interesting, after working on this property for 4 years we bought a home to be closer to my husband’s job. When we sat outside for the first evening to enjoy the view overlooking a local golf course – we were surprised – part of our view is of this Majestic Mountain to the west! I had so much fun handling these land listings as well. All of the lenders who I worked with to short sale the land earlier ended up listing the properties with me personally.

Thirteen years later I still have two of the ten lots for sale on the western range near Green Valley Falls. 321 acres for $1.284M.”

This has been a huge project which I will long remember! For me, this was a very positive experience – tenfold!

~Kathy Luebcke, Broker Licensed since 1985

Jose Daiz – REALTOR®

Jose Diaz of Homes By Jose is known for his innovative use of technology and video in real estate, and cutting edge marketing tactics. On Location he has received local and national recognition for his efforts and success. As a full-time Realtor with Fohl & Hernandez Real Estate in Hayward CA. Jose’s outside the box approach to selling and buying real estate has allowed him to be the #1 sought-after real estate agent in Hayward and the surrounding cities of Fremont, Union City, San Leandro and Oakland.

Jose is incredibly passionate about helping his client find the home of their dreams and adopting the latest tools of the trade necessary for today’s home sellers. His can-do attitude and ability to embrace technology to connect with clients and collaborate with other real estate professionals around the globe.

Jose’s Testimonial

I live out of Town and didn’t know who to call for my mother’s trust sell of her home, but I could not have found a better realtor and person!!! It was a stressful time and he simply said let me earn my commission and take the stress away. CA Chicago

~ Phill W.

Jose’s Story

“Phil, called me after his mother passed away and he inherited the property and wanted to get an idea of value and if he should sell or rent it out. I met him at the property and while there we discovered that 12 years back I did a CMA for Phil’s mother when his dad passed away.

Right away, I could see Phil was anxious and not sure what to do with the home, which needed repairs. He had an appraisal of $650,000 and was thinking of selling it as-is for the appraised value. I suggested he allow me to do an ARV or after repaired value analysis, because being a neighborhood specialist in the community of Fairway Park – El Rancho Verde, where the property was located, I knew the home would sell over $700,000.

One problem was Phil had no monies for repairs. I made him aware that our office would put the monies up for repairs and he could reimburse us at the close of escrow…after discussing it with his attorney and family members he decided to move forward with repairs.

The total repairs were around $20,000 and included painting the interior, refinishing the hardwood floors, remodeling the kitchen and staging the property. We listing it at $700,000 (expecting it to sell for $725,000). Within 1 week we received an offer for $750,000. Which netted the estate approximately $80,000 more then if we sold it for $650,000 as-is, and minus the $20,000 cost to repair. Phil stated that it not only paid the real estate commission but netted the family, some needed funds to take care of the estate’s debt. He was more than thrilled.”

Seven of the most common home selling mistakes and how to avoid them brought to you by Jose Diaz:

Judy Bood – REALTOR®

Judy’s Testimonial

WOW! We figured our unique home would not appeal to everyone and when Judy listed it on a Tuesday for the price we wanted we expected a long wait for any action. Amazingly, she brought us an offer we couldn’t refuse on the following Tuesday.

~ Carolyn Walton

Judy’s Story

Takeaways

There are many positive takeaways from these stories. These REALTORs’ dedication and effective communication with their client is evident. 

But what really shines through is an optimistic and enthusiastic outlook during a challenging sale. Here we see what is less a teachable skill and more an important characteristic. 

You need to love your job. An overall enjoyment of what the real estate market entails will help give you the perseverance to find success when faced with challenging sales.