We just got back from the best listing appointment that we never signed.

A single mom, who we’ve been talking to for months and who has already interviewed a few agents invited us to come in and finally ‘sell her house’.

From the moment we arrived, we found ourselves reframing all manner of misinformation she’d been given. After reviewing our market analysis, she concluded that the number at which her home should be priced to sell would not only not yield her enough equity to make her next move, but it might even be a short sale. This was not a happy thought for her and mentioned that two and a half years ago, her neighbor down the street…We know how that one ends. A galaxy far far away.

The final side spin on this tale is that not only does she not have enough money, credit, or equity to pay off the mortgage or make a move, but it’s her father’s reverse mortgage so she doesn’t make any payments.

We closed our laptop and put away our listing paperwork. We turned to her and simply told her that selling now was not in her interests, and she was far better off doing nothing. We encouraged her to save her pennies and enjoy her father’s good health, as not only was she enjoying her father, she had essentially free housing, and had a golden opportunity to save money so that one day she would have enough to make her next move. Who knows, when the time came, she might even have equity!

She told us she had been ready to sign the listing with us, and could not believe we were encouraging her to stay put. She told us our advice was the best she had ever gotten and that it made all the sense in the world. She thanked us for taking a huge burden off her and for giving her clarity. We’re pretty sure we made a friend for life.

We weren’t wedded to the outcome and came from a genuine place of service. This might be the best listing appointment we never signed.