The Adventures of Hazel and Fred – Part I
Hazel and Fred Douglas Share Their Home Sale Experience
Hazel and Fred Douglas made the decision that when they turned 75 they would move out of their home of 41 1/2 years, where they raised their family, and move into a retirement community. “We considered moving to a condominium or an apartment, but what we really wanted was the interaction of a community,” said Fred.
They both turned 75 last December. And in the previous year they made the decision that they wanted the lifestyle that Wesley Homes has to offer.
We will follow Hazel and Fred through their home sale experience as they make the daily decisions necessary to ensure a good outcome.
So far, so good
Starting with a list of realtors and service providers recommended by Andy Kempler, Marketing Rep. for Wesley Homes, the Douglas’ went through the steps of interviewing realtors to put their house on the market.
Last week they chose a realtor and the house has been on the market for just a few days. They plan to make their move into their cottage at Wesley Homes on the week of March 8th.
And now we join them at step two, interviewing people who will help them make the move.
Communication is Key
They have so far interviewed two move-management companies to determine who they feel most comfortable with to do the packing and moving. “We want a full-service experience where someone will do all the packing, moving and unpacking at our new home.” Said Hazel.
And, although the jury is still out, it appears that there is a favorite, assuming the promises made are delivered. Hazel explained that their decision is being influenced by the fact that one of the people sent out to give a move estimate didn’t understand that they wanted full service – pack, move and unpack; not just a move-only quote.
That lack of communication plus the fact that the company hasn’t returned their phone call reporting the misunderstanding has disqualified them, according to Hazel.
Service Providers Who Go the Extra Mile
On the other hand, the competing company gave an estimate for full service pack and move and offered, for free, to develop a furniture placement diagram based on the floor plan of their cottage
That company representative, going the extra mile, caught the attention of the Douglas’. I could tell they are very excited by the idea.
“She told us she is really good at interior decorating,” said Hazel, and I ordinarily think people who say things like that are just tooting their own horn,” but when she called me and told me she measured one of the bedrooms where we were anticipating moving a bed, and that there wouldn’t be enough room for it – well, then I knew she really did know what she was doing.”
“They called us and told us they had a diagram showing furniture placement ideas ready for us and would mail to us,” said Fred. “Now, I wish we would have told them to email it to us.”
As I left, Fred was checking the mailbox to see if the furniture diagram was there. We left off discussing how Hazel and Fred’s adult children were coming by this weekend to choose what they might want that the Douglas’ are giving away.
Stay tuned for the next installment on Hazel and Fred’s move.
–ilene little for Wesley Homes
