I was preparing one of our listings for a photo shoot in Bigfork, an amazing two-level home staring face-on to the Swan Mountain Range. The client was an extremely articulate, intelligent, and artistic woman that owned incredible art and collectibles that she had displayed throughout the home.
Downstairs, I was turning on lights and fluffing pillows when I looked up and stopped to catch my breath. On an angled accent wall was a beautiful western cowboy painting that was joyful yet disturbing to look at for me. I walked over to the art piece and was in complete disbelief. Where did the artist see this image? How could it be that I have seen this exact image myself several years ago in Livingston Montana? Our client came down the stairs and noticed me staring at the piece.
“Do you like that painting?” she asked.
“Um, yes, very much! Would I be able to take a photo of this? I would like to know more about it and if I could possibly get the artist’s name. I may have to buy a print of this exact painting for Patrick.”
She continued then to tell me about the artist and that she had owned an art gallery. She had represented several of the artist’s pieces there and this was one of her favorites.
“Why are you so fascinated with this painting?” she asked me.
“Well, we recently lost Patrick’s father to illness and this is an exact image of him riding. I swear to you that this is a painting of him. He and Patrick were very close.”
She then told me the name of the artist and I thought to myself at some time that I would look into getting a copy for our home. I snapped a quick picture and got back to work.
That summer Patrick put our client’s property under contract with an extended closing date. It gave our client plenty of time to pack up her beautiful home and belongings and then the search began to find her a new place to own. The original idea was for her to downsize so they began the search for condo’s and smaller homes. The real estate market during this time was insanely crazy. As fast as they could find a property and diligently negotiate the details, several offers were on the table from other interested parties. It seemed that either property details weren’t exactly right for our client, appraisals and or inspections became complex, or quick cash offers came first. Our client viewed home after home throughout the summer and began to get frustrated and stressed as time grew closer and closer to her deadline to relocate. Patrick was determined to make sure this transaction ended with a satisfied client and just three days before her property was scheduled to close, they found her a new sweet place to call home. Everything seemed to fall into place and with quick negotiations and a great understanding between agent and client, the transition from old home to new was smooth and satisfying for all parties involved. Our client could not have been more pleased with the time and persistence that Patrick took to follow through on his promise to take excellent care of her.
Several days after the dust settled, Patrick received a special delivery. Packaged carefully was the beautiful cowboy painting that I had admired in the client’s home along with a heartfelt note:
Dear Patrick,
Well, it has been an interesting journey. Thank you for your expertise, patience, and knowledge. Your wife said this painting reminded her of your Dad. I loved hearing the stories of this special man and I want you to have this painting as a reminder of him!
What a tribute to Patrick’s attitude to building relationships with his clients that go above and beyond just selling them a piece of property. And thank you to this life-long client, this special gift now graces our family’s loving home.