Gary White FlexIt Realty~Real Estate & Updates, Grand Rapids & West Michigan

Do I look Like your personal ATM?

Real Estate Agents and Brokers are in the business of real estate, selling homes.  I maintain an office in Grand Rapids Michigan under the name Flexit Realty®.  The name was created from “Flexible Real Estate Solutions” but that isn’t why I look like an ATM.

From time to time we all hear from potential clients the reasons why they can’t buy.  We hear why they will have trouble paying the rent.  We even hear why they are moving.  Most of the time you have to feel for the economic situation that has caused them so much misfortune.

People become desperate and bargain without anything to offer for collateral.  I receive calls nearly everyday from a buyer who knows they cannot buy, before they call me.  

This may seem harsh to you, I run a business for profit.  If I don’t make a profit my office closes, my agents find another real estate broker to work with and that is that.  The problem is, I like being a real estate broker in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  I have lived in Grand Rapids for the better part of 35 years, since 1972, minus the 5 years in Florida and a couple years traveling.

I was asked if I could loan a buyer, I don’t know, the money for the down payment to purchase a home.  They would pay me back right away.  As soon as they saved the money, they had a good job at Wal-Mart Sam's Club, driving a forklift.  I knew I looked like an ATM, my own grown children think so too!  I may have a big soft spot for people in need, I like making an impact on peoples lives, without putting my business or personal life in jeopardy.

I don’t intend to minimize hard work or driving a forklift, I have done that and more.  In my own company, as president, to get shipments out the door on time I drove a forklift, packed and taped boxes right along side my hourly workers.  As I recall they laughed and had fun with me, fixed my mistakes, showing me why I designed and they did the manufacturing.  

Let’s face the facts, I don’t know anything about my clients other than they are great people.  Some of them have become life long friends.  I remember them all, and they have each contributed to my success and my companies success.  Do I want to become a home mortgage lender?  Do I want to cross the line and become more than I am are real estate broker and agent?  NO, I have a business to run and profit keeps that business running.  Do I want to be an ATM no, that isn’t my function as a Grand Rapids real estate broker, a home selling agent or representing buyers as a buyer’s agent in Grand Rapids.

I want the best possible outcome for my clients, I work hard to make sure that happens, just like my agents and other professionals in the real estate industry.  I invest in my business and in my clients homes for sale.  I invest in my agents with tools and knowledge skill sets to help them represent their clients better.

I feel bad for people that have put themselves in a fix, but I cannot fix all their problems.  I feel bad for those that have not learned you must sacrifice for what you want.  You must save for what you want.  We live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave".  We step out and work for our goals.  The great result of that work, most people are able to achieve their goals of home ownership.  It may not be in their time frame but they can do it with 3.5% down for a conventional loan.  My first house was 20% down and my parents didn’t know what an ATM was at the time!