Several years ago I met John and Jean. I sold their son and daughter-in-law a home after their relocation to the Belleville area. John and Jean wanted to retire within the next couple of years and were looking for a specific type of retirement home. Even though their retirement plans were down the road, they were not adverse to purchasing now if the perfect property became available.

After great discussions, a few weeks later I thought I had located that dream property, although it seemed it might be happening too fast. However the property was perfect for them and John and Jean purchased the home.

I looked after the leasing out of the home to a couple. After a year and a half, the tenant moved on and John and Jean asked me to lease the home again, which I did. However, shortly after the tenants moved in they called me to say they had seen a home for sale and asked if I could show it to them.

Shawn and Jackie were living with their parents, and their large family home was on the market.

Shawn and Jackie had little down payment but good income. They didn’t know where they could find a place large enough for them to rent with their three children. When asked if they might consider buying, they felt there was no possible way.

We encouraged them to speak with a Mortgage Broker and some financing was available, but they required some Seller participation in Mortgaging. We found a property where the Seller was prepared to assist by holding a second mortgage.

Instead of having to settle for a rental property, they were able to enter into home ownership, and needless to say they were very happy.

I explained to them that they had a binding lease for another year, but I showed them the home. Unfortunately they loved it and wanted to put in an offer. This was not what I had wanted, however the offer was prepared and later accepted conditional upon the tenant being able to sublet.

I tried for three weeks to no avail, but at the last minute I contacted the local insurance companies. One agent had just put up a young family in a motel who had lost their home. The costs were high so I offered them an alternative. The burned out family lived in John and Jean's house while they decided on their future. A real win/win all around for three clients.

Referrals... That's how We Grow

Jean was in the military and posted to CFB Trenton from a base in Quebec.

As Jean and Suzanne were more comfortable speaking in French than in English, they linked up with a bilingual agent.

Unfortunately, their financial needs and down payment were modest, and their agent dropped them.

I received a call from them. They were at a payphone in a camp ground and wondered if I could help them in their predicament.

I suggested that they consider a mobile home instead of a house, which they could not afford at the time.

We were able to arrange some financing for them and they ended up purchasing a mobile home near the air base.

They referred subsequent customers to us, and in fact when Jean was posted out, he referred the incoming person to me. That person bought their mobile home.

A few years ago, a prospective purchaser was referred to me by her new employer. New to the area, Bev had recently gone through a divorce. She had two girls and she needed a home close to her employment.

Bev purchased a newer home and for the next two years was quite happy. After meeting Tim she called me to say that they wanted to buy a property together and would I explore having a custom home built to accommodate their new family?

After several weeks of intense planning, a design architect was hired, a lot chosen, and a builder was selected. The home was completed with myself involved in every step of the process.

Move in day arrived and Bev and Tim were ready for their new combined family. Shortly after the move in, I received a call from Bev and Tim inviting me to their informal wedding. The next question was, would I give Bev away? Needless to say, I was as excited as the bride and groom.

"Perhaps one of the best ways to fully appreciate how someone works and their philosophy of service is to hear what the customers say. Here is an endorsement from one of Ross' satisfied clients: "We've known Ross professionally for more than ten years. In that time we have purchased and sold several properties for personal and business purposes always with the help of Ross as our agent."

Ross always researches the comparable property values, market trends, location (with its effects on the property in question) and any other areas that may influence your desire to buy or sell."

The client continues: "Ross tells you up front all there is to know about a property. With Ross you are fully informed prior to the sale or purchase. Unwanted surprises are just about non-existent due to Ross' research".

"Ross' background as a general contractor places him in a unique position. He will help you to solve new construction problems or give an educated opinion on the quality of construction of your purchase and any needed upgrades improvements required."

"Ross goes the extra mile by giving 110 percent and can be very innovative in his approach to make your offer work for you as a purchaser or as a vendor."

"Ross always exceeds our expectations."

"My husband and I were depressed about the prospect of selling our house in a down market, but we had to move for health reasons. One realtor told us that we should list for $189,000 for a quick sale. He hardly looked at any of the nice new features we had added. Ross came in and noticed everything. He suggested we list for $229,000. When we finally sold for $222,000 he brought his young son for the signing ceremony (it was his day for baby sitting). Ross is our realtor for life." - Beate M.

A couple came to me recently straight from the Tim Horton line-up on Highway 401. They wanted to move out of Toronto and had just wasted an entire day in Kingston, which didn't appeal to them. The lady behind them in the Tim Horton line said how wonderful it was to live in the Quinte area, and gave them my name and the precise directions to my office, five minutes away. I showed them two houses, and they bought one. I would really like to know the lady's name in order to thank her.

Would my good Samaritan please come forward? -Ross

Selling your home can be a joy or a pain, but whatever it is, you want the experience to be short. One client told me I was like a terrier with a bone. I would not leave his house alone. I followed up every lead energetically. I worked hard to overcome buyer's objections. I called on all my experience as a homebuilder to solve a really major problem that came up after the sale, but before the closing date. All this while my client admitted he was sitting comfortably in front of his warm fire...

Many of the calls I get these days have nothing to do with buying and selling homes. I seem to be the first person my clients turn to with any type of real estate problem. One was checking out a lot in the country and wanted me to advise him whether it was too steep for building a house. Another has a problem with her neighbour's smoking chimney. A third wanted my opinion about his renovation plan. Clients just seem to trust my judgement…it makes my work very satisfying.

"Ross saved me a lot of time and hassle when I sold my house through him. Before the closing date our well ran dry. One call to Ross solved the problem. A well driller he recommended came immediately and found water. He charged me a fixed price and guaranteed the well for 12 months. Without Ross I would have lost the sale of my property." -M.R.