Do Real Estate Agents Give Help With Handy Work? – Corrie Fogle
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Corrie Fogle!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…
Here’s what you missed from Corrie Fogle…
The conversation began with a word association icebreaker on escrow, zoning, and more. Corrie introduces herself as a dedicated real estate professional with a fascinating life outside of her work. She cherishes her 25-year-long marriage and is a proud mother of four children. When she’s not immersed in the world of real estate, Corrie finds solace in the great outdoors, engaging in activities like running and biking. Her family shares a love for nature, frequently spending time up north, relishing the beauty of the outdoors. Additionally, Corrie’s passion for sports extends to tennis and pickleball, which keeps her active and energetic both in her personal and professional life.
Corrie’s focus lies in serving the Metro Detroit area. Her roots trace back to the picturesque town of Romeo, once adorned with apple orchards, but now transformed into a bustling city. With 18 years spent in Royal Oak and subsequent relocation to Bloomfield, she possesses valuable insights into these regions. Moreover, she has explored other parts of the northwest side, notably Plymouth, a place she finds enchantingly beautiful. Each city in this area has its own unique appeal and characteristics, making it an intriguing market to navigate. The homes in these regions generally range from 300k to 800k. Beyond Metro Detroit, Corrie also has personal experience living in Grand Rapids and maintains family connections to the vibrant real estate markets of Holland and Lake Michigan.
Next, Corrie’s background in communications and community relations has proven invaluable in her real estate career. One memorable story involves helping a client during a particularly sensitive situation. The client was attempting to sell a family home involving multiple family members, some of whom were dealing with divorces or living far away. Emotions ran high, and tensions threatened to complicate the process.
In such delicate circumstances, Corrie’s empathy and adept communication skills came to the fore. She became a reliable support system for her clients, remaining composed and steady throughout the journey. Her focus was resolutely set on the end goal and finding solutions that would satisfy everyone involved. By skillfully deescalating emotional conflicts and fostering a sense of unity, Corrie successfully navigated the challenges and achieved a positive outcome for all parties. Her ability to connect with people and communicate effectively played a pivotal role in transforming what could have been a difficult transaction into a rewarding and harmonious experience for everyone.
Following that, Corrie has a rather unusual and memorable story to share from her recent experiences in the field. During a property showing with a potential buyer, they encountered a bizarre situation. As they opened the door, they were greeted by smoke billowing out from the house. It turned out that the homeowner had accidentally left a burner on with food still cooking, a peculiar oversight that can happen. Thankfully, it wasn’t a dangerous situation with flames.
To add to the oddity of the situation, the little boy accompanying the buyer felt the need to check on the man sleeping on the couch inside the house. Surprisingly, they discovered a man on the couch, though he was alive and appeared disoriented. He explained that he was an attorney and had spent the night working at Oakland County Jail, leading to his unexpected presence in the home. This understandably caught the buyer off guard, prompting the woman to quickly retreat through the back door with the little boy in tow as she thought the man was from jail.
Being a skillful listener is a valuable trait in any profession, especially in real estate where understanding clients’ unique needs is essential. Corrie recognizes the significance of attentive listening in her line of work, as it often uncovers hidden requirements or desires that clients themselves may not fully realize at the outset. She recalls instances where clients have provided specific criteria for their ideal home, such as budget and top priorities, with utmost certainty. However, as the process unfolds, especially in a dynamic market, these preferences can evolve and change.
She notes that the home-buying journey often leads clients to discover additional factors that matter to them, such as the importance of location, neighborhood, and schools. Corrie emphasizes that some aspects can’t be fully grasped through research alone; visiting schools and experiencing the feel of a neighborhood firsthand is essential to making informed decisions. As an attentive real estate professional, Corrie tailors her services to accommodate these evolving needs and preferences. By actively listening and adapting to her clients’ changing priorities, she ensures that they explore a range of options and helps them understand that perfection might not be attainable. Ultimately, this approach leads to greater fulfillment and satisfaction, as clients find a home that aligns not just with their initial criteria, but also with their newfound insights and considerations.
Having knowledge and experience in home repair work can be a significant advantage in the real estate industry. Corrie shares an example from her early days in real estate when her local knowledge and extensive experience played a pivotal role in helping a client with a property. The client was a kind-hearted gentleman going through a difficult divorce with four children, and he felt overwhelmed by the whole process. To get the house sold, Corrie recognized that there were some simple yet impactful improvements she could make.
She took the initiative to stage the house and swap out some outdated fixtures. Additionally, she repaired some grout and addressed issues with rotten windows and windowsills, all of which made a big difference without requiring a significant financial investment. However, the most impactful change was renovating the kitchen with a little paint and DIY work to modernize its appearance. The home, once disliked for its outdated kitchen, garnered renewed interest from potential buyers after these changes were made. Corrie believes that such small touches, which demonstrate care and attention to the property, can be a game-changer in the selling process.
As for a rewarding client interaction or relationship, Corrie highlights that there have been many throughout her career. The real estate journey can be a roller coaster ride, and she often forms strong connections with her clients. Celebrating together when the house is bought and closed is a special moment, and Corrie makes a point to follow up with her clients afterward. She takes the time to inquire about how they are doing and how they are enjoying living in their new home and neighborhood, fostering meaningful relationships beyond the transaction.
The conversation wraps up with Corrie reflecting on her experience as a Generation X homeowner. She initially bought her house because of its great location, despite it being outdated. Her recommendation for aspiring homeowners is to keep an open mind when searching for a property. She advises looking beyond the stunning pictures or unflattering photographs to truly explore the potential of a home. By walking through the property with a realtor and envisioning its possibilities, potential buyers can make more informed decisions about the property’s true value and future potential.
Check out Corrie Fogle:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corrievikstromfogle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corriefogleatsothebys/
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