When Do You Use A Power Of Attorney In A Real Estate Transaction? – Susan Marsh
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Susan Marsh!
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 Susan Marsh…
The conversation began with Susan, outside of her role in real estate, proudly introducing herself as a devoted mother – a role she cherishes above all. Having navigated the challenges of being a single mom for some time, Susan now shares her life with a significant other, a network of close friends, and supportive coworkers. She relishes the simple pleasures of spending time outdoors, such as going for walks, and holds a particular fondness for boating and enjoying the serene beauty of the lake.
In the realm of real estate, Susan’s passion shines brightly. This career serves as her second act, following prior experiences in cosmetology and post-secondary education. Although the path to real estate had always beckoned to her, it wasn’t until she ventured into flipping houses and rentals that she decided to pursue it wholeheartedly. Her journey began in 2014 when she obtained her real estate license, and from the get-go, she embraced the profession with gusto. Her inaugural year in the industry was a resounding success, thanks in part to the invaluable support she received from her colleagues at Keller Williams, where mentorship and training were readily available.
Susan’s proudest achievement was being nominated as Rookie of the Year, a distinction that marked a significant accomplishment in her transition to real estate. Not one to confine herself to a niche, she has embraced a diverse clientele, working wholeheartedly with both buyers and sellers, irrespective of their age or background. However, recent personal experiences have led her to consider a shift towards a new focus in her real estate business.
Over the course of five years, Susan dedicated herself to caring for her aging mother before her passing. During this period, she realized the immense need for guidance and support in navigating the complexities of managing estates and senior care. As a result, her business aspirations now lean towards assisting families with elderly parents while maintaining her commitment to past clients, buyers, and sellers.
Geographically, Susan resides in Fenton and operates her office in Clarkston. Her professional scope primarily covers Oakland, Genesee, and Livingston counties, although her connections and clientele extend throughout the state of Michigan. In her immediate market, homes are enjoying robust demand, but they tend to linger a bit longer on the market. Well-priced and competitively presented properties still attract multiple offers, reflecting a relatively stable market.
Notably, Fenton boasts an abundance of lakes, making lakefront properties highly sought after. The area has also experienced a modernization and development boom, with numerous vibrant restaurants and a charming downtown area replete with a scenic waterfall and pleasant walking spots. In sum, it’s a highly appealing region in which to operate as a real estate professional.
Susan recounts the most untraditional manner in which she acquired a client – at a humble garage sale. In this peculiar setting, as she perused through various items, she struck up conversations with the people hosting the sale. These interactions often unveiled their motivations, such as downsizing or relocating. Remarkably, Susan found herself building connections and generating leads by genuinely engaging with individuals during these garage sale encounters. What initially seemed like a simple visit to explore antique finds frequently culminated in the acquisition of a real estate listing. It’s a testament to the unexpected places where valuable client connections can be made.
Next, Susan’s background in managing multimillion-dollar companies left an indelible mark on her approach to providing outstanding customer service in real estate. Her experiences in post-secondary education, particularly as a school director, equipped her with a unique set of skills. She honed the art of transforming struggling institutions into profitable ventures, expertly navigating the complexities of the education sector. Her interactions with the diverse range of young students, often between the ages of 18 to 25, were instrumental in developing patience and understanding.
Her corporate journey extended to a multi-million dollar beauty school conglomerate comprising 200 schools. In this environment, Susan learned to manage various aspects, including sales, enrollment, budgeting, marketing, financing, and student placement. She also delved into program development and curriculum design. Often, she was entrusted with revitalizing schools facing enrollment challenges, where she delved deep into identifying problems, implementing solutions, and fostering teamwork.
The core lesson from her corporate experiences was that happy people perform better, leading to the success of any endeavor. It revolved around making students happy and ensuring they received top-notch education, which in turn drove referrals and growth. This philosophy extended to teachers, staff, and all departments, creating a harmonious and productive environment.
These people skills and the ability to identify issues, find solutions, and rally individuals behind a shared vision have seamlessly transitioned into her real estate career. Real estate transactions are emotionally charged, significant investments, and Susan’s expertise lies in using her people skills to gain trust, understand her clients’ needs and desires, and ensure a smooth transaction. She aims to create win-win scenarios for both buyers and sellers and leverages her understanding of what’s crucial to the other party to strengthen her offers in the competitive real estate market. Susan’s overarching goal is to provide exceptional service, ensuring that every client finds satisfaction and success in their real estate endeavors.
Susan also highlighted her expansive network of professional contacts, which has proven invaluable in navigating challenging scenarios in real estate transactions. One such instance involved her trusted relationship with the owner of a title company. This connection not only serves as a professional resource but has evolved into a close friendship. In critical moments, the title company owner came to Susan’s rescue, particularly in complex probate cases where Susan found herself unsure of the best course of action. Her friend’s guidance and expertise were instrumental in resolving these matters.
Additionally, Susan emphasized the indispensable role played by her chosen lender. Many times, young and inexperienced buyers can make impulsive financial decisions during the homebuying process, which can jeopardize their loan approval. Susan cited an example of a client who made a significant purchase, a car, while in the midst of the transaction. The lender stepped in to work magic, helping the buyers adjust their financial picture to maintain a healthy debt-to-income ratio, ultimately ensuring the successful purchase of the home. Susan also mentioned her proactive approach to educating clients about the stability of their financial snapshot from pre-approval through to the closing, stressing the importance of maintaining consistency.
Susan then delved into her experience handling setbacks and obstacles in real estate transactions. She acknowledged that financing issues and life changes that impact a sale can be particularly daunting. These challenges often emerge unexpectedly, demanding immediate solutions. Susan’s approach in such situations is to remain composed, refrain from becoming agitated, and focus on identifying available resources and viable strategies. She believes in maintaining a “never say die” attitude, continuously seeking solutions until an insurmountable barrier presents itself.
In essence, Susan’s narrative underscores the significance of her professional network in overcoming difficulties and her unyielding determination to find solutions when faced with unexpected hurdles in real estate transactions. This combination of resourcefulness and resilience has played a pivotal role in her successful career.
Susan’s journey from her Michigan roots to Las Vegas and her subsequent move to Arizona also presents a captivating narrative. Her adventure began when her daughter’s father received a job opportunity in Las Vegas, prompting the family to make a life-altering decision to relocate to the West Coast. This move proved beneficial as Susan spent nearly eight years in Las Vegas, where she embarked on a career in the beauty school industry. During this time, she also seized an opportunity to become a school director.
Subsequently, she ventured to Arizona, where her professional circle expanded, working with admissions agents and rubbing shoulders with individuals involved in real estate. These experiences facilitated a deeper understanding of diverse markets and the cultivation of valuable networks across different regions, creating a resource-rich network that she can now leverage to benefit her real estate clients.
As a seasoned real estate agent, Susan uses her multifaceted background to enrich her approach to client service. Her journey through different regions and industries has provided her with invaluable insights and an expansive network. Having grown up in Michigan, then lived and worked in Las Vegas and Arizona, Susan has acquired a profound understanding of regional nuances and market dynamics. She has fostered relationships with professionals in various fields, which she can readily tap into to provide referrals and support to her clients.
The conversation wraps up with Susan sharing what approach she would take to own a home knowing what she knows now and using today’s resources. Her diverse experiences have given her a unique perspective on the homebuying process. She shares her wealth of knowledge and advice with first-time homebuyers, emphasizing the importance of clarity and intention. Her guidance includes knowing what you want, setting a budget, saving effectively, understanding financing options, building good credit, and establishing early connections with a trusted real estate agent and lender. Susan believes in starting the process from the best possible position, even in today’s evolving market.
Additionally, she addresses the current challenges, such as increasing interest rates and the need to bid over asking prices in competitive markets. Her advice extends to dealing with appraisal concerns and being cautious about entering a scenario where you may be upside-down on equity. Through these insights, Susan empowers new homebuyers to make informed decisions, navigate the market, and embark on their homeownership journey with confidence, all while stressing the importance of building strong connections with experienced professionals in the field.
Check out Susan Marsh:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanKayMarsh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanthehelpfulagent/
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