Client Case Study #1 The Power of Pi. While working at an open house in a famous beach community, I had the pleasure of meeting a very nice Ph.D. mathematician. She was the first to attend the open house that day, and I could tell that she was familiar with the home already. Through our discussion, I learned that she had tried to buy the house previously, but had run into a brick wall working with the seller. She was incredibly bright and, as I soon learned, worked as a mathematician. We had some fun getting to know each other as we discussed her dreams for the home. I next learned that she had her broker’s license. I asked her if she was still interested in the house after her previous frustrating experience. She was, but she had her reservations; I told her I would be happy to see what I could do. The previous failed offer was not successful. No meeting of the minds. It was time to think so far out of the box, that there could be no box. These two people were both willing to walk away.
So for Client Case Study #1 The Power of Pi. I suggested that we go with Pi as our number for the offer. Yes, it was low since the asking was $3.5 Million, our offer was just $3,141,592, about $300k lower than the asking. To help sell the idea, I took a trip to Whole Foods and bought a small blueberry pie. I put the number on a white label on top of the pie. Hey, it was a “sweet deal.” I delivered the pie and the Residential Purchase Agreement with the proof of funds to the problematic listing agent. The seller was not unenthusiastic about the $300K haircut — but he was very interested in the pie, which he told me the next day he enjoyed immensely. Yes, our offer was low, but the uniqueness of the “Pi” gimmick was enough groundwork for negotiation to start. After a bit of creative salesmanship, we worked an enviable deal. Then onto the home inspection!
While working at an open house in a famous beach community, I had the pleasure of meeting a very nice Ph.D. mathematician.