Thoughts and Prayers Go Out to Japan after 2011 Sendai Earthquake

It is not all about making a sale.

I was working on an offer on behalf of my client’s buyers last Wednesday, March 9^th, and I had to pull the TMK data to get the name of the Seller. I glanced at the address and saw that the Seller was from Japan, more particularly from Sendai.

At that point in time, the name of this city did not ring a bell whatsoever. I got my offer signed by my clients and off to the listing agent with a deadline of responding by Friday, March 11th. Nothing out of the ordinary.

By Friday, the city of Sendai was all over the news – the 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami was the focal point of the world. Suddenly, I recalled reading the name of Sendai on my pending offer and went to double check the paperwork. Names were sadly matching.

Later on that day, I heard back from the listing agent who sent me the following:

Aloha Catherine,

Here is the counter offer from the Seller. The Seller wants to make it work, so let’s get it done. Only problem I have is that I have lost total communication with Seller who lives in Sendai, Japan. As you know, Sendai City was hardest hit by yesterday’s earthquake and tsunami. The Seller sent back the counter offer 30 minutes prior to the earthquake and he has not replied to my email or phone call after the earthquake. Apparently, there is still no electricity in Sendai and I assume the Seller has evacuated. Thus, I may not be able to communicate with Seller for next week or so. I hope the Seller is fine and I hear back from him soon. In the meantime, please let me know Buyer’s response to the counter offer. Thanks for your cooperation.

At this point, nothing matters – it is not about making a sale, it is about the victims. My prayers and thoughts are with the people of Japan and all those injured or displaced by this tragedy, and Sendai City will stay forever in my mind. Who would have known that a basic real estate offer would take me to the epicenter of a worldwide crisis?