The work she has done for me is beyond compare, and words cannot adequately convey my appreciation. She is the perfect example of why the Phyllis Browning Company has the reputation for excellence it has achieved, and richly deserves. If you will, please indulge me while I try to briefly tell my story.
I am retired, single and had lived in my last house for 23 years. Obviously, I had not sold a house in quite some time. I had never built a house in my life. In October 2010 I contacted Pat telling her I was ready to move – didn’t know where, when or how, but I needed to move. From the very beginning Pat walked me through every step of every process with absolute professionalism, knowledge, poise, and grace. Having located a desirable subdivision, we began the process of buying and building a new house from the ground up. This is madness! I now know why a Real Estate Attorney made the comment, “My first advice to you, and this is at no charge, never build a house”. You had to be there to fully appreciate the difficulties of this particular undertaking. Many of the people I had to deal with were less than – shall we say – “knowledgeable professionals” in their given field. Again, having never done this before, and with no one at home to discuss matters with, I was totally and completely reliant on Pat. She knew every step I needed to take, what I needed to do – and not do – when I needed to do it, and in the most literal sense possible, got me into the home I now enjoy. I can confidently, and quite literally say, this transaction would never have been completed without Pat’s work, help, knowledge and expertise. I had no one to call upon but Pat. She was always there, always had the answers and knew the details, and never hesitated even once. I considered terminating the contract on more than one occasion, but Pat kept assuring me, “It’s going to be okay, you’ll make it”. She was an angel – me, not so much!
Then we began the process of selling my old house. Again, I was totally and completely reliant on Pat. She walked me through everything I needed to take care of to put the house in the very best sellable condition possible. She knew how it needed to be presented and what a sensible asking price would be. She knew exactly what steps I needed to take, and when. I was under contract in 58 days, and closed 25 days later. That alone is pretty remarkable, given the current condition of the economy, and housing market in particular. But there’s more to the story. I had foundation work done on that house on two occasions in years past, and had Lifetime Transferrable Warranties. What neither Pat nor I knew was that the foundation company had changed ownership, and new requirements had been instituted to transfer warranties. We learned of this information 72 hours before closing! I thought I was doomed, but I underestimated Pat. She made phone calls, sent emails, faxed documents, and most importantly, kept me focused to accomplish all that needed to be done. The house closed on schedule.
What makes this accounting so remarkable to me is the totality of Pat’s work. She knew every step and every procedure to get me through both the purchase and construction of one house, and the sale of another. She spent countless hours working with me over the course of fourteen months. She spent enough hours with me on the phone to make today’s teenagers blush! Pat is the consummate real estate professional. She knows her field, has charm and poise in her dealings with everyone from the bottom of the ladder to the top, assures every detail is in place, and never leaves a question unanswered. Pat’s representation of Phyllis Browning Company is everything you could want or ask for – and more. To say she has gone “above and beyond” is an understatement. She is a tremendous asset to your company, and a shining example of what a Real Estate Agent should be. I received a letter from an outside company asking if I would like to nominate a lender, title closer, real estate agent or broker for a Texas Monthly article on the best in the state of Texas. I nominated Pat Howell. I don’t know what the outcome will be – Texas is a big state, and I’m just one person. But I considered it an honor to at least be able to put her name in the hat.
I do not know how to adequately thank Pat for all she has done. I cannot adequately describe to you all that has transpired in my dealings with her these past fourteen months. It is my hope that you will accept this letter as the highest compliment, commendation and recommendation I could give for Pat Howell.
