My mom was on a ventilator for 9 days and hospitalized for almost 40 days due to COVID-19.

 

Shortly after being extubated, my mom recovered at a rehabilitation hospital. At the time, I managed my parents' bills and other affairs and thought I could handle updating the tenants about my parents’ condition. After the phone call with the tenants, I felt so overwhelmed and scared. Despite explaining to the tenant my mom was recovering at a hospital and my dad was still on a ventilator due to COVID-19, the tenant asserted to take my family to "small claims court" because my parents did not have a chance to do a walkthrough and return their deposit.

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I am blessed my mom is with us today and amazed by her fighting and caring spirit. While my mom should have been solely focused on recovering at the hospital, she comforted and reassured me to not worry about the tenants over the phone. My mom recalled one of her good friends was a realtor. At the time, I did not realize that this person would become someone I consider as family and someone I know I can trust and rely on. 

 

Although you may know him as realtor, Herbert Packer, to me, he is Uncle Herb. 

I remember feeling like a great weight was lifted off my shoulders after my first phone call with Uncle Herb. He emphasized to me to just focus on my parents and volunteered from that point forward he will be handling the tenants and other business related to the rental property. I became so accustomed to being an “adult” to manage my parents' affairs while they were hospitalized so when Uncle Herb took all rental property business off my plate, especially after my interaction with the tenants and my family situation, that meant so much to me.

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Uncle Herb is thorough, efficient, reliable, just, and most importantly, whole-hearted. He had stepped in to help our family in a time of crisis by doing what he does best as a realtor. Uncle Herb went above and beyond what most realtors normally do. He really cared for us and kept in mind our situation through every step of the way of selling our rental house.

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First, Uncle Herb took care of all business regarding the tenants. Uncle Herb conducted a virtual walkthrough with the tenants and finalized an itemized list of damages that my dad never had a chance to do. He solely conducted business with the tenants and did not allow them to contact me or my mom which allowed my mom to focus on recovering and allowed my family to focus on my dad’s condition.

 

After dealing with the tenants, Uncle Herb continued to exceed expectations and took on responsibilities I imagine other realtors would simply just inform the seller to do themselves. He took the time to inspect the house, informed us what needed to be fixed, and sought that our property was in the best condition in order to sell the house at a fair price. Then, he would compile and email a list of different companies he contacted individually including their pros, cons, and price points for their service. Although Uncle Herb conducted most of the business between the different service companies himself, he empowered our family by running everything through us and sending weekly updates to each of our individual emails on the progress of the house.

 

Despite how busy he seemed, Uncle Herb always made himself available to answer our questions, guide us while filling out paperwork, and call us to check-in on our decisions and how we are doing. At 21 years old about to start my last year of my undergraduate studies, I never expected I would play an important role in managing my parents' affairs, especially anything regarding their rental property. Thanks to Uncle Herb, I now have learned a bit about what to look for when selling a home, what escrow is, and what to look for when buying a new home. 

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My parents owned the rental home since I was about 4 years old. I saw over the years how hard my dad tried to maintain the home and treat every tenant with respect despite his lack of expertise or knowledge on owning property. At 21 years old, I never expected my dad would pass away, especially from something like COVID-19. Every time we met Uncle Herb to see the progress and improvements of the rental house, I could imagine my dad repainting the rooms of the house himself. Every time I spoke with Uncle Herb and witnessed how professionally and efficiently he conducted his business while taking care of our rental property, I could only smile and think of how my dad would’ve loved to meet him and work with him. 

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I will forever be grateful to Uncle Herb for not only stepping in to manage our property but taking care of me and our family.  

 

THERESE RECIDORO

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