I'm thankful. I enjoy my work, and rarely does my work challenge my values, or vice versa.
It happened this week. I have a new listing in a close-in eastside neighborhood. In the first days, I noticed a homeless camper up the street. This is not news. Portland's neighborhoods have lots of homeless campers these days. Even if we are used to it, homeless campers aren't exactly a selling point for a property. This particular camp was very neat and tidy, self-contained. I was thankful for the considerate campers, and paid it little mind.
A few days later, I arrived to hold an open house for brokers. The camper had moved right in front of the listing. This really wouldn't be a selling point. I have fiduciary duties to my seller, to work in their best interest. But man, was I really going to ask this camper be moved just because we're selling a property?! On the other hand, how in the world would I get this listing sold, with a homeless camper right out front? ugh.
Later that afternoon, a neighbor to my listing called me, as she was upset by the camper. She had contacted the Portland Police, sent me the link to report the camp and contacted other neighbors. I did submit a report of the camp on line, and notified the seller (he wasn't occupying the property). The seller is a good guy. He did report the camp on-line also. He also spent some time talking with the gal who was camping; learned a bit about her situation and her resources. It sounded like she was in a queue for transitional housing and had some support and resources. He gave her a little money for bus fare.
A day or so later, she was gone, as was her stuff. Word has it she did successfully get into transitional housing. While this was not an ideal situation for any of us; homeless gal, seller, neighbor, me, I am thankful for what feels like a decent resolution.
I'm guessing most of you run into situations where your work and your values aren't in sync. Care to share?
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