Its not often that a real estate transaction ends with a card of gratitude. At least not from the other agent that you have co-opted the deal with. Especially a deal that was kinda of hard. In this deal Chris and I represented a “crusty” seller. The buyers agent, was representing a couple that was purchasing their first home. I spent weeks working hard on my sellers home; painting it, edging her yard, staging the home, robbing my basement stash of light fixtures, that sort of stuff. Once we listed the house, the offers rolled in.
But this listing was an emotional battle for me……… I’m glad the house is sold.
So, when a card came in the mail yesterday, two weeks after the deal had closed, it made me smile. A card written by the other agent:
” T — Here is something to help you out because I know you often help your clients out and don’t always charge for the work you do. And when I saw this card I thought it was funny, but could never seem to send it to anyone for fear they would think I was accusing them. But you are SO NOT LIKE this and you really do have the ability to put yourself in someone’s shoes and be compassionate. Keep walking the talk.”
When you don’t hear the words THANK YOU from your client, it hurts. When you hear words of thanks from the agent, the one doing a great job on the other side, you know know you did something right.
Thanks Brenda — Thanks for noticing. You did a great job as well. This gesture made me catalog this transaction differently.

Tracy Dau
Earth Advantage Broker
When you meet Tracy Dau, it doesn’t take long to realize where her true passions lie.
She loves houses and loves matching her clients with the place that’s perfect for them. Ask her clients and they’ll tell you she’s a whirlwind of energy, a juggler of projects, a creative force, a good listener and a tireless advocate. She comes to the job with a vision for what’s possible and the background to make that happen.
Maybe it’s because she grew up in the breathtaking town of Juneau Alaska, where it rains 250 days a year. It’s the kind of place where you either give into gloomy weather or dig deep and find the will to preserve. Maybe it’s because her folks instilled in her the drive to succeed.
For the past sixteen years she has gutted and restored many houses, using any opportunity to work with her hands. Blending her formal training as a fine artist and designer with her experience as a builder, these old-house remodels have become her creative canvas. Her time as a product developer and architectural consultant at
Rejuvenation House Parts introduced her to a community of like-minded folks who encouraged her to become a Realtor.
She is drawn to vintage homes. The artist in her is drawn to their detail, the builder in her to their craftsmanship. Their charm and imperfections make them all the more fascinating and soulful.
That’s what drew her to her first home. Stripped of all her painted-lady features, she sat sadly on a corner lot in SE Portland waiting to be loved and cared for. She had a yard full of shopping carts, a tree that had grown through her facade, motor-oil soaked mattresses and a basement full of the neighbor’s missing car parts, and yet, in spite of this her husband Nate and Tracy bought and fixed her up. This renovation lead to the next house-love-affair, followed by another and another. It only made sense to apply this knowledge and the valuable lessons learned along the way to help others looking to buy or improve their own homes.
Which brings me to why she became a Realtor.
Tracy chose this job because she is passionate about houses and loves the chance to develop relationships with her clients. When you choose to work with Tracy, she will advocate for your best interests, guide you through the home buying process and protect you from the stressful moments as they inevitably arise. She will advise you every step of the way to enable you to make good decisions, stay centered and reach your goals. Even after your transaction has come to an end, Tracy is still available to
answer your questions and help with your home projects.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. Her hobbies include teaching her children, Lander and Olivia, about nature, hunting for sea creatures, spotting birds, drinking bourbon in the winter and gin in the summer, eating chocolate and traveling to warm destinations.
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