Letters From My Clients, 1993–2008
In the years before online reviews, my clients wrote letters. These are originals from my files — shared as written, with names and years. For privacy, clients’ home addresses and phone numbers have been removed from the copies shown here.
These seven are the originals I could still find from my files — my clients wrote more than 250 handwritten letters like these before online reviews existed.
— Laurie Ann von Wald
Kathleen Beyer, Helen Ines & Don Ricigliano — 1993
March 23, 1993
Dear Laurie Ann:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, from the three (3) of us for completing the sale of our home at 11401 S.W. 87 Avenue.
We chose you to market our property for several reasons; my past sale through Jeanne Baker, your knowledge of the home and property values in the area, your diverse language skills, and your pleasant personality are just a few.
But, most of all, you have a wonderful way of working with both buyer and seller to assure all parties of a fair deal.
We will certainly seek your help in any future purchase or sale.
Again, thank you so much.
Sincerely,
KATHLEEN BEYER · HELEN INES · DON RICIGLIANO
Barbara — 1998
March 9, 1998
Dear Laurie Ann,
How can I ever thank you enough for all that you did to sell my home in Miami? It was a bad market for sellers. And with three teenagers living there with all their “junk” it was a real challenge to keep showing the place.
But you were so kind and persistent and you brought me a terrific buyer through all your ads and open houses. You made a difficult time a bearable task, and achieved a great outcome. I thank you with all my heart.
If you ever want or need a recommendation from anyone, I’ll be happy to talk with them by phone or communicate by mail. [Address and phone removed for privacy.]
I appreciate the friendship we developed through those days. Hope to see you soon!
Barbara
Sellers of Their Home of 37 Years — 1999
Dear Mr. Hawkins:
In these times of complaints about poor service & loss of work ethics, we would like to take this opportunity to praise Arvida and especially our realtor, Laurie Ann Von Wald. During the recent sale of our home, Ms. Von Wald was attentive, helpful and always professional. She always returned her pages promptly and when sales proceedings hit a snag she went the extra mile to straighten things out. Ms. Von Wald always kept us apprised of how things were going and was our ever-shining light in the otherwise painful ordeal of selling our home of 37 years.
As a result of this sale, my typewriter and stationery are packed and we’re making do with what we [have]… We’re sending Ms. Von Wald a copy of this letter, so she’ll know in how high esteem we [hold her]…
(The letter continues past the bottom of the scanned page — the ending and signature were not on the scan.)
Juan Carlos & Josie Alvarez — 1999
June 28, 1999
Dear Laurie Ann:
My husband and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for helping us find our beautiful new home. We truly appreciated your prompt replies to all our house hunting inquiries and your interest in making sure we received all the latest listings as soon as possible. Your flexibility in going out to view homes with us, even several times a week, showed your genuine concern in helping us reach our goal.
We feel the third time was the charm for us, for we just fall in love with our new home more and more as each day passes. We wanted you to know that even though the first two tries missed the mark (and we are ever so glad they did!), your professionalism in carrying out our wishes and explaining to us every step along the way in such detail helped to make this sometimes very stressful and intimidating process such a pleasure.
We feel Arvida Realty is very lucky to have you as one of their Realtor-Associates on staff for you represent quality and professional guidance to our community. Any future home owners placing themselves in your hands are very fortunate indeed, as we feel we were blessed to have had you guiding our way to our new home.
We wish you the best in your future endeavors, and if by chance we need to look for a new home sometime in the future, we will be sure to contact you.
Warm regards,
Juan Carlos and Josie Alvarez
Marge Farrell — 2001
Dear Laurie Ann,
I’m finally getting settled enough with unpacking that I can sit and write some long overdue notes & letters.
First I want to thank you for all your hard work and time in getting my house sold. Also thank you for the lovely candle & holder gift so beautifully wrapped. I packed it up unopened and it was my first gift opened in my new house. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.
Thanks also for your friendship through the years and it’s always so nice to talk to you, you are a great and super person. Hope you get this way on a visit. I don’t think I’ll be back to Miami until after Christmas. But you never know…?! I’m going to Ireland & London the last of Sept. & first of Oct. Also hope to go to Greece in April 2002. How’s that for retirement?!
Keep in touch
Love, Marge
(Printed on the card: “…I want you to know your kindness made all the difference.”)
Margaret B. Myers — 2004
May 28, 2004
Dear Mrs. Infante,
Yesterday I attended the closing of my home of 50 years. Haydee McDermott and Laurie Ann Von Wald there made the whole sale process so easy for me. I expected great emotional trauma — but was spared from that by these compassionate young ladies.
I would recommend Coldwell Banker to anyone for the future sale of their property.
Margaret B. Myers
Patricia A. Vance — 2008
February 26, 2008
Dear Ms. Corey,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation with your company, especially with Laurie Ann Von Wald, in the handling and selling of my home.
I know that had it not been for the experience and know-how of Laurie Ann it would have been a struggle, in this housing market, to have sold my home. Her suggestions were right on target. She understood my concerns and helped me through the rough spots. Her knowledge of the current market trends were remarkable. She explained every step of the sale process through the closing in terms that I could understand.
Laurie Ann also was excellent when showing my home to potential buyers. She knew every aspect of my home and relayed this information to every buyer, answering their questions completely. My home sold within two months.
Laurie Ann also kept in touch with me after the closing in case I had any questions or concerns.
I have been and will continue to recommend your company, especially Laurie Ann to my friends, relatives, and others that will be placing their home on the market.
Again, my thanks to your company.
Sincerely,
Patricia A. Vance
