Dear Dana,

I don't know if Washington Fine Properties has awards. If so, I have some nominees. If not, here are some candidates for recognition at your next lunch gathering.

First heroine is Sally Marshall. She sold my mother's house at full asking price within about two weeks. However, she demonstrated her professionalism on this deal two years before. I had a hip replacement, and my mother had a stroke on the same day. I was worried what my mother's finances would be, so, still groggy from the operation, I called Sally for advice. She was gracious and very helpful, even, later, when it seemed like my son would be taking over the house, and thus not a traditional sale. When I turned to her this year, she kicked right in with highly personalized professionalism and very wise advice about preparing the property.

If there were a category for hardship-pay commissions, Sally earned it. Before the ideal buyer arrived, Sally's presentation of the house attracted not only the normal level of interest but we had not one, but two over-eager potential buyers. (I'll let the full story come out when she writes her memoirs some day.)

Dana wins best supporting role for his calm, strong, wise role in the over-eager buyer stage.

Marilyn Paige wins in the international category. Not only had she attracted a super-qualified European buyer to help them find a home, but in an incredibly short timeframe, (with the paperwork and the process jumping from Germany to England to the US), she got everything prepared, initiated, and she presented us with the most clean, organized offer imaginable, even taking care of financing and inspection issues in advance! It was extremely impressive and certainly made up my mind.

Sally would correct me if I did not give credit to some supportive players, some of whom are sitting in the room. Thank you to those of you who previewed the house on Carvel Road in Westmoreland Hills, and submitted secret "votes" to Sally on what would be the most appropriate asking price. This process brings great comfort and credibility (and/or reality check) for the sellers. We followed your advice, and you were right.

Finally, congratulations to WFP for by-far-the-best photography and web presentation. Wow! In fact, the pictures were probably a big reason that Marylyn's clients felt comfortable making a perfectly prepared final offer before actually seeing the house in person.

So, sincere thanks and congratulations to the whole WFP team.

Sincerely,

Fredrick Hunt