Most of the time, the people I work with have things pretty well figured out.

They’ve bought or sold before.
They understand the basics.
They know what questions to ask—or at least where to look for answers.

I come in to help them buy or sell, smooth the process, manage the details, and keep things moving in the right direction. It’s important work, and I take it seriously—but it’s familiar. Predictable, in a good way.

And then there’s the other kind of client.

The one who’s a little older.
Often on their own.
Usually coming off the back of a difficult life event—loss, illness, divorce, or simply the realization that life is changing whether they’re ready or not.

For them, this isn’t just a move.

The world has changed a lot since the last time they bought or sold a home. The process is more complicated. More digital. More paperwork, more portals, more passwords. What feels routine to some can feel overwhelming and isolating to others.

They don’t always know who to call.
They don’t always know what questions to ask.
And sometimes, they don’t really have anyone helping them make sense of it all.

That’s when the job feels different.

Sometimes it’s as simple as driving them to the lawyer’s office because they don’t drive anymore. Sometimes it’s arranging for a service provider to call them directly instead of sending another email they’ll never see.

And sometimes it’s stopping by after move-out to clear out the fridge.

None of that shows up on a listing agreement.
None of it appears in market statistics.
But all of it matters.

In those moments, I’m reminded that real estate isn’t just about houses. It’s about people navigating change—often quietly, often bravely—and needing someone steady in the middle of it.

I don’t take that lightly.

Because for some clients, I’m not just helping them buy or sell a home. I’m helping them understand what’s happening, what comes next, and reassuring them that they’re not doing it alone.

And that’s when this job feels most important of all.

—Kevin Dol