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Trick or Treat for the Realtor / Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too)

Since this is the time of year to tell scary stories, it made me think of some of the odd things that have happened to me or members of my team over the years.  Enjoy.  I feel sure that every one of you has some sort of Trick or Treat for the Realtor story you could share!Basement Warning

The Basement.  I was showing a home to my single, female buyer in Indiana.  We walked downstairs to check out the basement.  She went to the right but I stopped in my tracks.  There was a TV, folding chair and a sandwich in the left corner of the basement.  But this was a VACANT home.  I tried my best to hustle my buyer out of there quickly as she kept giving me a look of "Why?"  When we got outside, I told her what I saw and she almost fainted.  Then I called the proper authorities to let them know there was a squatter in that vacant house. 

The Kitchen.  I was holding an open house.  The sellers were wonderful - they had the home in perfect condition, lights on in appropriate places, soft music and even a plate of freshly-baked cookies on the kitchen counter.  And a cute little sign saying, "Enjoy."  Since I had a few minutes to spare, I decided to sample the cookies.  As I went to take a bite, I looked at the plate and saw something moving.  I looked at the cookie in my hand and saw more of that something moving.  ANTS.  The counter also held the seller's herb garden and there was a marching line of ants heading over to the cookie plate for their dessert.  YUK.  The front doorbell rang - I dumped the contents (and serving plate) right in the trash.  I scooted the herb garden over and ran to show the house. 

Trick or Treat

The Dog.  This particular dog ran the show, intermission and all, for these sellers.  Cupcake China Doll.  "But we call her Sweetums."  Okay.  Sweetums couldn't be confined for showings, the crate was too hard on her psyche.  Sweetums couldn't go outside because her wittle paws would be too wet or cold.  Sweetums free spirit also didn't allow her to spend time in the laundry room or extra room.  So, I said I'd run over for showings and take care of Sweetums.  BIG MISTAKE.  The very first showing I ran over about 10 minutes ahead of time.  I walked into the house and there was Sweetums and she had left about 5 sweet little presents for me all over the house.  This little dog could really produce - if you know what I mean!  I started running around cleaning up, with Sweetums barking and jumping right along with me.  Needless to say, I'd promised the sellers I'd take care of everything and I did - for the entire 41 days it was on the market. 

These are just a few of my favorites.  What are some of yours?  I'd love to hear about your special encounters in the wonderful world of real estate!Pumpkin

Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection sells real estate in Walden on Lake Houston, Eagle Springs, SummerwoodAtascocita, TX, Kingwood Greens, Royal Shores & Kingwood, TX - just to name a few!  Susan's the team leader for Your Texas Connection at Keller Williams Realty NE.  Visit their website for more in depth info about the team and what they can do for you.  Or call Susan direct (281) 415-1454 if you'd like her to start working on your behalf today!

Posted by

             Susan Brown       

Susan Brown, Your Texas Connection, Keller Williams Realty

(281) 415-1454   www.YourTexasConnection.com

 

 

Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Some very good stories, we all have them, some of which might not need to be mentioned like the time my seller was in the shower and couln't hear the phone ring when we called for an appointment.  Instructions were to show if no answer, so I did.  As we were walking down the hall to the bedroom area, out of the shower she came, unaware we were in the house.  Ringing the doorbell and yelling at the front door didn't alert her, so things happen :)

Oct 25, 2009 04:24 AM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Hi Susan we all have had some great experiences over the years! My worst one was when I said to my buyer client, "wait a second while I go down in the basement and get a light on" and in the dark my last step was in water up to my knees!

Oooops! is not the word I used and left!

Ty

Oct 25, 2009 04:25 AM
Tina D Saporito, Your Dedicated Palm Desert, CA Realtor Since 2005
Ronald Christopher & Associates. Proudly serving Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Rancho Mirage, & Palm Springs. - Palm Desert, CA
Call (760)799-8460. www.JustListedinPalmDesert.com

Thanks for sharing some great stories. I had a funny mishap when I was showing the builders homes in a newer development. We were walking the home sites and I opened the door to one of the homes I thought was available but it was already sold and occupied. A little girl was looking at me from the stairways. I politely closed the door and we went on our way but I bet the little girl had a story for her mom.

Oct 25, 2009 04:28 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Ricki - Too funny (maybe not for the seller) but you're right - things happen!

Ty - Oh my gosh!  I wouldn't have used "Oops" either. 

Oct 25, 2009 04:30 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Tina - That was funny and I'm sure that little girl did have something to tell her mom.  Wonder what the mom thought!

Oct 25, 2009 04:31 AM
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

Susan,  Great post.  I bet most agents have some fun stories.  Ty beat me with his basement story, the same thing happened to me.  So here is another.  I had a client who a had a rental and she lived out of town.  She felt that the company who managed it was taking advantage of her.  They spent most of the proceeds from the home on repairs including a new roof and finally told her that the home was just not rent-able and that they would buy it from her at a very low price.  She contacted me and went to look at it and when we got to the bedroom, the roof had completely caved in and there was a sleeping bag where a squatter had been staying.  She offered the property to me for half of what the other company had suggested.  I told her that wouldn't be fair but that I would do my best to market it. It turned out better than I expected because I sold the listing in a month for cash for twice the amount other company had offered. Needless to say, she was thrilled with me.

Oct 25, 2009 05:20 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Gary - When you are handed lemons....Great story.

Oct 25, 2009 05:34 AM
Jody Keating
Jody Keating Connective Realty,LLC, Bryan/College Station,TX - Bryan, TX
Broker/MM/Realtor, Bryan / College Station, TX

Susan,

I love the stories. It makes some of mine seem minor and helps put things in perspective.

Thanks for the boost and the laugh

:)

Oct 25, 2009 01:55 PM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

JG - I love to hear the stories too.  And when I'm in the middle of something odd - I always think, "This'll be a great story later on."

Oct 25, 2009 03:24 PM