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My New Year Real Estate Resolutions - Hear Ye , Hear Ye!

By
Real Estate Agent with Sotheby's International Realty BRE # 01362887

 

 

Ahhhh, yes...2009 was a very long year. Many of us were bruised and battered, and a few even required tourniquets. Some of you discovered Primal Screaming, while others dipped into the occasional Prozac Cocktail. There were smiles in between the hard knocks, and even a few whoops of delight, but overall, the year tested the patience of most every real estate agent I know. 

Thus, I, "L.A.'s Sherlock of Homes," am going public with my 12 resolutions for a better year (one for every month of course.) Maybe if I state them aloud I'll have a better chance of keeping them: 

January:  

I promise not to bitch-slap the 25 year old starlet who is buying a 3 million dollar Malibu pad and wants me to lower my commission so she can buy a, $8k Viosky couch.  Okay, "promise" is a strong word. How ‘bout "resolve"? Forget it, the kid is still getting one upside the head. 

February 

I will never again say, "Hey, I can strip wall paper!" just to convince a buyer that the ugly cow print in the bathroom should not deter her from making an offer. Okay, I lied. I'll probably do it again. I may even promise to re-roof the house if someone will hold the ladder. 

March 

Granted, I'm not off to a good start, but let's try again. Okay, I will not be frustrated and deflated if the market takes another surge into Dante's Inferno. (I know I can keep this resolution - my uncle Vito owns a bar where I can get free booze if I need to medicate.) 

April 

Okay, I'm getting into this now. I resolve to not laugh at my six foot tall,  Barbie doll buyer with the painted on capris when she bends over to test the water temperature in the pool, splits her breeches and falls into the deep end....even when her wig comes off and gets tangled in the automatic pool sweeper. Okay, I can't stop lying. If it happens again, I'll probably laugh until I cry. 

May 

I will not think homicidal thoughts when, on the eighth counter, my buyer refuses to budge if the seller will not throw the bloody Plasma into the deal. I think I can, I think I can I think I can....

Nope, he's dead. 

June

I resolve to cheerfully clean the seller's  house every time we have an open house (even though he has a cleaning person) because my heart is big and I understand the pressures of surfing all day. Really. Honest. Com'on - give a sister a break - I'm trying

Nope. He's dead, too. 

July 

I won't kick my friend into December when she tries to steal my client at a cocktail party. I'll kick her into 2011 in the parking lot. 

August 

I will let my buyer bring her dog on house hunts, even though the crazy canine tore up the leather on my new Lexus. ($1214). However, this time I will tape the dog's paws to its head just before I tazer the owner.) 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Kristin Mason
New Market Title Agency - Independence, OH

LOL, what a great list!  Be careful, you could be the suspect to several murders! lol  August kills me with the dog tearing up your leather seats.........Hope you sold his owner a large home with big commission!

Jan 08, 2010 04:11 AM
Chuck Binzel
HomeTown Mortgage Services - Birmingham, AL

That's too funny...please tell me that April did not really happen!

Jan 08, 2010 04:13 AM
Kathy Opatka
RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD
Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

Gwen,

I had to read this blog outloud to my office partner!  We were a bit gloomy here today, but the tears-of-laughter (as my Revlon slid down my face!) took that away!  You need to do stand-up comedy!!!  You're in the right place to do it!  Absolutely excellent!!!!

Jan 08, 2010 04:20 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Thanks, Kathy. I'm glad you support my Revlon fetish. That's me in the photo of the New Year's swimmers - the one with the moustache. You can see what make-up does for me!.

Jan 08, 2010 04:26 AM
Roy A. Peterson
Domicile Analysis of Texas - El Paso, TX
P.R.E.I.

That was just soooo........ hilarious Gwen, I'm having to clear my tears from my eyes just to response.

Just exceptional, still LMAO.

                                                            ~ Life is Good ~

Jan 08, 2010 04:37 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Gwen always a pleasure reading you and you have the craziest clients for sure!
Jan 08, 2010 04:37 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Some slight exaggerations of a satirist not withstanding, it did happen, Chuck - and it was the highlight of my year!

Jan 08, 2010 04:38 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

The dog incident was painful, Kristin - you should have seen the car! The insurance company asked if the carnage was a result of the efforts of a dog or a bear. Nowadays I only allowy furry friends in my car if they are IV sedated...and that goes for a few of my off-the wall clients. Happy New Year! 

Jan 08, 2010 04:47 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Thank you, Roy - I bet you have a few Texas Tales of your own. But I hope they don't involve a tall blond...

Jan 08, 2010 04:48 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Gary, I like to think that opposites attract...but sometimes I wonder who is the inmate and who is the zookeeper?

Jan 08, 2010 04:49 AM
Michael Wayne Jackson
Coldwell Banker - Novato, CA
Broker - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Novato

I like the January resolution you have. Very funny Gwen, I like your sense of humor.

Jan 08, 2010 04:56 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

OMG you are too funny, Gwen. I WAS laughing til I was crying : )  I think you should write a screenplay... -- Tanya in Montreal

Jan 08, 2010 04:58 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Thank you, Mike. I almost broke that one yesterday!

Jan 08, 2010 05:23 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

I'm glad you liked it , Tanya. I did write a screenplay, and I sure wish you wer my agent!

Jan 08, 2010 05:24 AM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits

Yikes!  You have me cracking up but a few of those are painful!  I'd pay anything to see your Barbie doll buyer incident again! 

Jan 08, 2010 06:58 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

It probably wouldn't be too hard to get a replay, Sheree - I think she drinks a lot.

Jan 08, 2010 08:04 AM
Sherry Siegel, Managing Broker, EcoBroker, ABR
BrokersGroup, serving Sequim and Port Angeles - Sequim, WA

This post is yet again a reminder of why I subscribe to your blog--I love where I live, and am endlessly fascinated by the client stories you share. Next time I'm getting a glass of wine before I start reading. Or not! Probably wouldn't be good for the carpet.

Jan 08, 2010 10:11 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Thanks, Sherry - Pour me a a 120x glass while you're at it - Wine is the only thing that keeps me sober :)

Jan 08, 2010 10:19 AM