While at an open house today, I got the following instant message from my wife:

Ann: While you are there take some better exterior photos. Today is sunny, and the old ones were taken on a cloudy day. 

Smart idea. The last time I was here, I didn't get anything from the rear of the home either, which is a shame because it is so much larger from the back. No one had arrived yet, so I shot downstairs and out the back door to snap a few exterior photos from the large, fully fenced rear yard. 

And locked my shirt-sleeved dumb arse outside of the house in a yard completely surrounded by a 6-foot fence with pointy things on top. Now, mind you, the front door was quite unlocked. I was just trapped on the wrong side of the fence. 

With pointy things on top. 

It is funny how the mind races when something like this occurs. I left my phone inside. My laptop was on the kitchen table. Was it opened to an embarrassing web page? What to do? Hope nobody comes to the open and discovers what a dope I am? Hope someone arrives and opens the back door? 

Wait. Fences have gates. 

Locked gates. 

So after a few minutes of chilly weather with no coat spent weighing my options, I came upon a plan. I needed to scale the fence with the pointy things and climb over it without hurting myself. I am not dressed for that. I am too fat. I am too old. I am too trapped. 

4 bedroom ranch with walkout basement and terrific locks

Climbing the fence was actually easy. Getting my fat posterior to a position where I could jump down to the other side was the hard part. Muscles I haven't used in quite some time (obliques come to mind. Left obliques) were summoned to the effort, and those muscles are not pleased with me right now. And jump I did, right into snow which got into my shoes. Wet feet were a small price to pay for freedom. 

I straightened myself out and walked calmly inside the still-empty home, puffing. My wife and her stupid ideas!

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14 Comments on I Locked Myself Out of My Own Open House

MAR
07
2010
130,749 Points

I am sure you will always remember, greetings from Burbank CA
10:41pm • #1

I'm impressed at your climbing abilities!
10:45pm • #2
107,002 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hahaha.. thats too funny!  I'm glad you were able to scale the fence and land in one piece.  Hey at least you got the photo huh? LOL
10:54pm • #4
1 Featured Post

That had to be downright depressing, however you are nowhere near the first onr to do this, I had clients wanting to write a offer, we pulled up to the office, the person on phone duty left early, and my keys were on my desk, the clients were from about 5 hours away, and my extra keys were at home an hour away, good thing to have a great wife, I took my clients out to dinner, and my great wife brought me the extra keys without missing a beat.

Eric Ristey

wilandandhome.com
11:12pm • #5
MAR
08
2010
565,047 Points 38 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I would have paid to see that my friend (LOL). I'm glad it turned out well for you but must admit I am LMAO over here. I love candid moments. They make life soooooooo interesting. ;-)
4:52am • #6
277,389 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Okay, I have not done that yet, but I have had other adventures.  Real Estate is an adventure, and hey, you walked away with a story to tell!
8:11am • #7
156,166 Points

This WILL BE just another great chapter in the book you will one-day write about your career in real estate!
8:52am • #8
479,633 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You made my monday morning, I love these stories, you can't make this stuff up, it's good to be able to laugh at ourselves and remember to not take ourselves so seriously.
9:04am • #9
606,504 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh boy...Now I haven't done that....but I have locked my keys in the car while out showing property!  

I think of all the things i have ever lost ....I miss my mind the most!   LOL
10:09am • #10
Hit Router

Usually that stuff only happens to me.  I am sure glad to hear unlucky things happen to other people too.  Glad it all worked out  well for you.
1:21pm • #11
MAR
10
2010
685,691 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

When I was locked in the sunroom of a home I was fortunate that my cell was attached and called for help.
10:39am • #12
MAR
11
2010
878,908 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

LOL - getting locked out is no fun, locking yourself out is even less fun, talking about it is funny .... at least for those of us reading about it
9:38am • #13
MAR
13
2010

Awesome real estate post. I’ll definitely recommend it to other. Thanks
houses for sale
4:48am • #14
MAR
19
2010

The only time I got locked out accidentally was during Freshman orientation in college when we all had to stay on campus in the dorms. I had gone to the bathroom down the hall during the wee hours of the morning only to return to a locked dorm door (it locked itself from the inside) and all I had on me were PJ's and a robe. I made it out to the administrative window in the only building with lights on and the person on duty there didn't have access to a spare key to my unit. So I made it down Broadway and I don't remember how but I got myself an egg sandwhich at Tom's Restaurant (now made infamous in Seinfeld - you'll recognize the pink neon all-capitals RESTAURANT of Tom's Restaurant). I think they took pity on me and saw I was famished, but seemed I wasn't the first one to walk in under these circumstances. LOL
6:18pm • #15


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J Philip Faranda, Broker-Owner

Briarcliff Manor, NY

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J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip R.E. LLC) Westchester County NY

Address: 522 North State Road , Suite 100, Briarcliff Manor, NY, 10510

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Phil Faranda is broker and owner of J. Philip Real Estate LLC in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Since founding the firm as a sole practitioner in late 2005, the team has grown to over 30 agents & closed 350+ transactions valued at $140 million. He is in his 4th term as Vice President of the HGMLS. This blog commentary is geared toward consumers and industry colleagues alike. You can reach him at (914) 723-8900.
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