We had a terrible thunderstorm here in New Orleans yesterday.  Huge lightning flashes, booming thunder, pouring  rain...sounded like the sky was falling.  It brought to mind my very first listing, when I was a brand spanking sparkly new agent.

I was following the roadmap in our brokerage for all rookie agents, which included sending out announcements to everybody I knew to let them know I was now a Realtor®, capital R.  Lo and behold, I got my first listing from this mailing!  A couple who were friends of my mom's (they did say mail to everyone) had a rental house they wanted to sell and called me to list it.  Holy cow...what do I do now??  Well, list it, of course.  Plow through the best I can with my limited (i.e. non-existent) experience and boundless enthusiasm.

Within a couple of months we had an accepted offer on the house, inspections were great, no termites, everything just peachy keen.  Counting down to my first closing and first commission check.  I was scheduled to meet the appraiser and was running just a little behind when my phone rang.

"Hello, Lisa, this is Mr. Appraiser."

"Hello, Mr. Appraiser, I'm a few blocks away and will be there in a minute or so."

"Well, I just have a question.  Does the tree come with the house?"

WHAT? 

Turns out that during a thunderstorm the night before, a huge tree had uprooted and fallen on the house.  On the house.  A tree.  A big one.

Since it had been a rental property, the house was vacant.  Apparently the neighbors overlooked that big sign in the front yard with my name and phone number on it, since none of them called to tell me there was a tree on the house.  A big one.

Mr. Appraiser says he can't appraise a house with a tree on it.  Wow, how lucky am I to get such an observant Mr. Appraiser.  It was up to me to call my sellers and tell them there was a tree on their houseA big one.  Not the most upbeat conversation I've ever had, that's for sure.

In the end, the house was repaired, Mr. Appraiser came back out without mishap and we closed.  Yeah!  My first commission check...not a big one.  But it was my first one and it's always fun to have a first anything.  As long as it's not a tree on your house.  A big one.

 

9 Comments on Does the tree come with the house?

SEP
01
2007
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Oh my goodness .. a tree on the house. And your first closing had to have that. May the future ones be less eventful Congratulations on getting it to close.
2:06am • #1
373,580 Points 40 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Bob & Carolin, thanks!  It's been awhile since I was new and sparkly ;)
2:14am • #2
What a educating first listing :)
4:47am • #3
I understand the appraiser's concern, but I can't imagine your feelings...
6:08am • #4
338,741 Points 52 Featured Posts Outside Blog
The "firsts" in our lives are surely memorable :-)  This is a story you'll be able to tell for years to come and laugh about. 
6:32am • #5
But think what a great story this will make for future clients and friends!  Best of luck to you!
6:48am • #6
284,851 Points 37 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Great story!  You made a tough experience funny even though I know it must have been difficult!
6:55am • #7

Lisa:

You got it to close.  What an ordeal.

6:57am • #8
373,580 Points 40 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hayden - I learned right away, since we had to push back the closing, not to count my commission checks til they were in my hand

Danielle - I totally panicked!

Kris - I DO laugh about it, everyone time it comes to mind.

Christopher - i think so or i wouldn't have bothered to write about it.  How are the new and sparkly ones at your house?

Diane - you have to find the humor every day or you'll just cry

Bill -  I DID! 

Thanks for your comments everyone.

10:24am • #9

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Lisa Heindel, New Orleans Real Estate Broker

New Orleans, LA

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Crescent City Living LLC

Address: 4480 General deGaulle Dr, Suite 208, New Orleans, LA, 70131

Office Phone: (504) 327-5303

Cell Phone: (504) 616-6262

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