When I was on the phone with my lender and real estate radio co-host, Sheri Schmitz today, she was telling me about the breaking news (I don't watch the news unless I'm on it :) about some disgruntled former employee of Game Stop at the Roseville Galleria who was mad at life and set the store on fire. I know there were more details...something about kerosene, a possible bomb, and evacuating the Mall. But like us, your first thought was probably, "What in the heck are people thinking?!"
It used to be a joke to say that someone went postal....and by definition, that means someone is so out of their mind with anger and rage that they failed at controlling it to the extent that they lashed out, taking whatever target, down with them. Long-time Sacramento folks will remember the time ten years ago or so when a trucker was so mad about something that he drove his rig through the doors of the State Capitol.
I will never forget the site of that big old burned up big rig crammed smack though the doors (the guy died, but no one else, fortunately, was hurt). Lest I digress.
Fast forward: I recently had some door hangers hung (that is what you do with them, right) in the Carmichael Area that offered FREE HELP FOR DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS...no biggie, right? A little blurb about who I am, a couple of facts, a link to my websites and even a free short sale book. They even have a smiling picture of me. Pretty harmless, one would think. (you can see the innocuous sample above). I paid someone to hang them in my neighborhood.
However, there was someone who, um, got a little postal over it.
I was shocked when I heard my voice mail today. I will paraphrase, but trust me, I am not exaggerating her anger, even a little.
"How DARE you leave something on my porch!! You have NO RIGHT to come on my property and you'd better never set foot here again or I will take my gun and shoot you.!! You'd better hope I NEVER see your face around either, you b***!!" etc. etc. etc. (five minutes worth!).
Yikes!
The next call was from the sweetest man ever who had gotten the same door hanger and was so impressed with my credentials, that he wanted me to list his Doctor daughter's home in Florida. Not only that, but he said he respected my honesty. I explained, much to his chagrin, that I didn't have a Florida RE license. Even though I have found a good short sale agent in Florida and have referred the listing out (and take note, I am charging NO REFERRAL FEE, Ms. Meanie Caller), I feel confident I have made a new friend in Sacramento. He actually has no idea how much our chat meant to me after hearing someone moments earlier say she would like to shoot me.
So, the bottom line, I guess, is that people get angry. I'm assuming the woman that called was having more then just a bad day. Maybe she's losing her home and felt I was picking on her. Maybe she's getting divorced or lost her job. I do not know. All I know is that my mission and my purpose is to help those that want my help. Never to sell someone something or to take advantage of anyone's sensitive situation. Sometimes with short sales I work for free...really long, hard, tedious bank-calling, butt-kicking hours without ever getting paid. I work as hard for my little condo sellers (which ends up being almost free even if they close) as I do my million dollar listings. I don't bite off more then I can chew, but know this: If I didn't think I was doing all that I could to help someone who needed it when I am able, I wouldn't sleep so well.
So if you see my door hanger, do me a favor. Don't shoot me.
Thanks for reading,
Tamara
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