I am a Real Estate Broker, at least that's what my license says. A Broker is responsible for everything that happens in their office....the buck stops here. You tried to call me, and I didn't answer!!!! No, I wasn't at the Beach, Shopping, or watching TV, I was working.... No matter how much we try to meet the needs of everyone, sometimes it just doesn't happen. Here is why I didn't answer your call...
I have 2 offices, one in Banning, CA and one in Big River, CA. As the Broker I have certain responsibilities besides contractual ones, so, yesterday morning I decided to drive out to Big River, on the California/Arizona border.
On a good day, no traffic, no accidents, no flash floods, and no windstorms (that truly is a good day) it takes me about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to get there. Yesterday, the heat wave had let up, and it was beautiful in the Desert. I was enjoying the time to think, and plan what I was going to accomplish with the Agents that work in Big River.
I had gone through 29 Palms and was out in that long stretch that takes you to the 62 and 177 interchange. Another hour and a half and I'd be there; or so I thought.
I was going to pass a slow moving truck when I saw something up ahead. Uh oh, better not pass. We started slowing down, slower, and slower until we were completely stopped. Road Construction...... and no cell phone service......
You can see by the picture that they were putting our transportation money to work by repaving this stretch of the desert . You can also see there is absolutely nothing out here, including cell phone towers. About a 1/2 hour later a Pilot Car came to guide us through. But now instead of my 75 miles per hour I have to go 25, 30.....but it's a nice day, so it's OK. I'll just be about 45 minutes later than I planned.....Wrong again!!!!!!
After I finally get to the end of the road there it is, my turnoff, Highway 62 and 177 interchange. But what's wrong with this picture? It's CLOSED!!!!!!! Closed? Oh no, now what??? Apparently a train was spilling Propane across the road.....
"You will have to either turn around or go the other way." Great, just great!! And I am so close.....
So I head to Desert Center, back to the 10 Fwy, towards Blythe, and down to the 95 south. I can now receive calls, at least for maybe 20 minutes. I received 2, and had to pull over!!! The day is just slipping by......
Finally I arrived at our office, in Big River, at 2 o'clock, more than 2 1/2 hours late! Everything I had planned is quickly tossed out the window; we have a crisis. Off goes the cell phone. I go through a certain file to see what issues might arise, in preparation for a meeting I had known nothing about. What happened to my planned day???
One of our transactions seemed to be the never-ending story of "What can go wrong will!" Two different Agents had given up. Their frustration level maxed out and they wanted to quit during the course of the Escrow. As the Broker I attempted to walk everyone through a successful closing. I wanted a closing where both the Seller and the Buyer were happy, or satisfied, and the Agents were satisfied as well. It wasn't easy, because we had no control over other people.
NO CONTROL.... that was my new theme.... I must have reiterated it at least a hundred times that day. However, no control doesn't mean NO RESPONSIBILITY......I am the Broker. It is my job to try to find solutions, and do whatever it takes to make sure everyone has done what they are supposed to, and that the clients have been fairly treated, listened to, validated, treated with respect, etc. etc. etc. As the Broker I am also quality control, counselor, financial adviser, and at times, chief cook and bottle washer. Whatever it takes....that is what I do, if it is within my Control!
Yesterday was a long day, a very long day. But at the end, around 8:30 pm, before making the long drive back home, I felt good. Our clients were validated, somewhat pleased with the results (we're not through yet) and the other people involved had someone to pass the buck to.....Kathy McGraw - Broker!!! I did what I could, what was in our control, and this is really all any of us can do.
As you see, I couldn't answer my phone :) :)
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty
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