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Mary McKnight asks for our crazy real estate story - How about Crazy Reator?

The one showing that sticks out in my mind was last August.  I think, not sure, but I think while I was showing I had a nervous breakdown.  Oh - not a typo.  I actually broke down into tears in front of my customer.  Ok ok, I am not on Prozac, so let me explain the whole situation.

At the time, I was a manager in my company's second office.  I had just hired three agents and all three started the same day.  I was also running some other training classes that night, for both of the offices.   I was CrAzY busy...

My father in law works in my office as a rental agent.  He happen to become very ill and wound up in the hospital, he was actually so sick that his prognosis was not looking to good.  He had a huge list of customers waiting to view apartments and he is the top guy for a management company so he was getting about 20-30 calls a day from this Management company to show their vacant apartments (there was 11 at the time). 

So me, trying to be helpful and super efficient I thought that I could run my training, have a meeting, take his showings over and still do my work in the office.  This lasted for about two weeks. 

Ok - wait - that was only the set up... I want you to feel my pain that very day.

Anyhow, this particular night I worked in the office all day, had a training meeting and was taking his customers out through out the day.  By 9:00PM I was finally at my last appointment, and I just wanted to get home.  So I am waiting at the apartment for my last customer.  I was there for about an hour showing other customers so the doors were already unlocked, the lights were on and I was just waiting.  I see the customer walking up the walk and "oh, man I am almost done".  I have a rule about how I show vacant apartments.  I never walk up steps before my customers.  I am afraid that they might close the door behind us - and I don't want the door shut in a vacant apartment at night.  Silly safety rule, right?  NO

As she approaches the stoop to the apartment, my phone rings - its my mother in law calling from the hospital.  She starting shooting out bad news about my father in law and my customer is standing right there.  So I motion her to the apartment and we go up stairs.  I am in front of her as we go up the stairs.  SLAM!  The door closes behind us.  "Umm Mom, I will call you back". 

 I go back downstairs to open the door while she is viewing the vacant apartment.  THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN.  My heart drops.  I am turning the knob every which way I could and NOTHING - it feels as if it is locked - not jambed. She comes back down the stairs and starts asking me questions about the apartment as I am standing in front of the locked door.  I just start crying.  I can not stop the tears, I can not look at her, I can't speak.  She asks if everything is ok, with fear in her voice and I just look at her and start spilling my guts, like I am doing here, but in hysteria. 

Once I gain somewhat of composure, I open the tiny  window at the base of the stairs and I figure I have to climb through it.  I will have to squeeze my ARSE through this window and get us out.  OH MY GAWD.  OK, I turn to her and explain to her what I have to do.  So she is helping me climb through the window and I have one leg out and she is pushing me from behind.  As I am half way out of the window, other tenants come walking up and have NO IDEA what I am doing.  I am crying, I am climbing through the window and they have no idea who I am. 

As they open up the front door, with me still semi through this window I can feel bruises forming as I look at my customer as ask her "so, do ya want the apartment?"  She answered with - "that will be a no".

I am not exactly sure where I lost her, do you think it was my hysteria, my having her help me climb through the window or fear that she was dealing with a nut job?

 

 

45 Comments on Hysteria does not work well...

LOL, it's hard to know whether to laugh or cry.  Good thing you have a small arse...

11/16/2006 11:05 PM by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 (The Berkshire Group Realtors)


Christine,  I think this will be in the running for Mary's contest!  How long did it take for the hysteria to subside?  Was your father-in-law o.k.?

11/17/2006 12:13 AM by Carol Williams Wenatchee Real Estate (Willinger Real Estate)


Christine, A crack in the armor:) Great story and what a day that was. Hey happens to the best of us. I guess it could of went either way with the prospective tenant.

11/17/2006 08:21 AM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


bless your heart...bet most of your clients would identify with the kind of day you had-and love you all the more for it!

11/17/2006 09:07 AM by Leigh Brown Charlotte NC Broker/Owner (RE/MAX Signature Properties)


Kristal - LOL, My Arse may be small, but THAT window was probably smaller.   And I made an Arse outta myself that day.

Carol - I actually just sobbed all the way home.  I don't think I laughed about it until I finally told my broker like a week later and he still jokes about it.  Ohh, and my father in law was fine - he was in the hospital for three weeks though.  They still have no idea what he had.

Bryant - umm a Crack in the armor it was - more like a shattered beaten girl who just wanted to go home.  I was hoping that the girl would feel bad for me and rent the darn thing. 

Leigh - most of my clients would have probably ran and never looked back like this tenant did.  I don't know who was more horrified by this me or her! LOL

11/17/2006 11:48 AM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


What can I say? I don't know if the tears in my eyes are out of pity or laughter. What a story!!

These are the memories that really make one appreciate "smooth" transactions and "peaceful" times in our lives.

Thank you for sharing!

11/17/2006 11:50 AM by Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTOR® (Wagner iTeam -Keller Williams Clients' Choice)


Christine,

I feel so guilty laughing.  I can tell you are a girl after my own heart- the kind that no matter what kind of train wreck came before, was still going to ask for the sale! God bless us bawdy city girls!

11/17/2006 12:16 PM by Mary McKnight (1parkplace)


"The Lovely Christine"

Hey NY Chick, if I could stop laughing long enough I will type you a comment!  

Pause Here:

Okay, I have composed myself, speaking of composure...What the hell was wrong with you? :0) Oh I know...

Even the best of us occasionally bite off more than we can chew. Apparently you discovered this concept....

You have some serious word pictures here...I can't stop visualizing you with half your arse hanging out a teeny-tiny window...

Thanks for the laugh babe...

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...You Scared The Renter Dear...ROAR!

11/17/2006 12:41 PM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


I'd have to choose ........ choice # 3!

Damn, I do miss New York.

If you ever want to trade for a few weeks, just let me know!

11/17/2006 02:13 PM by PGA National, BallenIsles, Mirasol - Marc Blasi (Leibowitz Realty / Knightlines Mortgage)


This is what is really great about this business. Full of suprises and makes you think through things. What doesnt kill you will make you stronger.

11/17/2006 03:12 PM by Christine Adler (Adler Realty)


Christine,

I have never had a day like that........wow...... sounds like you had a lot of character refining that day....

:-D

11/17/2006 04:20 PM by Central Florida real estate - Alexander Harb PSEM®, E-Agent® (Beach and Luxury Realty Inc.)


Wow, that is one for the books!  I don't blame you for crying and at all.  Reminds me of the time I slipped and torn ligaments in my leg in front of a client.  Heard a sick popping sound like bone breaking...NOT FUN!!!  He didn't even buy from me after the cast was on...

11/17/2006 04:48 PM by Chris Tesch College Station, Texas Real Estate (RE/MAX Bryan College Station)


Christine, By any chance could you be a TYPE A personality?? LOL!

 

The A is not for Arse, although I do know a few personalities like that. LOL!

Ginger

11/17/2006 06:11 PM by Wilmington NC Real Estate Ginger & Roger Sala Keller Williams (Keller Williams Wilmington North Carolina)


Hang in there.  And folks think this is an easy job. 

 

11/17/2006 07:48 PM by Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate


You are definitely in the running for Mary's crazy RE story --- betcha it didn't seem anywhere near funny at the time...or even a couple of days later.  


How'd did things turn out with your father-in-law?? 

11/17/2006 10:16 PM by joanne Douglas (Terrie O'Connor Realtors)


Christine, the answer would be "all of the above".

Thanks for the laugh before I call it a night. I would have paid to of been there to watch that, and it takes a lot to get money out of me. 

11/18/2006 12:16 AM by George Souto (McCue Mortgage Co.)


There is always a time to call it a day.  Sometimes we try to do too much.  That's when mistakes happen - or worse - or comical situations develop!

11/18/2006 09:44 AM by Tony Marriott, Associate Broker, CRP, CLHMS, CRB, CRS ~~ Phoenix Arizona (Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners)


Hi Guys - umm thanks for all laughing at me.. JUST KIDDING!  Been out of the office for two days now and I missed alot.  I missed my own party. 

Be back on Monday. 

11/18/2006 11:41 AM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


Oh wow ...that was funny and sad at the same time.

How is your father In-Law doing?  

11/18/2006 08:49 PM by Monika McGillicuddy~NH Real Estate Broker (Prudential Verani Realty)


Christine......  wow.... first off, sorry that you had to go through that with your father-in-law. But that is one hell of a story. When did you lose her?  Maybe the  crying as you hang out the window?  lol

11/18/2006 10:06 PM by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)


TLW - LOL I know, I missed my own party.  I hate it when that happens.  My son made his Confirmation on Friday.  I wrote that piece on Thurs Night, I was not around to play this weekend.  :<

Monika - Yes, he is fine.  They had no idea what he had - but he was in the hospital for three weeks. 

Jeff - I am thinking I lost her when I was definitely hanging out of the window.. And maybe it did have something with the tone of my voice and the massive amounts of tears streaming down my face.  LOL

11/19/2006 09:01 PM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


I hope you are going to have the time to man the post you put up this morning...Excellent Post...TLW...ROAR!

11/20/2006 08:47 AM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


Christine, you won the contest hands down.  You made me laugh and yet feel so guilty doing it.  I figure anyone who can inspire two emotions simultaneously in me is deserving of highest honors!

RSS Pieces, blogs for real estate

11/23/2006 11:27 AM by Mary McKnight (1parkplace)


Christine - I had not read this post and I am LMAO!  Well deserved first prize!  Have an awesome Thanksgiving!

ines

11/23/2006 11:53 AM by Rick & Ines - Miami Shores Real Estate (Majestic Properties)


Oh my goodness.. I am wowed. .I don't have a speech ready... LOL

Thank you guys.. I posted this on my blog - I am thrilled..  

Thank you Mary.. Have a Happy Thanksgiving all!!!

11/23/2006 08:47 PM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


Hey NY Chick...It really was the greatest story you know. I agree with Mary. However, I did not feel bad for laughing. You know me my imagination could not get around your butt, the window and what you potential tenant must have been thinking! What can I say...TLW...ROAR!

11/24/2006 06:17 AM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


HEY TLW - How was your T-day?  How is it having BB home all day???  Have a great weekend... Smmmmoooch!

11/24/2006 12:32 PM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


It was excellent...I sent him to his room. :0)...Hope you had a wonderful TDay too...xoxoxo...TLW...ROAR!

11/24/2006 01:54 PM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


Hilarious.  You definitely deserved to win the contest. Since you were able to write about it, I assume you can laugh about it now?

11/24/2006 10:46 PM by John Willis (None)


John - Ohh yes, I can laugh about it now.. LOL - Who would have thought that a complete break down would win a contest for me.. Go figure!

11/25/2006 03:34 PM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


Christine,

Nothing fases me in this business, at least you were ready,willing and able!

03/18/2007 01:28 PM by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)


Christine,

I'm happy your father-in-law is OK.  Thank goodness.  What a day.  Thanks for sharing.

Fran

03/18/2007 11:29 PM by Fran Gatti - Crescent City CA Real Estate (RE/MAX Coastal Redwoods)


Wow chalk that up to one bad day....  I think a spa day is order ... that way you fully can recover.

Desiree

03/19/2007 10:03 PM by Desiree Daniels New Jersey Real Estate (609) 448-2222 (RE/MAX Tri County)


Neal Bloom - nope, nothing fazes me either.  Not anymore ..

Fran Gatti - Thank you.  He is great - stubborn, but great!

Desiree Daniels - High five on the spa day!  Hiiiiighhhhoo!

03/19/2007 10:44 PM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


 Christine,

Hope your father in law was ok and hopefully you did not hurt yourself!

By the way,I am from your neck of the woods, I was an assoc. broker/practiced RE in Roslyn Heights back in 1995-1996,lived in Douglaston and had friends in Whitestone  until I relocated to Florida, was back there last May to visit.

 

03/20/2007 06:16 AM by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)


Yea you need to relax after this. Good Blog

Ben

03/21/2007 08:53 AM by Q Q (Q)


Sometimes I laugh, Sometimes I cry, Sometimes I do both.

And then I usually Laugh.

03/22/2007 06:51 PM by Steven Turetsky, UID#16000002314 (Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants)


Sounds like a pretty routine day...

03/25/2007 07:34 PM by Perrin Cornell, ABR (Windermere RE/NCW)


WOW,, glad you made it through and recovered enough to post this. Hope things are doing much better.

04/11/2007 08:26 AM by Rick McCullough (Alert Home Services)


Well, I haven't actually lost it in front of a customer yet, but I've come pretty close. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

04/12/2007 11:53 AM by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Adams Cameron and Company)


Neal - oh wow, what a small world! 

Benjamin - I finally have relaxed - tough day. 

Steven - If you can find humor in yourself - then you can overcome anything!

 

Rick - things are much better, Thank you!

Lisa - you are so not alone!  LOL

 

04/13/2007 10:08 AM by Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)


I know the feeling! I have had at least one meltdown in public. It was at a building inspector's office. Another one was after I got home after a day from Hell! I'm usually a cool headed troubleshooter. It happens to the best of us.

05/04/2007 08:34 AM by Lizette Fitzpatrick, Lexington KY Real Estate (Central Kentucky - Prudential Don Foster - Richmond KY)


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Real Estate Agent: Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1)
Christine Forgione - Associate Broker
Whitestone, NY
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