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Have You Ever Been Goosed?

By
Industry Observer

Showing properties can alway be an adventure!

I have always loved photographing animals.

Are you a fan of geese? If you are familiar with these white feathered creatures you would know that geese can be rather aggressive. They are actually great watchdogs and true to their family and surroundings. While I do spend time in the more rural areas around where I live, I did not grow up with farm animals or know much about their particular habits. I was familiar with the expression, but not from where it came.

Marlboro NY Geese in the snow

Yesterday I met a client at a piece of land I’ve been trying to sell. A beautiful location and it was cold outside. When there is interest I show  land, even in the middle of January. I parked my car at a long driveway next door, as not to block traffic.  While I was waiting for the buyer to show up I heard some noises. I looked up and saw three geese.. two of them rather large, making all sorts of noises.  Embracing the moment to photograph animals I drove to the top of the drive on the hill and their honking became louder and louder. Watchdogs they are!! I grabbed a few photos and turned around and waited for my client who arrived moments later.

The geese were off in the distance, but kept an eye out for us. At one point while we were standing on the driveway they bolted down to us chattering with a cacophony of loud warnings, encouraging us to flee from their home territory.  They were not too close, but we did take notice.  I guess we should have heeded their warnings and paid a bit more attention to them .. but we were too busy talking about drainage and building permits. 

My words of wisdom are to never take your eyes off the goose. One decided to get up close and personal with my client.. and now I know where the expression comes from.. YES… he was goosed! The look on his face was priceless. He jumped a mile and was quite rattled … but he was young and survived the ordeal.  Thank goodness for that!

The funniest thing was what he said next … “oh now you have quite the Realtor story!!”  I guess maybe he reads my blog??

 

Janis Borgueta is a Realtor in Newburgh NY. Her blog is about living, working and Real Estate in The Hudson Valley. If you would like more information about Real Estate in Newburgh NY and Living in the Hudson Valley, please subscribe to this blog. When you are looking to buy a new home, Search the MLS for New Homes in Newburgh NY. We have homes for sale in Newburgh NY.

 

Comments(71)

Ric Mills
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

LOL :)  That is a good one.  Watch out for peacocks also.

Jan 12, 2013 01:12 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Your headline about getting goosed caught my attention, so good job with your marketing. 

Jan 12, 2013 01:28 AM
Tom Esposito
Alpharetta Home Solutions - Alpharetta, GA

I've heard of developing rapport with clients but this is the best yet!  Wild animals are often unpredictable as your client has found out. 

Jan 12, 2013 01:44 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Janis,

I showed a property once and a rooster was the watchdog of the property and ran around chasing, trying to nip and scaring visitors. Well after approaching me a couple of times, I turned around and chased him a few feet and yelled ahhhhhhhhhhhh. We laughed so hard and never saw the rooster the rest of the time we were there.

Great post and isn't nature funny?

Jan 12, 2013 02:15 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker
At one point in my life I had some geese. They make great pets if they know you but can get aggressive. In my case, they would try to protect ME and would not let others get near me in their presence.
Jan 12, 2013 03:28 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Janis ~ what a fantastic photo you took on this adventure!  When I lived in Ireland across from a lake, we had native geese so I'm familiar with their loud honking.  They are very territorial as you said, and make great "watch dogs" -- glad your client got away OK!!

Jan 12, 2013 03:36 AM
Laura Moore
Coldwell Banker - Granite Bay, CA
Competent ~ Caring ~ Committed
Thanks for the enjoyable story! I worked at a regional park in college. Our ducks & geese learned to stalk kids & steal snacks & sandwiches. Had lots of giggles
Jan 12, 2013 04:22 AM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Hi everyone.. thanks so much for stopping by.. Glad to share my sotry and it seems that a good number of you have had similar events.. My husband was watching a not so funny story on the internet recently of a  hawk that tried to snatch a baby  at a park.. Let's be careful with our wildlife!! Have a great day

Jan 12, 2013 05:17 AM
Brian Rugg
Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX
Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Hello Janis:  There is any number of angles this comment could take, but suffice it say when a client works with you they have a pretty good chance of being goosed!  That should bring in some more business!

Jan 12, 2013 05:40 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Yes, but not by geese...

Jan 12, 2013 07:44 AM
Rafi Footerman
Mid Jersey Inspections - Edison, NJ
Home Inspector, Mold Inspector, Radon and More!

This past summer, a large goose cam toward my father on the beach and didn't back down even when my dad waved his arms and cane.  What makes this more surprising is my father is 6'3 and weighs 240 pounds!  Size doesn't seem to scare them.

Jan 12, 2013 09:40 AM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Thanks again everyone... Seems like i an NOT the only one with a funny story... I am laughing from all the comments.. They continue to be fun and Thanks for sharing!!

Jan 12, 2013 10:55 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team
Hi Janis, no we have not been goosed but rooted by a pig in the house!
Jan 12, 2013 10:47 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Janis wonderful story and the photo is lovely.  If I see geese around I won't turn my back.  Once I was chased by a gander because I went in an area of a park where people would feed them and I did not bring any bread:)

Jan 13, 2013 03:17 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Now that's just cute Janis lol :)!  We truly now know where the term came from :)!  Geese can be quite protective can't they?  Scary when they go after you too lol :)!

Jan 13, 2013 06:43 AM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Bob.. I can't even imagine seeing pig in the house.. but I hear they make great pets.

Jennifer. Thanks... and the moral of the story is that bread is a must when showing rural properties.

thanks Brenda... Yes.. they are big!!

Jan 13, 2013 07:32 AM
Lynda White
Bluegrass Homes & Farms Realty, Agent Know How - Louisville, KY
Admin. Mgr., Keller Williams Realty

That is funny! The lake that we go to in the summer used to have several geese. I loved having them around, but occasionally I'd see someone mistreat them. I'm not sure that a fishing lake is the ultimate place for them anyway since people lose hooks in it a lot. There was one left, and he hung around for a while, so we named him Ben. But one day there were none. To be honest I hope they are not replaced. I just wonder if a coyote got him or someone else.

Jan 14, 2013 12:55 AM
Rob Renk
Center Street Lending - McKinney, TX
AE | Fast Fix/Flip Loans for Residential Investors

Never trust a goose they have a mind of their own as your client found out up close and personal.

Jan 14, 2013 04:40 AM
Jon Quist
REALTY EXECUTIVES ARIZONA TERRITORY - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

Boy, you certainly do have to watch these "fowl" guys. They are often cranky by nature, it seems. Things can turn "foul" at the drop of a hat. And I don't mean AFLAC either.

Jan 14, 2013 08:55 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

The Romans used to use Geese to guard their camps.  But mainly because they are noisy.  

Jan 22, 2013 02:35 AM