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HELP!!!! My husband is my client???

Real Estate Agent with Baird & Warner Downers Grove

February 28, 2008 11:21 PM

I thought I had to share this because sometimes I think twice about working with family members. No disrespect here, but in all honesty they are much harder to work with compared to my non-related clients.

I listed a townhouse for my husband. His uncle recently passed and the property was left to him.

Here is a glimpse into how my days are.

My husband: Laura, good morning. So, do we have any hits on the townhouse?

Me: Mark, it's only 5:30 in the morning and NO, not yet.

My husband: Oh, well do we have any showings scheduled for today?

Me: Like I said, it's only 5:30 in the morning.

My husband: Are you going to sit an open house there this weekend?

Me: Which day were you thinking about?

My husband: Well, both. Saturday and Sunday. The weather is supposed to be great!

Me: Well, I already had one scheduled for Sunday for one of my other clients. How about Saturday?

My husband: I am a client, too. I need to sell this place. How about if you sit there on Saturday from 12-4 and I will sit there on Sunday?

Me: Come on...I can sit on Saturday from 12-3. But you sit there on Sunday? What are you talking about?

My husband: Lor, I really need to sell this place. I can sit there on Sunday. You know it's a numbers game. The more people through, the better chance of selling.

Me : Well, how are you going to get people in the open house?

My husband: You can put an ad in the paper and I can use your open house signs. You have six of them.

Me: (trying to bite my tongue) I said I have an open house scheduled for Sunday and I will need my signs. I need 5 of them, so NO, you can not use them. I think after this weekend maybe I can give you a 30 day cancellation agreement, NO WAIT, maybe a 24 hour notice!!!!

As I am writing this I am laughing (on the inside). But this is honestly how my days have been going since I listed the place....28 days now. Please, someone bring a buyer. The townhouse is in Westchester, Illinois.

I would like to hear some other funny stories about working with your family. How did you survive? Hopefully this place will sell SOON!

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Neal Bloom

Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL

Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

I would never work with my wife:)

Feb 28, 2008 11:25 PM

Sonja Babic

Sonja Babic/PRIME Realty NC, LLC - New Bern, NC

New Bern NC, PRIME Realty NC, LLC

LOL You are very nice. I would never work with my husband! Happy selling!

Feb 28, 2008 11:27 PM

Miriam Bernstei

Rochester, NY

Oh my goodness, I wouldn't be able to take it. You ae much stronger than I am. Hopefully he is paying you a full commission for this aggravation.

Feb 28, 2008 11:27 PM

Stanton Homes

Stanton Homes - New Home Builder - Raleigh, NC

Design/Build Custom Home Builder in North Carolina

Thanks for my morning laugh. This sounds exactly like how something would play out with my husband!

Feb 28, 2008 11:29 PM

Bob Jakowinicz

National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI

Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

You are making me nervous, I am getting ready to list my Mom's house. She is all about the results with no fluff in between, this will be interesting.

Feb 28, 2008 11:34 PM

Dorene Shirley

The Mortgage & Property Connection - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley Real Estate

Laura - after 28 years in the business and coming from a large family I would take up too much of your blog in a response. The funniest one is my sister. She has recently gotten involved in a website called fatwallet. She is now the expert on mortgage, real estate and any kind of finance. She will spout out all kinds of junk she reads off the internet. I have pretty thick skin and ignore her after a while, but then she gives my other family members advice while I'm trying to help them. I just purchased a commercial size of heavy duty duct tape. Would it be a felony or a misdemeanor?????

I would post more on family issues with some of my agents, but they are on members of Active Rain...

Feb 28, 2008 11:35 PM

Tony Giglio

KeyRealtyGrp.com - Cincinnati, OH

This is what all clients are really like. It's just that most of your clients don't wake up with you in the morning (thankfully!)

Feb 28, 2008 11:36 PM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Laura, when it happens, please followup with the contract negotiations. Did you hear that? It sounded like a shotgun racking in the background. Have a fabulous "open" house.

Feb 28, 2008 11:52 PM

Steve Loynd

Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH

800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

I have dealt with estate sales, redirect your husband give him a task that will help you both later. Have him get a home inspection so he'll know what issues could come up when you have an offer, maybe he'll have to fix something (to keep him busy). Good luck

Feb 29, 2008 12:08 AM

Brande Bradford

Keller Williams - McDonough, GA

Realtor

Laura ~ Give him the cancellation notice and tell him he owes you $500 for your time and distress....lol Then take the afternoon and go shopping. I work with family and sell some of their stuff, it can be tough.

Feb 29, 2008 12:11 AM

Jeff Kessler

Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Oh That is too funny. I have all but stopped working with really close friends unless they agree to let me do my job without interruptions.

HAhah.

Feb 29, 2008 12:22 AM

Suzanne Sands

Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA

Somerset MA Real Estate

Hi Laura,

My husband would drive me crazy! Yours sounds cute, you know he really needs to sell! Thanks for the smile! :)

Feb 29, 2008 12:22 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Laura, I have to add to my number one rule in real estate. "Never work with friends or relatives. . . . . or spouses." Thanks.

Good Post!

Feb 29, 2008 01:52 AM

Laura Karambelas

Baird & Warner Downers Grove - Downers Grove, IL

Realtor - Downers Grove

Neal-Not much of a choice. I even told him I would help him "by owner", just kidding.

Sonja-I try to be nice, sometimes I am not. Keep reminding him we are in a business relationship.

Miriam-Some days I can not take it, that is why I threaten to cancel his listing agreement.

Penny-Glad I made you laugh. I'm sure some day I will look back and do the same thing.

Feb 29, 2008 09:57 PM

Laura Karambelas

Baird & Warner Downers Grove - Downers Grove, IL

Realtor - Downers Grove

Bob- Sorry to make you nervous. Only advice is to stand your ground!! LOL

Dorene- I've found everyone is a expert when it comes to real estate. The duct tape sounds like a great idea...we have plenty laying around the house.

Tony- May have to move to the guest room (it's not that bad, yet.)

Kevin- That's funny. I'm getting ready for the "open" house as I write this. The funny part of that is, my husband always said they were a waste of my time. Now they are the golden ticket to a sale!!!

Feb 29, 2008 10:01 PM

Laura Karambelas

Baird & Warner Downers Grove - Downers Grove, IL

Realtor - Downers Grove

Steve- That's a good idea, however, he isn't really handy so that would not occupy any of his time. Actually, I had him go over yesterday to rearrange furniture!! LOL

Brande- He owes me more than $500!! I don't think I would shop, I think I would take a little break, as in vacation!

Jeff- I keep reminding him how I am not supposed to tell him how to do his job (he's a day trader) and he's not supposed to tell me how to do mine. But now he is the marketing GURU.

Suzanne-My husband is cute and yes he needs to sell, so he is cooperating with me on price, incentives, etc.. I told him that from the beginning, otherwise I would refer him out from the get-go.

Feb 29, 2008 10:06 PM

Laura Karambelas

Baird & Warner Downers Grove - Downers Grove, IL

Realtor - Downers Grove

Chris- I know we will sell it. Just the way the market is and he sounds like all of my sellers who really need to sell. I suggested he get his license. He would already have a listing. HAHA

Michael- I usually set ground rules. Most of my family members have driven me crazy, but it was a "quick crazy" because of the better market. Send well wishes so this goes quick!!

Feb 29, 2008 10:09 PM

Adam Bogle

TEN Realty Group - Ashland, OR

CRS, Southern Oregon... The Most Recognized Realto

Absolutely hillarious.

You know that this is hoq all of our clients are thinking...but fortunately we don't have to live with all of them. Hang in there.

I good lesson can be learned from this experience.

Mar 03, 2008 03:42 AM

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