This was the most amazing thing to happen to me in a long time. Today, I pulled up home and parked my car about 5:30pm. There were a group of about 8 or 10 of the neighborhood youngsters playing in front, ages ranging from about 4 years old to about 10.
After pulling my briefcase out of the car I heard the voice of one little girl asking me if I was the guy on the front page of the newspaper. (Our community paper put a big picture of me and my best friend Guy on the front page about a week or two ago playing chess at the community club we run) I said yes that was me. Another little boy piped in and said I saw your picture on the sign by Foodland. "How did your picture get there?" I explained that I pay for that. The first girl asked if I was still on TV (I was never on TV). I said no I am not. She responded owe you can afford that anymore? This was getting pretty funny. I tried to explain that I sell houses and I am not a television guy. This did not seem to have any effect on their excitement.
Before I knew it she nudged the little girl next to her and said, "Ask him."
I looked down to see her holding out a paper and a pen and asking if she could get my autograph. I was getting pretty embarrassed at this point.
Thinking quick on my feet, I pulled out my picture business cards and asked if they would rather have them. By their excited responses you'd have thought they were baseball cards. Having only a few more in my pocket, I told them I had more in the car and if they preferred I have magnet cards. You guessed it; I could have traded them for a Sammy Sosa rookie card.
While this was happening, my wife Darnelle pulled up in her car with my 6 year old son Jacob. She stopped to watch and was obviously puzzled by what she was watching.
After I passed out the refrigerator magnets each youngster asking for 2 or more of them I walked back to the house. My wife was waiting and dying to find out what was going on.
Just as I began to tell her the story, three more children showed up at our door asking if they could also get magnets. I went in the house and grabbed the ones off our refrigerator, which sent them on their way all excited. I then was able to tell my wife the story.
After grabbing a quick bit of food, Jacob and I loaded in the car and headed for the chess club. During the drive he asked me if we still had any refrigerator magnets (he seemed to be concerned). I said, "don't worry we can get more". He then questioned me about why I gave them to the neighbor children. I explained how they thought I was famous. He quickly responded, "You are Dad!" I said, "Jacob I am not famous I am only a Realtor". He responded without thinking, "Dad you are the best Realtor and that makes you famous". Wow, talk about making my day.
Beside the smile on my face, I walked away knowing that someone's perception is their reality. If your clients perceive you're a great realtor, than you are at least to them. If children perceive you are famous, they will find the most amazing ways to make you feel like it.
Posted by 
Randy.. now you can do that 'superstar' move like the lady on SNL.!! very cute story.. hhmmm Apprasier / REALTOR® 'Baseball' cards.. 
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