Let's face it. Awkward moments can occur in any profession. Here are a few examples from the Real Estate industry, relating specifically to the daily activities of a licensed real estate agent.
If you are considering getting into real estate, don't say we didn't warn you! :-/
That awkward moment when:
- your Seller informs you she is licensed in another state and expects a courtesy discount for your listing effort -- a day prior to closing.
- your buyers use the bathroom in the house (against your policy) and don't even bother to close the door.
- your buyers use the bathroom (against your policy) in a winterized home.
- your buyers use the bathroom (against your policy) in a home that isn't stocked with toilet paper.
- your Buyer helps himself to food in the refrigerator of the house you are showing.
- your buyers ask to follow you to the next home because they don't have GPS or a cell phone, and you get separated in traffic.
- your rental clients call a listing agent directly (without your knowledge) for property information, book a showing through the listing agent, and then 'bring it back' to you for assistance in negotiating the lease agreement the listing agent has already drafted.
- you ask the Title Company to hire an interpreter for closing -- and the interpreter they hire is the same real estate agent the Buyer fired before he hired you.
- a newbie competitor copies your content, word for word, from your website -- including your name and company logo.
- a newbie competitor copies your business card, and uses your license number and telephone number.
- you receive angry calls from dissatisfied customers for services provided by less-than-detail-oriented newbie agents who copied your website content and contact details.
- you receive a postcard from a competitor advertising "their" sold listing -- which happens to be YOUR sold listing.
- you received a request for property information and discover that it is a fictitious listing being advertised by a prominent local area broker...
- your new team member asks for help with 'the google'.
- a listing broker asks if the image in your email signature is really you, and upon confirmation, suggests you would look "sexier as a red head".
- your buyers ask if you mind if they smoke, and then proceed to light up something "not nicotine".
- you enter a property where the alarm is armed and you have not been provided with alarm instructions.
- the Seller leaves 'bedroom toys 'on display, and your buyer's two-year-old wants to' play with toys'.
- you walk into a poorly lit property and get startled by your own reflection in the foyer mirror - then launch into self-defense mode in the direct line of sight of your relocating buyers -- who are not from Texas...
- the neighbors decide to meet your buyers during your showing, dressed in their RenFest costumes.
- the key your Seller left under the mat doesn't open the front or back door, and your showings start in 15 minutes.
- your Buyer forgets her cell phone on the counter of the home 2 1/2 hours away from your current location.
- you follow the home inspector out on the balcony to look at the roof condition he wants to discuss, and the locked door closes… and neither of you have the key or your cell phones.
- the HVAC technician has a case of low blood sugar while servicing the air handler in the attic.
- your buyer is convinced the home is haunted and screams like a little girl when the Buyer's agent who is scheduled for the next showing rings the doorbell.
- your Buyer's children vomit on the kitchen floor.
- your Seller client complains that dinner didn't agree with him, and expresses it with more than words while you review offers.
- your Buyer predicates search satisfaction based on your ability to match to specific demographic requirements relating to race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
- you recognize that a portion of the home you are showing is dedicated by the Seller as a prayer room, and your Buyer trods all over the floor with shoes on and starts touching things.
- your preferred lender calls you to let you know they can't get your college friend prequalified…
- the home inspector can't figure out how to turn on the stove burners or vent hood.
- you are talking to your Seller in the front yard and realize, too late, you are standing in an ant bed.
- you speak at Career Day for your child's classroom, and the 3rd grade students offer you a collection of change because you are 'broker', and they are sweet, sweet, spirits who misunderstand titles and want to show your family some love.
- your client 'pokes' you on facebook.
- your Buyer client asks how far the nearest gas station is from the property you are showing, and when you pull up geo-location on google maps with the question 'where am I?", your Buyer thinks you are stupid.
- your single client Photoshops your picture into his selfie, and then tags you on facebook, twitter, and google plus.
- a listing agent -- who won a listing you competed for -- calls you to ask you for advice on how to get the home sold.
- a buyer prospect equates you to Satan when you advise him to get preapproved before starting the home search.
- you see an embarrassing typo in the property description of another agent's listing, and recognize that no good deed will go unpunished.
- your married clients get into a fight and look to you for mediation throughout your entire day of showing.
- the next showing agent expects you to hand off the key, and you inform them that they will have to open the lockbox to access the property…
- the next showing agent bangs on the door trying to bully his way in on top of your scheduled showing…
- the next showing agent asks how your Buyers liked the home as you are departing…
- you are field training another agent who didn't bring her SupraKey because it "wasn't charged".
- your "friends" call you for real estate advice so they can "do it themselves" and "save money".
- you meet your relocation buyer for the first time and they comment that they thought you would be "taller" -- because you sounded "taller" on the phone.
Can you identify with an uncomfortable scenario on this list? Please share your commentary / feedback if you can relate! #truthisstrangerthanfiction
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