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Yeah, I *Totally* Believe I Did That

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 0225085927

You won't find Kathleen Daniels' contest this month on the AR Contest Page because...well, just because.  There is some kind of techno glitch, which you can read about here.   And, you can read about the contest in more detail, including the rules, here.

Anyway,  I have been ruminating over what to post, what embarrassing or funny (or even sad) story did I have to share.  

What would make you laugh or make you cry? 

Well, I can tell you what made me cry...ok, I didn't really cry, but I sure wanted to. 

I had not been in real estate very long, in fact, my first transaction was new construction, so this was my first experience with actually driving up to houses, getting out of the car, finding the lockbox and so forth.

Hey, it's a little more challenging than it sounds.  At least when you are a brand spanking new agent who still had difficulty getting keys in locks. 

Anyway, so here I am, all dressed up - yes, that was a dead giveaway that I was a brand new agent - because not only was I dressed up, I had on heels.  At barely 5' tall, when I wear heels, well, the sky's the limit. 

And you know what doesn't go well with heels? 

 

Wooden walkways.   That's right, wooden walkways made of deck boards.

What were we doing on a wooden walkway?  Well, in the backyard of the first house we looked at was a gorgeous and massive koi pond, set in the middle of what looked like a garden oasis.  

It was exquisite and ever so inviting.

So, of course, not being content to merely let the clients simply look at it from the safety of the deck, noooo, off I went, dragging them behind me, taking a tour of this beautiful backyard.

 I LOVED that backyard, just loved it...never mind it was so NOT about me, I wanted to see this pond up close and personal and I wanted THEM to see it, too.

Because I just knew if they could see this paradise the way I was seeing it, they would fall in love with the house.   

Halfway around the wooden walkway encircling the pond and garden, my heel caught on one of the rotting deck boards (Oops!  Didn't notice that!) and down I went, crashing through the walkway, destroying my practically new shoe, scraping the $%#@ out of my leg and ripping my skirt.

My clients, after getting over the momentary shock, didn't know whether to laugh to cry, but taking their cue from me, ended up laughing hysterically.  

Of course, tears of laughter also mean your mascara runs and your makeup gets all FUBAR. 

My dear clients decided to call it a day.  I am not sure if it was concern for me or if they were just too choked up to continue that afternoon.  

It was definitely a day to remember, even if I would prefer not to!

Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Susan, that is a story to tell for many years to come, one of the many hazards of being a REALTOR.

Nov 13, 2014 10:15 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I am glad that you weren't hurt and could laugh about it, probably the last time you wore heels to show homes, right?

Nov 13, 2014 10:23 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I think that mishap makes you delightfully loveable and human...however, I understand those awkward moments. They tend to turn our cheeks red. 
Have a great Friday, Susan. 

Nov 13, 2014 11:13 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

You live and you learn Susan and learn you did. These are the things they don't teach you in the licensing classes.

Nov 13, 2014 11:23 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Susan, Thank you for promoting this contest. That is just so darn sweet of you!

I've had a heel caught before but never fallen from it ... I just walked out of the shoe. It sounds like you were lost in the beauty of the yard and pond. I am glad you clients laughed. I am pretty sure I would have laughed too .. unless of course you were hurt.  Then it is not funny.

Thank you for participating in the contest.

Nov 14, 2014 01:10 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Susan,

So, did your friends buy that house, after all that?  A

Nov 14, 2014 01:11 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

That is too funny, Susan. I think looking back you remember it that way. And one thing's for sure, your clients will never forget.

Nov 14, 2014 05:09 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Ron & Alexandra Seigel  A, no, although they loved the backyard paradise, the house left a little to be desired for them...but they did find something the next time we went out.  

Nov 14, 2014 05:21 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Susan,

Good for you, and I am glad that you got the sale.  A

Nov 14, 2014 05:48 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Susan, I fell at a restaurant a year ago while in heels. I haven't worn a pair since. Call me paranoid but nothing good comes from wearing heels.

Nov 14, 2014 06:15 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Susan,

 Yes I still wear heels but I only show new construction but I have a pair of shoes that stays in the office for muddy days and work zones and we have had many of those!

Nov 14, 2014 06:21 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I'm done with heels.  Done!  Real estate agents need to dress for comfort and utility when it comes to footwear.  That's my opinion anyway.  

Nov 14, 2014 09:13 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Oh dang that heel caught in the dry rot board!  I'm so glad that you weren't injured badly.  That could have been quite a nasty fall. 

Nov 14, 2014 10:53 AM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Well Susan-I am glad you didn't get too hurt,bruised up or worse but....if I had seen that and knew you well I would have lost it!

Nov 14, 2014 09:55 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Ah yes... when I was a new agent I had a high heel episode too and it wasn't pretty. We never really know what our clients are thinking but when there is an embarrassing moment such as what you described, there are no words to describe it because you just have to go on, it's on with the show!

You took it all in stride, bruises and blushes to match but you're not a quitter. You took the high road and never walked the wooden walkway again. This is a great story for the contest and I know for sure, you don't wear high heels anymore and neither do I. Maybe we were twins at birth and neither one of our parents told us?

Nov 14, 2014 10:07 PM
Bette Gottwald
UNITED REAL ESTATE | Central PA - Mechanicsburg, PA
"Bet"on Central PA Real Estate!

Most of my heels are in the back of the closet now collecting dust.  All it takes is one bad spill to bring out the flats permanently.  Glad the only thing hurt in the fall was your ego (they heal quickly).

Nov 16, 2014 12:25 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Oh sweet Susan, some days just don't go according to plan, do they?

Nov 17, 2014 12:10 AM