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What to do while waiting for "that" call...

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

I'm sure I can speak for most Realtors® when I say that sometimes we sit and wait for a call from a client. We know it's coming, and when clients are thoughtful like mine are, they often give me a heads up when to expect it.

Yesterday afternoon was one of those times. When a last-minute glitch arose, my buyers let me know they wouldn't have the answer they were awaiting for several hours. We needed to wait to prepare and submit their purchase offer.

So, what to do?

Knowing I didn't have to sit at my computer, the three of us (my husband, my phone and I!) went out for a walk. Nearby Russian Hill is always a delight and today was no exception.

First stop: The Candy Store on Vallejo near Van Ness and Polk - time to indulge in some licorice for after dinner.

The Candy Store, Vallejo St, SF

Then it was on up to the top of Vallejo, near the summit of Russian Hill to take in the view, listen to the wild parrots squawk and enjoy their antics. While there, a quick phone call to Za Pizza was made--pizza would be ready in 20 minutes.

Top of Vallejo Street, SF

Down a staircase, down a hill, up quaint pedestrian Macondray Lane enjoying the flower-lined pathway with its Buddha statue.

Macondray Lane, SF

Back up a hill, then down to Hyde Street - our takeout pizza was just coming out of the oven.

Take home pizza from Za Pizza, Hyde Street, SF

Heading back down to Polk Street and a quick visit to William Cross Wine Merchants for a bottle of red, and then back home.

Getting wine for dinner, William Cross Wines

20 minutes later, the first of my awaited phone calls came in. I had gotten a bit of exercise, enjoyed the gorgeous shirt-sleeve weather, and had eaten some pizza with a glass of fine red.

Living in San Francisco makes little jaunts like this possible while waiting for "that" call to come in.

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Lottie, looks like you used your time well while waiting and had a good time to boot!

Jul 12, 2015 06:42 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Great way to spend your time on a nailbiter! Super photos. Love San Francisco.

Jul 12, 2015 07:33 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Lottie, I loved following your tour while you waited for "that" call.  I am about to to the same by car, instead of un foot.  It's never fun waiting for "that" call or "that" email!

Jul 12, 2015 09:24 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Great post Lottie, and the pizza, red wine and licorice is a favorite of mine. You make your area so inviting, love your posts!

Jul 12, 2015 11:40 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Lottie, Time well spent.  Now I’ve got another place I need to remember to ask Sean to take me – parrots. I will definitely want to avoid the candy store … love licorice.  You are living the dream!

Jul 12, 2015 11:27 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Lou Ludwig - my phone goes on hikes and adventures with me. We're lucky that way!

Walking in San Francisco's neighborhoods is always fun, Silvia Dukes PA, REALTOR, CRS, CIPS, SRES 

Do you come up to visit often, Hella Mitschke Rothwell? When you're not in Hawaii, that is?

Jul 13, 2015 12:11 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Sharon Parisi - I'm glad you enjoyed coming along on a virtual walk! We're lucky we have cell phones and are no longer tethered to our desks.

Sharon Paxson - visiting favorite shops and exploring the neighborhoods is a great way to get exercise and keep from fretting while waiting for an important phone call.

Right you are, Kathleen Daniels - we're definitely living our dream and loving the urban lifestyle. Sometime I'd like to hear more about Sean's startup--sounds like he's living his dream, too.

Jul 13, 2015 12:47 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Lottie - that was a dream of a Sunday afternoon.  The scenes and weather look wonderful.  Glad you have a thoughtful client.

Jul 13, 2015 02:38 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Lottie Kendall You're so right!  Cell phones have set us free in so many ways!

Jul 13, 2015 05:07 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Lottie, you do live in paradise, and that does sound like an excellent way to burn off some time until the clients return the calls! 

Jul 13, 2015 10:48 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Grant Schneider - having the freedom to fill dead space with something productive is great - walking in the City does it for me

Sharon Parisi - yes! no more tethers. Smart phones are the best.

Joan Cox - burn some time, burn some calories, breathe in some fresh air and scenary, time with my husband - it's all good.

Jul 14, 2015 01:46 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Lottie

San Francisco California . . . . is a great city to walk in . . . . and every time I'm in the city I enjoy the walking.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jul 14, 2015 07:53 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

note to self: go to San Francisco to await such calls. I know- I can do this locally but San Francisco at this time of year is so nice.

Jul 15, 2015 09:08 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

That's tough duty, Lottie. The stress of it all must take a terrible toll on you. Especially if all your clients are treating your time so diligently. You've trained them well.

Jul 15, 2015 12:13 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi @Lou - I get out and walk in SF at least 30 minutes, perhaps 4 or 5 days a week, hiking on the Peninsula or Marin other days. I need my exercise - keeps me sharper for my job

Hi Chuck Willman - this week has been especially beautiful in SF - weather is conducive to getting out, walking and exploring.

Hello Wayne Johnson - our jobs can be stressful, so finding ways to make all the pieces of our life fit together is essential. I'm happy to report that these buyers are now in contract to purchase their first home! I respect their time, and they respect mine--it's all in the communication.

Jul 15, 2015 01:43 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing your adventures and your photographs.

I took a long photowalk this morning but only photographed flowers and plants.

Jul 17, 2015 05:33 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

On your (next) trip to San Francisco, Roy Kelley, you and Dolores need to plan a day for Strybing Arboretum, located in Golden Gate Park - you would appreciate it and the variety of plants.

Jul 17, 2015 09:24 AM
Nancy Laswick
United Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
Your REALTOR® For The Valley Of The Sun

I'm very jealous Lottie Kendall it will be late September before I'll be able to go for a walk during the middle of the day.

Jul 17, 2015 01:54 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Saturday morning Lottie. I too am jealous of the wonderful weather y'all are having in the Bay Area. It is just too damn hot here.

Jul 17, 2015 06:50 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Nancy Laswick and Michael Thornton - maybe the picture in my post from this morning will cool you off!

Jul 18, 2015 12:17 AM