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What I learned in Real Estate this week - 7/12/15

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Zion Realty

If you've been in the real estate industry long enough you know the old adage, "there is never a dull moment". Contractual agreements will be disputed at the last minute threatening an entire transaction. Home inspections will find major structural issues not foreseen by either the buyer or seller. As a real estate agent for over 17 years, I could write a novel on the kooky and wacky situations I've walked in to upon entering a home that's for sale.

However, there are times when normalcy can take the wheel and lull you in to a slumber. You will hit stretches of highway that are smooth with no real impediments or difficulties to overcome. There are times when all seems right with the world around you and it seems as if the universe may be providing you a reprieve from the burdens and aggravations that life and business can so often hurl at you. 

The better part of the past few months I've found myself in a moment of time that has had it's fair share of balls and strikes but nothing that's relegated me to the bench. There hasn't been any complete strike outs but there haven't been any home runs either. No major disagreements have forced a charge to the mound or a face to face confrontation with the umpire. I've met some great new clients over this period of time and the past few open houses I've had would be labeled as a success by most standards. That is until yesterday's open house!

Just this past week I listed a condo for sale with an open house scheduled. My seller did not want any showings until the actual open house so I conveyed those wishes in the MLS listing. Gathering up all my marketing materials, open house signs, water bottles and baked goodies for the potential buyers(and maybe a few for me), I headed over to the condo to begin preparations.  Much to my bewilderment I walked up to the door and found this lovely note that had been left by a neighbor:

If you read that like I did you're just as confused as me. Who in the world leaves a note like this on someones door besides a person that is in serious need of psychological evaluation. So what did I learn in real estate this week? You just never know what the day will bring!

The last thing I expected to see when I showed up to my open house was some sort of paranoid and dillusional handwritten warning from a deranged nearby resident. Thankfully I had another agent there with me during the open house. There wasn't any incident while we were there and I will be reporting the letter to the authorities tomorrow morning. I hope this was my one speed bump before getting back to a flat and open road but knowing real estate, there is always something waiting for you just around the corner!

Comments(35)

Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

Perhaps your have a better sense of why the tenant is moving out.

Yes, do have your wits about you when you are over in that property.

Jul 12, 2015 12:52 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow Nicole, that is so weird,  I wonder who this is that put this one up. 

Jul 12, 2015 12:54 PM
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

What do you tell authorities about a note like that? Intersting thing to find for sure, hope its the last speedbump for awhile.

Jul 12, 2015 01:48 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Nicole. How crazy is that, some of this stuff you just can't make up. Anything like this should always be reported.

Make it a great week!

Jul 12, 2015 07:09 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Nicole.  I agree there are always those bumps in the highway we call real estate that keeps us on our toes looking 

Jul 12, 2015 08:48 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Nicole, that is pretty crazy. I am glad the open house went well with no issues.

Jul 12, 2015 10:40 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Nicole, Someone has too much time on their hands and likes to pay silly games.  No telling what their true intention was/is.  You are very wise to report it.  Glad you had someone there with you during the open house.

Jul 12, 2015 11:24 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Tammy -  I already have multiple offers on the condo so hopefully there won't be any more showings!

Joan - I stopped doing open houses by myself years ago!

Claude - I hope the previous tenant contacts me. I'd really love to know if they had any run-ins.

Will - It's a condo converstion complex so the unit is surrounded by several others. It has to be someone close.

Stefan - I'll just tell them it was put on the door and hopefully they'll pay a visit to the area and knock on some neighbors doors to try and find the culprit. 

 

Jul 13, 2015 12:42 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Joe - It will be reported first thing this morning. I don't want this crazy person affecting inspections, or anything else.

James - Stuff like this definitely keeps you alert!

Jeffrey - Me too!

Kathleen - This condo is in an older part of the city that's a little more disheveled so I'm not surprised the area would attract someone who would leave a note like this. 

Jul 13, 2015 12:44 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

I agree with those that urged some caution regarding your time and activities at this property, Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert ... this note is more than a bit alarming.  Stay safe ...

Gene

Jul 13, 2015 01:39 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Nicole

WOW . . . . that's the first time I've seen something the note . . . . 

*What did the owner say about the note? Also owner may want to report it the police.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

 

Jul 13, 2015 07:46 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Gene - It was a little unnerving and I'm glad there were no incidents to deal with.

Lou - The owner emailed me back saying whoever left this note was a "jackass". 

Jul 13, 2015 08:14 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Nicole -- why am I imagining alien abductions and conspiracy theories run amok -- yes, we all want to know the story behind that note.  

Jul 13, 2015 08:41 AM
Mike Tizzano
Amerifirst Financial, Inc Equal Housing Oppurtinity Lender AZ BK0013635 NMLS 145368 LO:1015837 - Mesa, AZ
Protect Your Transaction Certified Lender

It was me. Ok just kidding.  It appears that unit has a unique history or there's a crazy neighbor :)

Jul 13, 2015 09:37 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Michael - The person who wrote this note may or may not have an tin foil helmet on right now.

Mike - I'm going with crazy neighbor! 

Jul 13, 2015 09:53 AM
Mike Tizzano
Amerifirst Financial, Inc Equal Housing Oppurtinity Lender AZ BK0013635 NMLS 145368 LO:1015837 - Mesa, AZ
Protect Your Transaction Certified Lender

Well let's hope the buye doesn't meet this individual prior to close of escrow 

Jul 13, 2015 09:55 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Sometimes you just have to say "wow". I'll be following you to see what comes next!

Jul 13, 2015 11:09 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Mike - It's been years since a neighbor ruined a transaction for me. I don't want that streak to end now. 

Pat - It was disturbing, alarming, and concering. Now it also becomes a disclosure issue. 

Jul 14, 2015 12:58 AM
Kim Johnson
Signature Realty Inc. - Coral Springs, FL
Selling South Florida

Read your post and I'm speechless! At least you can do open houses in condos! The commando's down here won't allow us.

Jul 14, 2015 07:30 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Kim - They don't allow open houses in Condo's where you're at? How strange. Condo conversions aren't even very prevalent over here but I've never not been able to do an open house at one. 

Jul 14, 2015 08:38 AM