My phone rang and the call was coming from a number I didn't recognize in Atlanta.
Caller: "Is this Housepat?"
OMG! This is somebody calling on my shiny new web site! The one at www.housepat.com! The possibilities made me giddy - I mean you never know. Are they relocating to the DC area? Do they want a big, gorgeous house in Cleveland Park or Chevy Chase?
Me: "Well, yes. Did you find me on housepat.com?"
Caller: "My friend said that Housepat helped him to rent his house without charging a commission. Can you help me to rent my house here in Atlanta without charging a commission?"
OMG II! Is she nuts?
Then I realized she was looking for a limited service agent. I explained that I provided full real estate services to people who wanted to buy or sell homes in the Washington, DC area, and that I was not licensed in Georgia.
Caller: "OK, then. I need to talk to the real Housepat. She helped my friend!"
She got a little cranky when I insisted that I am the real Housepat and hung up.
Fast forward 24-hours. I was working a little late at the office, and her number showed up again on my caller ID. She'd checked with her friend, and he insisted that he went to Housepat for help with his rental, and www.housepat.com looks like a real honest-to-gosh website, and was I sure that there wasn't a Housepat in there someplace who could help her.
So how could I resist?
I was in front of a computer and Googled limited service agents in Atlanta. And Google delivered. I gave her the contact information for three agents who topped the list. When she hung up, she sounded so grateful.
Hmmm. Maybe she'll give my name to all of her friends who want to list their rentals for cheap.
Just what I need!
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