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1st Listing I'm still remembering after 25 years!

By
Real Estate Agent with Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd.

    My first listing appointment was in the small town of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. It was a near perfect house.  I was so excited!  My broker when with me since this my first experience.  While this was more than 25 years ago, I will never forget it because I was young & naïve & obviously not prepared for the personalities of Sellers! 

After walking through the house, I saw down with Mr. & Mrs. Seller who were in their very early 80’s and felt like I was with my grandparents. I was relaxed, happy and really just wanted to give them a big squeeze!  The appointment was going very well.  We agreed to a price, terms and I pulled out my listing paperwork and started filling it out for them to sign.  When I pushed the contract over to them so they could see it, Mr. Seller stood up, cleared his throat and very loudly and sternly said – “Before I sign this, there is something you need to know.  I will not sell my house to anyone of color, I wouldn’t want my neighbors to be upset with me.  You cannot show the home to anyone who is not white!”  I was stunned.  Unfortunately just moments before Mr. Seller made his prounouncement,  I had taken a bit of a homemade cookie (made by Mrs. Seller) in my mouth!  I actually spit it out across the table onto Mrs. Seller!  I was speechless and embarrassed at the same time!  I looked at my Broker who was sitting silently beside me with fear and uncertainty in my eyes.  Thankfully, he recognized my inability to respond and said “I am sorry Mr. Seller we cannot represent a seller that is violating a Federal Law.  If you are going to ask us to not show your home to anyone that can afford to purchase it, we will not be able to represent you.  Thank you for the cookies and your time.   I hope we didn't make too much of a mess.”

My Broker stood up and started to gather the paperwork we had on the table and so I followed his lead. Almost immediately after I stood up.  Mr. Seller said, “You are right, I’ll let you show my house to anyone, but they have be able to afford my house!”  My broker said “Of Course!”  And on that note we sat down and finished the paperwork for the listing.

What lesson this experience was me!  My Broker showed me such Grace.  I learned how to respond respectfully to someone who was not being respectful.  I also learned that if I needed too, I could and would walk away.  But most of all - I learned not to eat the cookies and tea while I was signing the contract!

Posted by

Joy

Joy Daniels, GRI, ABR, CSP, e-PRO
JOY DANIELS REAL ESTATE GROUP, LTD
2793 Old Post Road, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA  17110

(717) 695-3177  office - Call TODAY and let me help you find your dream home!

www.joydaniels.com

Joy@JoyDaniels.com - Email TODAY and let me help you find your dream home!

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Comments (28)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                           Thank you Joy Daniels 

Oct 29, 2016 10:34 AM
Joy Daniels

What a nice surprise!  :)  I was on vacation and found this when I returned!  THANK YOU!

Nov 01, 2016 02:48 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Joy, what a great lesson!  Your broker set a fine example that you've clearly remembered over the years.  

Oct 29, 2016 12:34 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Joy. What a story. You had a smart Broker and a good example of the right stuff.;

Oct 29, 2016 10:19 PM
Terry Records
Records Results!Real Estate - Fort Myers, FL

Hi Joy, 

Really enjoyed reading this post. You were lucky to learn from the wise.

Terry

Oct 29, 2016 10:32 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Joy Daniels ,

Loved your story and it made an impression on you to remember it 25 years later! Your Broker was a good mentor..you learned some valuable lessons!

Oct 29, 2016 11:24 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Joy. It is good to see how much times have changed! Enjoy your day!

Oct 29, 2016 11:42 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I can see why Kathy chose your blog post this week...great stuff!

Oct 30, 2016 12:07 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Joy

That's quite a first experience. Your broker handled it perfectly. Glad it all worked out but what a way to get started in the real estate business!

Jeff

Oct 30, 2016 12:42 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I read this twice! I actually think that Mr. Seller thought your broker was implying that someone of color couldn't afford the home. I'm sure that's not your broker's intention, at least I hope so, but that sounds like a "code" that was used in the old days. 

 

I'm grateful that most of the country has moved beyond this kind of thinking, but a long way to go. 

Oct 30, 2016 02:20 AM
Joy Daniels

Deinitely not my broker's intention!  :)  His intention was to help my seller recognize his wrong intent!

Nov 01, 2016 02:51 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Joy - I can understand how you felt.  Learning how to do this with grace is something we have to learn.  I had this early on when I was an HR manager and had similar comments.

Oct 30, 2016 03:24 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great story and lessons learned!

Your broker was a fine example. The flying cookie cracked me up. LOL

Oct 30, 2016 04:53 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

All of this was such a great lesson in how to inspire a new realtor to do the right and ethical thing--not to mention learning NOT to eat during a listing presentation!! (I loved that last line). 

Oct 30, 2016 07:05 AM
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

That is what we can all hope, all realtors will do.  Good post

Oct 30, 2016 10:20 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

In a recent closing in Silicon Valley, CA the 1926 villa I sold had a CC&R stipulating the non-white people can not move into that neighborhood. Mexicans, Asians and Afro Americans can move in only if they are servants and they can not bring their children with them.  Only visitations of one night is allowed.

Oct 30, 2016 11:43 AM
Joy Daniels

It's silly isn't it . . . they don't change them from days that are thankfully past!

Nov 01, 2016 02:50 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Joy Daniels - now I will not eat cookies at the open house...lol! (just kidding)

In fact, we learn from every transaction - the most we learn from our first one. Good the broker was with you all the time - not everyone is so lucky.

Oct 30, 2016 03:14 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Wow. That is one we all dread getting and you had it as your first one!

Oct 31, 2016 01:05 PM
Joy Daniels

It was definitely a learning experience!  Glad I had a broker that was quick on his feet!

Nov 01, 2016 02:50 AM
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Great story Joy, what a first experience!

Nov 01, 2016 08:33 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Of course, your broker handled this perfectly.  He/she explained discrimination is against the law and was ready to walk away. You know, it could have been worse. Instead of spitting that cookie out, you could have choked on it!

Nov 01, 2016 09:05 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Your broker taught a great 'first' lesson - ALWAYS do the right thing!  And, doing so, will bring you good Karma!

Nov 02, 2016 10:10 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Joy, your broker sounds wonderful and a quick thinker too. That's you now for your agents :) I've only had something like this happen one time and I still cringe hearing the words come out of the potential sellers mouth. Illegal and downright awful.

Nov 02, 2016 11:39 PM