Have you heard the one that starts “A real estate agent and a young couple walk into an open house….?” Of course you haven’t because I just made it up. In fact, I made up all the jokes in this article except for one. When it comes to real estate, there are too few jokes to be had. Transactions tend to be pretty dry and the laughs are few and far between. Surely, there are one or two comedians hiding out in the rain.
Clients are rarely in a humorous mood. Sellers tend to be emotionally sensitive to any attempts at humor so a joke that starts “You hear the one about a house that sat on the market for 6 months?” is not going to go over well. Buyers are also uptight as they anxiously prepare to make one of the largest purchases of their lives. For instance, you should never use a colorful metaphor like “There’s more buyers in this market than a Walmart on Saturday.”
I think agents should ask themselves: “Does Humor Belong in Real Estate?” Really, is there room for humor anywhere in American society anymore? Facebook is full of ads, political arguments, and the floss. Any jokes on Twitter are just thinly veiled, vicious, personal attacks. Most memes are designed to parody and ridicule. In fact, I haven’t seen a light-hearted joke anywhere on social media in years. Mark Twain, the great humorist of yesteryear, would be appalled.
Okay, I will start. Read through the jokes below and let me know if any of them make you laugh. Post the number of the joke you think I borrowed. (I only know of one that was not original.) And, if the spirit moves you, post your favorite real estate joke or story. I know of one agent that walked right into a swimming pool on a showing and while he was probably scarred for life, I think it’s a funny story and I won’t call him out by name so he doesn't get embarrassed.
1. How many real estate agents does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Answer: You really should ask an expert light bulb guy. I don't feel comfortable giving answers outside of my expertise.
2. How do you make a million dollars in real estate?
Answer: Easy, start with 3 million.
3. What's the difference between a real estate agent and a cell phone?
Answer: The phone has an off switch.
4. Knock knock...who's there?
Answer: You really should ask an expert. I don't feel comfortable giving answers outside of my expertise.
Now I know this is serious business and unlike other industries we have an enormous effect on the personal lives of our clients. There’s nothing funny about a deal falling apart, earnest money being forfeited or any of the other risks involved with selling real estate. But surely there must be some funny jokes or anecdotes out there in the rain? Anyone?
Feel free to private message me if necessary!
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