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Does Humor Belong in Real Estate?

By
Real Estate Agent 100076903

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!

 

Comments (21)

Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Mark,

You cannot survive in this business without a sense of humor. It seems to me that I have heard #2 before. Cannot think of one myself right now.

Feb 07, 2019 08:58 PM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Thanks for reading June Piper-Brandon and Dorte, I'm glad to hear you both say you keep your sense of humor!

Feb 07, 2019 09:36 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I actually find that both sellers and buyers are always ready to laugh, and humor pops up all the time. As for social media, I agree there aren't many "light-hearted" jokes which is all the more reason to limit social media time and increase laughs in our real life.

As for the above jokes, I'd say #2 might be a repeat. Or maybe #3.

Feb 08, 2019 04:13 AM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Thanks Kat Palmiotti its good to hear you can have fun with buyers and sellers.

Feb 08, 2019 08:11 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

If we don't laugh we will surely cry so humor is the best medicine.

Feb 08, 2019 03:12 PM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Thanks for stopping by Joe Pryor . Joke # 2 was the one I borrowed. Tough crowd here in the rain!

Feb 08, 2019 03:20 PM
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

#1. is my favorite. Thanks for the laugh.

Feb 08, 2019 05:49 PM
Anonymous
Rick Gehrke

After 29 years as a very successful Realtor, I have found a sense of humor is essential. You have to have a sense of when and how to use it. I have found it not only helps make the transactions go smoother it also helps in getting more referrals. People like to work with happy people.

Feb 08, 2019 05:51 PM
#9
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I have one standing G rated joke I tell frequently to anyone looking at buying in the Phoenix Metro area.  We have a circle of freeways and each has it's own "spirit"."  But they all have one thing in common, most people in the area drive up to 10 miles over the speed limit.  The joke makes them laugh and they start to identify with driving patterns here in the City.  That warms them up every time.

Feb 08, 2019 06:38 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Holy Smokes... I didn't think that those were funny jokes!!  Someone out there has to have a few.

I tend to get jocular in preliminary meetings to break the ice between a group of people.  But sometimes I should stay more serious.  There is a lot of money and anxiety in dealing with a house, its value, and what the bottom line is going to be.

Feb 08, 2019 06:48 PM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Mahalo Julie A. Black 

Great points Rick Gehrke!

Thanks Jan Green for providing your ice breaker. Nobody else has attempted a joke!

Lol, thanks for coming by John Henry I'm hoping to get another joke or two out of this post!

 

 

Feb 08, 2019 07:04 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You borrowed #2 - I know I've heard that one before. I'm terrible at remembering punch lines, so don't know a lot of jokes, but do appreciate the ones I hear.

I used to know some blonde jokes - but now those are politically incorrect so can't tell them. Also can't tell jokes about women - or men - or darned near anything - without someone popping up to be offended.

Feb 08, 2019 09:39 PM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Hi Marte Cliff I did borrow #2. It can be challenging to come up with original jokes, especially without offending anyone. I have blonde hair and I don't think we're a protected class so please feel free to tell a blonde joke!

Feb 08, 2019 10:11 PM
Marte Cliff

I'm blonde too, but ... Seems like there's always someone out there looking for a reason to be offended.


Fortunately, my circle of friends here at home are all politically incorrect people who aren't easily offended, so we can tell funny jokes without fear.

Feb 09, 2019 10:26 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

I have told the light bulb joke before, but my punch line is ..."none that is property management's job".

Feb 09, 2019 06:23 AM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Yes, even better! Thanks Steve Loynd   

 

Feb 09, 2019 07:22 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

I like to be positive and upbeat. I have a humor that not everyone gets, so I have to be careful not to make myself look like a crazy.

It is probably best to get a sense of their personality before the jokes come out.

If we can get them to laughing it can help them relax and be more productive in the real estate transaction.

Feb 09, 2019 08:40 AM
Bruce Kunz
C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ
REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

I agree that a sense of humor is essential, but I'm not so much a joke telling guy. Most humor seems situational & likely won't be understood by 'outsiders'.

Thanks for sharing Mark Parsons and I'll be watching for more joking opportunities.
Bruce

 

Feb 09, 2019 09:48 AM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Thanks for visiting John Wiley and Bruce Kunz I agree that you should be sensitive to the situation, good-natured, and have a good time. Even though the stakes are high, we should still enjoy our work.

Feb 09, 2019 11:10 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I liked the Walmart-buyers reference b/c it's true!  I often find a little humor when dealing with clients (when appropriate) does lighten the mood and is a nice  ice breaker--makes everyone a bit more comfortable.

Feb 10, 2019 10:15 AM
Mark Parsons
Littleton, CO
Beautiful Colorado Home

Thanks Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR I totally agree!

Feb 10, 2019 11:03 AM