Life is a funny thing sometimes. You simply have to laugh at the odd turn of events that so often come your way.

Last year I received a booking for two new construction houses that were just being built. I was there to get some view shots. When I arrived at the first house (they were side by side), the construction workers told me I couldn't use the stairs to get to the third floor (and the deck I needed to be on). Instead they directed me to an A-frame ladder. It looked a little sketchy but dutifully I climbed it.

When I reached the top of the ladder it collapsed.

I fell some 8-10 feet onto a marble floor (I'm going to show you a picture in a moment). Both of my legs actually caught in the ladder itself so in essence my legs bore 90% of the impact (probably why I'm still alive - it's good that my head didn't take that impact on the marble). Both my legs were crushed and I actually bent the metal ladder some 30 degrees.

Naturally I got right up because hey, I felt fine! (I was in shock). ;)

About five minutes later I could barely move my legs, one hand etc. It was at that point that I went straight to ye olde emergency room.

Being a cheeky fellow I was joking with my doctor when he informed me it was possible for me to lose my legs (I was less cheeky after that revalation). I had compartment syndrome (crush) in each leg...and the swelling was literally so bad they could see it on the x-rays which normally don't even register soft tissue injuries.

Long story short, I'm fine...and I'm walking around on a great set of knobby legs. The lesson of this story is...be careful on ladders! ;)

- - -

But...the story doesn't end there.

Just this week I received a booking that looked suspiciously familiar. Yes, it was the 'ladder house' as I affectionally call it!

Now I am back again, it seems the listing changed hands and as the top agents are a small group and I shoot for many of them...here I was again. :)

Fortunately the stairs were complete this time, whew!

But this brings me to my second point (and I have no intention of being critical of my client) but in my opinion wouldn't the second pic have benifited from at least a little staging? A table, a lamp, a statue...maybe a plant?

I understand new construction pre-sales are a different breed but I think good staging makes them more competitive just like any other listing. Worth considering.

Cheers, -B