Back to the Future...Or You DOn't Need To Teach Old Dogs New Tricks!?!

We both bellied up to the crowded bar at the same time back in 1992...two strangers who had never met but were thirsty...He for a mixed drink and me for an ice cold frosted mug. I think I paid a buck fifty for his mixed drink.

He was with his wife and I was with mine...sort of.  He was from a different town and I was from a different decade...and we were both at our wives 10 year reunion get together at the Office Bar in St Paul, NE. 

We did not know anyone so we started chatting...for hours.

Unknown to either of us guys... A lifelong and fortunate (and to this day profitable) relationship  was about to be formed.

Note: This blog has many twists and turns...pay attention...you might want to allow a few extra minutes to read...maybe go grab a cup of coffee and relax.

I have been thinking all month about how to write a blog that fit the mold Anna Banana  envisioned for the June contest. Pandemic...Apocalypse...Murder Hornets?

SO I decided to share with you a bit of how I work:

Here is the Rest of the Story based off of 5 of my work and private life principals: 

1. Ask the question or the answer might be no...make them tell you no. Some will tell you yes! Some will even tell you no and then tell you yes, later.

2. Never turn down or turn off a past or potential client...years later it may be extremely profitable.

3. If nothing else...introduce yourself and make a new friend or two!!

4. Stay in touch... Why? Because it may pay off handsomely down the road!

5. Never hold friends or family hostage to a real estate deal...EVER!

Doug is his name...I bought him that first drink just shy of 28 years ago and he pointed out who he was with at the reunion with and I told him who I was with. I am still with mine.

Turns out the wives were high school buddies. We had a good time that night as we got to know each other. 

We only lived about 430 miles apart...he 20 miles from the reunion and my wife and I, 450 miles away in Colorado Springs.

I had just became a real estate agent a few months before and he had just started being a manager for a tire store in Grand Island, NE. We stayed in touch over the years and as it turned out we had many mutual friends so we bumped into each other through the 90's at weddings and such. We stayed in touch.

Robyn and I built a new house in 1999 high on a hill in Colorado Springs that had views everywhere...and I told Doug they should stop sometime when they were in Colorado...and in 2001 they did.  Only for a quick tour and a beer.

By now I was a successful real estate agent (because of my wife) and he was a small minority owner of the tire store. Life moved on and, thankfully, Doug became a single man.

Then in 2003 we moved to Kearney, NE to be closer to relatives and we built a new home.

Doug was now the tire and appliance store co-owner of Garrett Tire and Treads in Kearney and we purchased all of our appliances from him...we still have the stove and dishwasher!!  Boom...profits made from a drink 11 years prior.

I have purchased all of our tires from him since 2003. Boom money made off of a drink!

2 Years later in 2005 Doug wanted to buy a house in the country...and I found a small home on a lake which turned out to be a very good deal for me!!A bit rundown...but...Boom money was finally made by me because of a drink and introduction!                             I give you the before photo:

Not soon after that deal closed, Doug referred a farmer to me and I sold that farm for a very large commission.  KA-Boom ...more profits made...way more than I have ever spent on tires or had ever made in my career!!

A few years later that 125K home on the lake was doubled in size for Doug's new wife..and the garage became a 6 car garage and they planted hundreds of trees on the acreage.

A beautiful property had now risen from the sand. And what a property it is now:

Then fast forward to 2020 the spring of the apocalypse. The phone rang... and I answered "whats up dog"...

"Mike...this is Doug...I have got some bad news...and some good news for you". Pause.  

Doug had been ill and was thinking it had to do with his heart issues.Then quickly I thought maybe there was something wrong with the tires I just purchased from him for my truck.

"Which do you want to hear first?" He Laughs.  I said..."give me the bad news."

"Alright...Annette and I bought a condo in town...(Pause)....and you are not going to like this part...from your former Broker...(name not shared for this blog)."  

"Ouch", I replied..."that hurts."   Doug said "and that is not all...he wants to list my lake house."   

I was now hoping for the good news here.  "Are you listing with him?" I asked.   

"Nope...I told him I was listing with you and the only reason I used him to buy the condo was because someone else at his open house mentioned writing a contract. He was not happy!" 

After some more chatter and talk, I assured Doug that I was not upset and suggest he do a bridge loan which he did.

I did List and then Sold their beautiful lake house and it closed in May for $430,000. Boom....I also received a handsome referral from the Buyer selling his home in another town plus I double-ended the deal. Boom.  In addition the new owners are now great friends.

PLUS!!!  Doug referred his next door neighbor to me who was moving to Florida and I have now place that home under contract along with neighboring lot for a total of $490,000!! KABoom!!  Below is the neighbors house!

Ohh...I am not done yet my friends. 

A drink at the bar for about buck fifty back in 1992. 

That farmer I mentioned earlier that I sold his farm?  He also has a ranch in the Sandhills and I met with him last week about selling it for him...somewhere in the 3 million dollar range.  I hope I get the deal and can have that opportunity!! He was referred years ago by Doug and we have stayed in touch!

Wild story that has to end right? Nope, not done yet...

This is crazy advice I know but...INTRODUCE YOURSELF.  ASK FOR THEIR BUSINESS!

The previous blog that I posted today before this one...is a beautiful Lakefront Home I listed FOR SALE in my hometown.

 

The home owner husband, Eric, is building a home on some land I sold 4 years ago to a different farmer. It will be done in late July.

That farmer, Jeff, that I had sold the land to a few years back had now sold that Eric 10 acres.  Jeff also owned the Meat Processing plant I recently Sold this spring in St Paul. 

I asked Eric this spring who he was going to have list his home and he said  he was going FSBO.  I said great....if I can be of help or if it doesn't work out let me know.  And now it is listed with me!  That was a few months ago before I sold the 2 lake homes in Kearney. We loaded the listing today in the system! How does this convoluted paragraph tie into the relationship Doug and I have had you ask?

Eric and Maria listed with me for two reasons.  I had Sold the other lake homes...Doug's, and the one referred by Doug. AND Eric and Maria are recent additions to the area and  great business owners that I have gotten to know.  Anyway...he and his wife opened a Distillery a few years back in my hometown...and I bought the FIRST Drink ever Sold there when I introduced myself to the owner Eric!!!  I think I paid $4.50 for the Gin & Tonic and left a 5.50 tip.

Remember way back at the start of this blog...I mentioned the Office Bar in St Paul? The current owner purchased the bar back in 1974...I was 21 years old. I was there the day they took ownership. Marie has been a friend since that day through some fun times and even a tragic time back then.  I told her in the 1990's I wanted to sell the Office Bar for her some day.  3 Years ago she said she wanted to make it to 45 years and then sell.  Well guess what? The same Bar Doug and I met in is now going to have new owners after all these decades!  Multi millionaires have passed through the doors of this little bar in my hometown.

And Now wouldn't you know it...

I placed it Under Contract a few weeks ago for her. Almost 46 years of ownership....and we stayed in touch for all of them.

And that is how valuable buying some one a drink or coffee or lunch can be my friends!! a Buck Fifty started all of this!!

As I finally close out this long long story...I am going to do two things. Remind myself to get a hold of some other old clients I haven't talked with for a while...and buy Doug and Annette, Marie and Paul, Jeff and Shauna, and Eric and Maria each a drink!

Until next time...always use a Designated Driver...even in rural Nebraska!!

PS.  Sorry Anna Banana...I went a couple words over your 300 minimum!! My bad!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Come to the Office Bar retirement party for Marie and I'll buy you an iced tea or Ice Cold Beer!!  or even coffee...

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has been Mike McCann...Nebraska Land Broker...Coming to you from the Farm Land of Nebraska and America!! Visit me at www.mikemccann.com to learn more about the agricultural and farm land for sale market. 

Many farms For Sale in Nebraska are not listed publicly...please call, text, or e-mail with your questions, wants, and needs!

Mike is your Ag, Farm, and Auction expert throughout Nebraska!

308-627-3700 and 800-241-3940 call or text me at these numbers or

mike@mikemccann.com for easy e-mail access!