So I broke down and hired someone a few weeks ago. She did such a good job, I sent her to "real estate school" to learn something. Now that she knows how to sleep in a chair with her eyes open and choose C when in doubt, it is time to hit he streets. Meet the peeps, walk the dirt.
Lauren, the Landlord in Training or LLIT, arrived today ready to work. She was all prepared and dressed to kill. Sweater set, low rider clam digger pants, 4 inch heals, pink cell phone.
On the other side of that coin was me. Dressed to kill alright. Cargo shorts, t-shirt, gloves, .45 automatic, police style flashlight and work boots.
She looked at me and I looked at her. "Let's go" I said. "Where?" she asked. "Hit the streets, meet the peeps, walk the dirt" I say.
OK, so she is pretty much not dressed for this. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
So we have 5 new listings that we need to view, report on and forward listing agreements. Thank you, only five junkers today. LLIT probably couldn't handle more on the first day.
Off we go.
Property 1 - 3BR, 1BA Ranch on slab. Front door unlocked. Holes in every wall. All plumbing ripped out. Toilet smashed with a bat or something. Furnace sitting near rear door. The truck must have been full or they would have taken this in the first load. LLIT is not phased. She is just taking pictures.
Property 2 - Oooops. Still a tenant. No thanks Brandeldean, neither of us smoke that brand. Thanks for the offer though.
Property 3 - Can't get in, but the smell can get out. Time to call Dumpster Mike.
Property 4 - Back door open, funk in the kitchen and we meet a new friend. We will call him Dave. As I walk up the stairs, I sort of see a lump of cloth. Looks like a comforter. Yep. That was a comforter. I should really call it a "scare the crap out of LLIT orer" Dave sticks his head out and I feel a tickle on my butt. OK, LLIT this is not the time to flirt. I'm carrying on a conversation and she is reaching for my gun! Uh, Dave..You gotta go. We leave. Maybe Dave does too.
Property 4.5 - Added stop. I see a new listing in an area that I want to buy in. 3500SF, all brick rehab job. Probably worth $500,000-$650,000 after I am done. Long and short, we get in and are looking around. Property is all boarded so it is like a cave in there. So we hear it. "Hey, what are you doing in here?" I freeze and move the flashlight around. I see it. It is stainless steel and has a hand attached to it. Knife? I don't know. Gun? Maybe. Crackhead? Odds are good. "I'm from a couple doors down" it says in the dark. Yeah and that is making me feel real good, I think. Ends up that Roy as in my boy Roy is a lawyer who works down the street and wanted to see the inside of the place. Little does anyone off the Rain know, but I almost put a new hole in LLIT's new buyer client !!!!
Property 5 - a double that has a fan in the window. All I know here is that the lady next door is "fitten to be ha this summmm and wannns the faaaa". LLIT needed a translation. Yes. Rookie.
So, let's sum up her first day. High heels, we made a new friend Dave, one new listing smells like Chubacka after a swim in the pond, I almost shot our newest client and I have a buyer for a cheap fan, as long as the fan is free.
Richard F. Kruse is the President of Columbus, Ohio based Gryphon USA, Ltd. (www.gryphonusa.com). The Gryphon Organization includes Gryphon Asset Management providing receivership and consulting services in the distressed marketplace, United Country Ohio Realty & Auction Group (www.ucohiorealty.com & www.ucohioauctions.com) providing real estate brokerage and auction services throughout Ohio and OnlineAuctionUSA.com (www.onlineauctionusa.com) providing commercial asset liquidations from the Midwest to East Coast.
United Country Ohio Realty & Auction Career Opportunities Available. Call 614-885-0020 x 17