funny story: To Sell My Home - I'll Throw in the Garden Hose
- 12/04/11 05:46 AM
Throw in the Garden Hose A few years ago, I accompanied one of our associate brokers, Tim Mahon, on a listing appointment to look at a townhome in Allentown, the pricing of which would be relatively easy because several had recently sold in the neighborhood. The owner, Randy, met us at the front door and walked through the home, noting that it was fairly typical of the townhomes in the neighborhood. But when Tim explained that the house would likely sell very close in price to the next door neighbors, Randy’s mood changed.
He was offended that we would … (6 comments)
funny story: A Warrant for My Arrest
- 11/17/11 01:30 PM
One of my real estate offices is located in a suburban township in Pennsylvania, which taxes us in a variety of ways. One of those taxes is called a “business privilege tax” and we receive it by mail. Recently, having received two copies of a bill, I paid one in the mistaken assumption that I simply received the same bill twice. In reality, they were billing twice, once as a company, and once as an independent contractor because, although I am President of the company, a requirement placed on real estate agencies in the state is that all licensees are … (8 comments)
funny story: A Challenging First Sale
- 11/17/11 01:27 PM
Over the years, I’ve read a lot about the great American work ethic, but I have yet to see signs of it in the general population. Perhaps I’m being cynical, but I believe the reason “get rich quick” books, audio programs and workshops sell so well is that most people are looking for a way to get around the hard work and long hours that lead to individual success.
The field of real estate sales is a classic example of this. In most areas of the country, a person simply has to take a course or two … (0 comments)
funny story: Half the World is Crazy... the Other Half is Just Plain Nuts!
- 11/15/11 02:21 PM
As realtors, we never quite know what kind of situation we’re going to find ourselves in until it’s too late. A few years ago, I was called to estimate the value of the home of a couple who were divorcing. Stepping onto the porch, I discovered that someone had nailed a doll to the door, and made it more graphic, not only by sticking a nail through its neck but by streaking the body of the doll, as well as the front of the door, with red paint. People never fail to surprise me.
Pat, a real estate agent who … (4 comments)
funny story: Hidden in the Attic
- 11/15/11 01:10 PM
During the course of the last decade, most real estate companies conducted so-called caravans, by which I mean that all the realtors in any given office inspect all the new listings that have come on the market over the prior seven days, in order to acquaint them with the company’s current inventory. Many companies still do this although, in my opinion, it’s a wasted effort since the agents could be more usefully employed actually marketing the available homes. ____________________________________________________________________________
Life Lesson: If Someone doesn't want you to visit... there might be a good reason!
funny story: Selling a home at a busy intersection
- 03/27/10 12:14 PM
Selling a Home at a Busy Intersection (edit/delete) Selling a Home at a Busy Intersection...By Loren Keim (Excerpt from Loren Keim's Book - "Life Lessons... from the back seat of my car") Some of the unwise things that home owners say when they're trying to sell their home constantly amaze me. Sellers, being emotionally invested in their property, are often their own worst enemy, making statements that absolutely cost them a sale. As an example, a few years ago, I had a young couple named Stacey and Dennis, looking at a property along a very busy road near Whitehall, … (8 comments)
funny story: Selling a Home at a Busy Intersection
- 03/14/10 04:24 PM
Selling a Home at a Busy Intersection...By Loren Keim (Excerpt from Loren Keim's Book - "Life Lessons... from the back seat of my car") Some of the unwise things that home owners say when they're trying to sell their home constantly amaze me. Sellers, being emotionally invested in their property, are often their own worst enemy, making statements that absolutely cost them a sale. As an example, a few years ago, I had a young couple named Stacey and Dennis, looking at a property along a very busy road near Whitehall, Pennsylvania for the third time, a house that was … (3 comments)
(Excerpt from Loren Keim's Book - "Life Lessons... from the back seat of my car") Some of the unwise things that home owners say when they're trying to sell their home constantly amaze me. Sellers, being emotionally invested in their property, are often their own worst enemy, making statements that absolutely cost them a sale. As an example, a few years ago, I had a young couple named Stacey and Dennis, looking at a property along a very busy road near Whitehall, Pennsylvania for the third time, a house … (2 comments)
funny story: A Funny Real Estate Story about Client Fears
- 03/14/10 04:14 PM
Funny Real Estate Story - Fear of Dolls (Excerpt from Loren Keim's Book - "Life Lessons... from the back seat of my car") Out of the thousands of clients I've assisted in selling a home over the years, I've only twice been asked by home owners not to show their home to people of some protected class or minority. In both cases, I carefully explained that we cannot exclude anyone from viewing, offering on, or purchasing their home because it would be discriminatory. Besides being illegal, it's wrong, and I won't do it. Oddly enough, in both cases, the … (2 comments)
funny story: The Eldorado and the Police
- 03/14/10 04:12 PM
The Eldorado and the PoliceBy Loren Keim (Excerpt from Loren Keim's Book - "Life Lessons... from the back seat of my car") About twenty years ago, when I was just beginning in real estate, I had invited friends of mine who were thinking of investing in property to my house for dinner, along with my girlfriend, after which we drove in my car, a big Cadillac Eldorado, over to the office to go through the Multiple Listing System. By the time we were finished, it was quite late, and none of us were particularly pleased when, having piled back into my … (0 comments)
funny story: Funny Real Estate Story - Fear of Dolls
- 03/14/10 05:22 AM
Funny Real Estate Story - Fear of Dolls (Excerpt from Loren Keim's Book - "Life Lessons... from the back seat of my car") Out of the thousands of clients I've assisted in selling a home over the years, I've only twice been asked by home owners not to show their home to people of some protected class or minority. In both cases, I carefully explained that we cannot exclude anyone from viewing, offering on, or purchasing their home because it would be discriminatory. Besides being illegal, it's wrong, and I won't do it. Oddly enough, in both cases, the … (13 comments)
funny story: A Halloween Story - "Fear of Ceramic Dolls"
- 12/07/09 02:01 AM
Hi, I seem to have regular requests for certain stories I tell at workshops and half-day seminars. One of the more frequently requested ones lately has been the Ceramic Dolls story. If you haven't heard it, it's interesting and shows how crazy this business can sometimes seem. It starts with a young woman who wants to buy a home, but who has an unusual fear... Anyway, the story, clipped from one of our "Ultimate Real Estate Prospecting Workshops" is available on YouTube. The link is below. Thanks! Loren Keim www.RealEstatesNextLevel.com
Throw in the Garden Hose A few years ago, I accompanied one of our associate brokers, Tim Mahon, on a listing appointment to look at a townhome in Allentown, the pricing of which would be relatively easy because several had recently sold in the neighborhood. The owner, Randy, met us at the front door and walked through the home, noting that it was fairly typical of the townhomes in the neighborhood. But when Tim explained that the house would likely sell very close in price to the next door neighbors, Randy’s mood changed. 
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