One of the coolest and most useful fringe benefits of working in Real Estate is that we know and can recommend all kinds of service providers to our clients - everything from attorneys to contractors to lenders to stores who carry the right stuff at good prices. So while our companies don't offer paid sick leave, health insurance, paid holidays, etc., the benefit of these relationships is that we have this wonderful, vast pool of people to call on in our own times of need!
My story:
Last night, I came home from a lovely evening at the Merrymeeting Board of Realtors annual meeting where my Allen & Selig Realty office-mate, Jon Leaver, had just been installed as President-Elect of the local board. I guess this is another one of the fringe benefits of real estate- dinner with friends (but I digress). I rolled into the house around 8:15 pm and, while taking off my coat and dropping my purse, I noticed a strong fuel oil smell. Normally, I would just inform my husband and go on about my business, but OMG, George is out of town until next Tuesday! Jeez, I think the house might blow up while I'm sleeping! I call my husband who is apparently out partying in Norfolk and doesn't answer his cell. Am I over-reacting? Think, Terry, think . . . . what to do? I turn on the thermostat to get some heat - nothing. I go down in the basement and look at the beast - - smoke is coming out of the pipe with the flapper thing on it - - that can't be good but certainly explains the smell. Oh, look, the reset button is up. I push the button and jump back - the beast fires up but smoke also comes out from somewhere near the expansion tank. Give me a break! So, it's 8:30 pm now and I'm ready to hit the big red switch and leave home for the night.
But I don't do that.
I take advantage of the fringe benefits of working in Real Estateand I call my favorite furnace guy, Paul Smith. He came recommended to me and I have recommended him to others, including my husband. He is a local, independent service provider (not employed by an oil company) so he actually answers his phone when you call. I explain my plight and he pulls up my records so he knows what he has previously done to my furnace. He asks questions and walks me through a couple things on the phone. He says he can come over right away if I am that worried - - I don't want to disturb his evening so, after he re-assures me that the house won't blow up in the night, he schedules me for first thing this morning. He shows up at the appointed hour and takes care of it. And the best part: He will bill my husband!
You don't think about this stuff so much when you are taking care of everyone else, but if I wasn't in this business, I wouldn't know all these wonderful service providers and businesses. So, having these folks to call for my own personal life is definitely one of the best fringe benefits of Real Estate.
Contact me today for help with all of your residential real estate buying and selling opportunities in Mid-Coast Maine and inland towns. Search the Entire Maine MLS at: www.BathRealEstateToday.com
Terry Driscoll, REALTOR at Allen & Selig Realty, 15 Vine Street, Bath, Maine, 207/443-2200
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