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How Can You Recognize a Realtor® Who Negotiates Short Sales?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Broadpoint Properties Cal BRE #01324959

When I teach my short sale workshops, I always start by introducing myself-by explaining a little bit about my background, about my type-a personality, and about how I may be genetically predisposed to negotiate short sales.

One morning, while getting ready for the latest workshop, I had a look into my handbag. At that moment, I had a quick laugh because I thought the content of this handbag say it all.

While the contents of a woman's handbag are frequently not a matter of public discussion, I would like to share with you many of its contents and what they reveal about my daily activities-particularly my current stint into the short sale negotiation business.

My handbag contains the following fairly generic items: an iPhone which I adore and on which all of my contacts are stored, and my wallet. (As a side note, I have a business card scanner (CardScan). With this device I can scan business cards directly into Outlook and then automatically sync the information into my iPhone. What will they think of next?)

But, here's where it gets a little bit more interesting and revealing. I have a small bottle of Advil, and a package of Zantac 150. Anyone who is working more than just one short sale should always have Advil and Zantac on hand! After the third call to confirm an authorization that is still not in the system, a Zantac is definitely required.

Another interesting item that I have is a Spill Stopper (a what?). A spill stopper is the small, narrow plastic stopper that fits into the hole on the disposable coffee cup (so that it will not spill in the car). Any well-respected agent who negotiates short sales surely drinks lots and lots of coffee and, as such, could not live without the spill stopper.

The last item that I had in the bag on that day was the gym schedule. Life in the wacky world of short sale negotiations requires frequent trips to the gym in order to alleviate stress.

While some readers might have all of these items on hand no matter what, I thought the combination interesting and very revealing as it reflects my daily activities.

So, what do the contents of your bag (or your car) say about what you do?

Comments(82)

Amy Law
Alliance Properties - Crosby, TX

Thanks for the info. I just got my first short-sale offer to submit today on the buyer's side of the deal. I'm prepared though, as I already have most of those things in my bag.

Dec 30, 2009 11:31 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Melissa,  Congratulations on yet another feature!:-)  I found the contents in your bag very amusing!  I don't have Zantac or Advil -- usually gum, for minty fresh breath, keys, cell phone and wallet....oh and the several receipts which I need to sort out and place in the correct spot for tax time!

Dec 30, 2009 11:47 AM
Tim Krueger
Morovish Properties - Costa Mesa, CA

Great Info Gotta love those spill stoppers! Happy New Year!

Dec 30, 2009 11:52 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I loved hearing what everyone has in their bag or in their car. I'm thinking the one thing I might still need (if I am going to continue negotiating short sales) is a flask ;-)

Dec 30, 2009 12:01 PM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Evening Melissa,   Funny post.   Just finished a very stressful closing just one hour before a scheduled auction !   Yikes, if I were a drinking person...     Your gym idea sounds better.   Happy 2010 to you !

Dec 30, 2009 01:22 PM
Andrew Monaghan
The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ
CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

Love it.

Dec 30, 2009 02:59 PM
Jami Asanovich
Smart Concept Realty, LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
Doing the right thing, every time!

That was very cute! :) Unfortunately, my purse has become a "catch-all" and I really should downsize so I might actually be able to find things! 

Dec 30, 2009 03:20 PM
Bristol Restoration
Bristol Restoration, Inc 661-294-1812 - Santa Clarita, CA
When you need it done right and done right now!

Maybe you could market short sale purses with your contents included... and short sale manbags for the guys;)

Dec 30, 2009 03:32 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Melissa, I was just out shopping for a new wallet big enough to carry all the same stuff.  Nothing out there for a man. Guess I will take all the pain relief and antacid complete ( acts faster than the other one  ) with my vitamins on the way to the gym. Bought a clip hanger for the iPhone ( belt loop thingy) and other than that , ( did get a new reusable thermal lg. coffee mug from a title company valued at under $10 and has their name plastered all over it) and I think I am good to go.

Dec 30, 2009 03:42 PM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

The Spill Stopper - how cool is that.

As for the rest of the purse, that's pretty consistent with the bag in my car trunk, and I don't do many short sales at all.  Those are simply the tools one needs to get through the day with the vendors, the other agents, the traffic.  Hmmm, perhaps I need to develop a higher stress hurdle.

However, this does give me a renewed sense of appreciation for my short sale negotiators.

Dec 30, 2009 04:09 PM
John Alesi
Century 21 Award - Mission Viejo, CA
(Orange County California Real Estate)

On my person: Cell phone, pen, business cards, 3x5 spiral note pad

In my briefcase: Laptop, dig camera, Flip video cam, Palm TX, client files

In my car: GPS, eKey, tape measure, flash light, sunglasses (cause my future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!)

Dec 30, 2009 05:24 PM
Randall Sandin
Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC
843-209-9667 - Search for Charleston SC Real Estate

great post especially as short sales are not goign away

Dec 30, 2009 07:30 PM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Don't need the spill stopper, Melissa, but only 'cause I keep my refillable travel mug with me. It has a tight cover and a mountain-climber's latch so I can hook it on my belt, which I never have done...

Adorable post for the end of the year!

Dec 31, 2009 12:34 AM
Beverly of Bev & Bob Meaux
Keller Williams Suburban Realty - West Orange, NJ
Where Buying & Selling Works

How does the saying go..."only the strong will survive!"

At the end of 2010, all of still standing need to take a bow.

Dec 31, 2009 02:49 AM
Debra V. Edwards
edwards builders and realty, inc. - Cashiers, NC
Realtor/Builder, Cashiers, NC., Highlands, NC., Glenville

. Smart phone....check

. Supra lockbox key...check

. fanny pack w/ all of my world in it...check

. clipboard w/MLS sheets...check

. small as a palm of your hand....22...check

. digital camera...check

dog hairs, I'm sure...check

Dec 31, 2009 09:13 AM
Wendy Rulnick
Rulnick Realty, Inc. - Destin, FL
"It's Wendy... It's Sold!"

Melissa - Do Rolaids and assorted Tylenol floating around on the bottom count?  Good one!

Dec 31, 2009 09:20 AM
Catherine Kierzek
ReMax Lakeside - Muskego, WI
CDPE

What no candy? I can relate but no pills in my purses (I change purses all the time--I love them especially the organized ones and the different colors. ) The comfort food (a piece of candy) is what you're missing and breath, just breath. A couple of deep breaths and stretches relieve the stress during the day.   Have a great Happy New Year 2010

Jan 01, 2010 12:01 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Melissa, my purse:

iPhone (I would throw everything else away and keep my iPhone if I had to choose one thing),

credit cards,

receipts, and more receipts (these keep multiplying exponentially if I fail to clean said pocketbook on a weekly basis)

makeup bag w/ eyeliner, lipstick and gloss,

reading glasses (yes, this year I finally have to use them sometimes),

sunglasses,

small notebook,

anywhere from 0 to 10 pens (either abundance or dirth, don't seem to run with just one)

0 to 4 highlighters (they just seem to grow in my pocketbook!),

Execedrin Migraine or Excedrin Tension Headache are my drugs of choice for those over-the-top days (these reside in my car console)

business cards,

keys sometimes,

other people's business cards collected along the way,

random real money and coins (the coins live in the nether regions of my pocketbook and you can never find them when you need them)

flashlight key ring thingy somewhere in the bottom

A host of other items make appearances in my pocketbook, but these are the regulars - what a fun post, Melissa!

 

Jan 05, 2010 01:16 PM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

I carry all of the generic Realtor toys and a well stocked tool box. I'm always tightening something for a home owner.

Jan 05, 2010 03:24 PM
Dana Devine
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Apollo Beach, FL

card scan...is this a seperate scanner or are you talking about the iphone cardscan app?

Jan 11, 2010 10:40 AM