it was a beautiful Easter weekend. The location... Pasadena, Maryland My clients were out of town on vacation and I was determined to have a successful open house for them. Even though I prescribe to my favorite books mentality of open houses are not the "silver bullet" sellers think they are. The book is Richard Courtney's Buyers are liars and sellers are too... A book I wished someone had given me when getting into this business of real estate and should be a pre requisite to the pre licensing classes.
But on with my story...
I arrive at my listing at 10am to get setup. I put the signs out, the balloons, the snacks and layout my flyers and sign in sheet. I'm ready to go right? NOT!!!! As I enthusiastically await the arrival of visitors, I notice a spot of fence that seems to be coming loose outside. Now I'm not trying to sound degrading to other agents but I consider myself a bit of a mans man for most things. I put my own signs up on my listings, I take my own photos and until the GPS became a common item, I never stopped to ask for directions. So, needless to say, I carry tools with me at all times as well as a jump-start unit so I never have to ask anyone for anything, EVER!!!
I run out to the SUV, grab my hammer, drill, nails and screws. and quickly get to work. I'm screwing and nailing everything in my sight that's loose... (there's a pun if I ever heard one). Next thing I know, I've made my rounds all the way around the yard and no ones even come to visit yet. AND, it's 2 hours into my open house! My clients call to check in just to see how things are going and I inform them that no one has shown up but I had managed to do some needed repairs to their fence. Can I just tell you how much my clients love me now!!! So they jokingly tell me that the lawnmower is full of gas and just inside the shed.
Not thinking that I'd actually take them up on it... I thought to myself, I have no visitors, I'm bored and there's an hour left til I call it quits. So what the hell? However, I'm dressed business casual and that just isn't the best attire for cutting grass. Then it hits me... I've got some gym clothes in my bag out in the truck.I've got shoes, shorts, but no shirt. But like my dad taught me... You have to make due with what you got. So I take off my clothes, change into my gym shoes and shorts and get to mowing. I finish the back and head to the front when all of the sudden... People show up and want to see the home. Man, it figures! 3 1/2 hours of no one and the last 20 minutes someone shows up while I'm sweaty and shirtless.
i apologize for my attire and tell them the story why I'm not dressed appropriately and we have a good laugh about it. But more importantly... They are impressed with my work ethic and have a home to sell and hire ME to sell it for them!
Dean Watkins
Associate Broker/REALTOR®
RE/MAX Executive
8432 Veterans Highway Suite A
Millersville MD 21108
443-324-7403 (Cell)
443-274-1944 (Office)
443-274-1945 (Fax)
www.MarylandHomePros.com
It's a Buyers Market... Don't Miss it!
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