They who serve and protect will also check out open houses

"Here's the lock box code... I'll be there in about a half hour", were the instructions I received from the listing agent, who asked me to "open" his broker's tour today.  He was running a touch late, and wanted me to get the house open for any agents who might show right away.

[enter combo code]... click, the door opens... and I hear that familiar - beep, beep, beep -

"What is it?" I ask myself.  "Is a garbage truck backing up?"... "someone playing Playstation?"... or "maybe someone left the refrigerator door ajar".  It couldn't possibly be an alarm beeping, could it?  There's no way that my buddy, my pal, my office-mate would set me up and forget to tell me that there was an alarm on this house.

The cacophony that followed shortly thereafter proved me wrong... he did forget to tell me there was an alarm.  I stepped outside the house (the alarm was too noisy to even think)... and called the agent... "The alarm code." I calmly asked.

"Oh... yeah.... sorry.... 1-2-3-4" he said (code number made up to protect the protected).

I step back into the house.... 1-2-3-4 HOME, I press.... (the noise continues)... 1-2-3-4- HOME, again.   (blaring horns)...  1-2-3-4 dammit...  let's try the other way... 1-2-3-4 AWAY, and now 1-2-3-4- HOME.... nope... nuthing...

Meanwhile I have to step outside, again...  my ears are taking a beating...  I take a deep breath... cover both ears and head back inside... in staring carefully at the alarm pad... I notice that under the number "1", in tiny little mouse-type, is the nondescript little word OFF.  1-2-3-4 - OFF... (ahh... the noise abates)... although there is a strong residual ringing in my ears.

Just in time to introduce myself to Officer Lopez, and his partner as they arrive at the front door... (fortunately, guns holstered)... I had the Open House sign out front... alongside the CB For Sale Signpost... so I think they figured out what was going on... but they had to fill out a report... and I had to show them my Illinois real estate pocket-card and driver's license. I offered them some bottled water, or a sandwich (we were serving lunch)... they declined...

But they did have a look around the first floor... "Nice House" officer Lopez commented... "how much... $180,000???"   "Er... no,... $789,000" I mumbled.... his eyebrows went up... I thanked them for wasting their time... and they went their way, just as the listing agent sheepishly arrived to relieve me.

Ahh... such is the life of a professional Real Estate Agent.  All glitz and glamour.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate