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The Saga of Ms Ivana Newhouse

By
Real Estate Agent with New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County

As Unlikely Is It May Seem... Once In A While... some buyers or sellers in the Fort Worth, Texas area actually use the services of a Realtor other than Karen Anne Stone.  This can often be a very trying experience for them... fraught with dismay and disappointment.  Here is a case in point:

Pictured below is Ms Ivana Newhouse.  Ms Newhouse had been looking for a new home on her own for quite a while.  Sometimes looking online, sometimes using the Sunday Paper and just driving around... she had not been having very much luck.  Then, she had the misfortune of using the Realtor team of Ilene and Ben Dover, who had only been in real estate for a short time.  The agents had been referred to her by her ex-boyfriend, who it appears was not really trying to do Ivana any favors.

Ms Newhouse was not pleased.Click For More InfoIt was an absolute nightmare !

Things did not go well for Ivana.  The title company lost her documents, so her closing was delayed.  Her loan program disappeared at the very last minute due to the ever-evolving sub-prime mess.  So, she ended up being stuck with a six-month ARM loan program funded by Klingon Mortgage Corp.  Although her loan officer from Klingon DID attend her closing, the only thing heard from him was mumbling something that sounded vaguely like "Git'r'done."

Her Home Inspector inspected the wrong house, the termite inspector sprayed her kids and the dog instead of the termites, and the pool inspector brought his bathing suit and a portable barbeque grill, and shows no signs of leaving. 

Ivana hired a mover who was unfortunately referred to her by her loan officer from Klingon Mortgage Corp.  At this present moment, Ms Newhouse has no clue what has happened to her furniture.

After she finally closed and moved in to her home, she was exhausted.  The next day she met her new neighbors and told them her long and tragic story. 

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT... her neighbors had sold their previous home thru Karen Anne Stone of RE/MAX Associates Realty, and had also purchased their new home using Karen Anne's services as well.  After hearing her tale of woe, and being a part of Karen Anne's By Referral Only "Relationship Base," they did as Karen had taught them.  They gently planted a "referral seed"... saying :

      "Ivana... the next time you're in a conversation with someone, and they mention that they're thinking of buying a larger or more expensive home... please keep Karen Anne Stone in mind."

Karen Anne Stone of RE/MAX Associates Realty can be reached by phone at (817) 929-3400, or by email at KarenAnneStone@gmail.com   or   FairyBlogmother@aol.com

[ Editors note:  The above story occasionally does happen.  HOWEVER... the names of the buyer, Ms Ivana Newhouse, and Realtors Ilene and Ben Dover are all FICTICIOUS... having been changed to protect either the innocent or the guilty, whichever the case may be. ]

Posted by

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no thanks - Harlem, MT

Job Well Done, Karen Anne! This is such a cute, yet true, blog. Thanks :) I have friends that just moved from Eugene to Austin. If they migrate to the DFW area, I will definitely insist that they call you.

Sep 09, 2007 07:58 AM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island

Karen Anne:  The people of Fort Worth are lucky to have THE Karen Anne Stone should a real estate need arise.  I pity all the folks that are outside of your market area, because they will only have the chance to possibly work with the 2nd best unless they want to move to your area.  Great post!  Much better than the   # 1 REALTOR ads and campaigns.  In fact, I would use this blog as a print ad if I were you.

Sep 09, 2007 10:49 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate
Well, I didn't want to read this but when I saw the cartoon I just glanced at it and before you know it I had read the whole thing.  You are truly fun to read and I look forward to many more in the future!
Sep 15, 2007 03:13 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Hi Bridget:  Thanks for your kind comments.  And... Austin is nice, but Fort Worth values are better, and Austin traffic is really bad.  If your friends end up this way, I promise to take excellent care of them.  Thanks for thinking of me.

Hi Adam:  I love your kind comments... thank you.  And, coming from you... they're extra-nice.  Use it as a print ad ?  Lemme think about that... but, I admit, it would be fun to do.

Hi Diane:  Thank you so much for your kind words.  I had fun writing it.  And, yes, reading, AND writing fun stuff is a nice way to de-stress.  It's just my somewhat warped sense of humor coming through.

Sep 15, 2007 08:33 AM
Christine Melcher
Fifth Third Bank - Brunswick, OH
The Loan Lady

Great Blog, LMAO! Liked the bit about the mortgage guy, have you seen the capital one commercial with the monkey?  Love the part when she asks about the fees and he mumbles oh those dont worry about them they're just normal and the end where they boast a rate below prime..great!

Thanks for looking at my global warming blog we can only keep doing our part as individuals.

Sep 16, 2007 12:54 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Hi Chris:  Yeah, the Capital One ad with the monkey on the woman's back is cute.  But... yikes... Klingon Mortgage ??   What's in your phaser ?

It was my pleasure to comment on your global warming post.  If we don't take care of our Mother Earth, how will She take care of us ?          Karen Anne

Sep 18, 2007 01:34 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Do you think these things up yourself?

You are FABULOUS Karen Anne!  Simply fabulous!

Sep 23, 2007 04:40 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Hi Joslyn:  You are being very, very kind with your comment.  Thank you.

When I opened up the email to read the comment, I just started smiling so hard my cheeks started to hurt.  That's about the nicest thing I've heard in a very long time... thank you again !

Do I think these things up myself ?  ABSOLUTELY YES !  Not borrowed from anywhere, not a story overheard in the ladies room... no ma'am.  You heard the camera commercial saying... "From The Mind of Minolta ?"  Well... this stuff really does come from my own mind.  Now... when I think of it is another thing.  Sometimes in the shower... sometimes on the poddy (TMI)... sometimes while driving.  My only challenge is remembering it until I can get to a keyboard so I can write it down.  Take care, Joslyn...    Karen Anne

Sep 23, 2007 05:06 PM
Nick and Joslyn Solomon
Century 21 Moline Realty - Cambridge, MN
The Solomon Team - Century 21 Moline Realty, Inc.

Karen Anne - I can completely relate to the remembering it part.

I have always written a lot, and in the last ten years I have focused on novels more than anything.  I have so many ideas, and they always hit at weird times. (Shower, stoplights, McDonald's drive-thru...)

I actually used to carry a voice recorder in my car, and would grab it whenever I had an idea and start talking away.  That worked very well, and perhaps I should invest in another one. 

Okay, I'm yawning so hard I'm crying.  I must go to sleep.  Harold is already curled up and hogging the blankets - and it's warm here tonight!

Sleep well!

Sep 23, 2007 05:20 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Joslyn:  Maybe I'll have to invest in one of those small digital recorder thingies.  But, this is a warning.  It just might result in some very "interesting" blog posts.  I warned ya.   Thanks for commenting, Joslyn... you sleep well, too !             Karen Anne
Sep 23, 2007 05:51 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
Karen Anne - This is a cute post.  Thanks for sharing it.  For some reason, I thought you were a veteran here at AR.  I started in early August, as did Adam.  You are the only person who can rival us with sheer length of comments.  Keep up the good work!  By the way, I love the "fairyblogmother" email address.
Sep 26, 2007 07:03 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Wow, Jason:  What a kind thing to say.  No, I started Active Rain on August 21, 2007.  That was right after gettig back from the By Referral Only Main Event in Reston Virginia. 

It was there that I very briefly met Susie Roscoe from Tampa.  Active Rain was mentioned on something she gave me.  I drove back to Fort Worth, took a peek at A/R, mulled it over for a day or two, and then joined.

So, that makes it about five weeks here... fumbling around in the dark.  And, to be put in the same category as you... and Adam and his incredible stuff... you flatter me... but thank you.     Karen Anne

Sep 26, 2007 07:19 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Adam and I were talking about challenging each other to write longer and longer comments, or to attempt to write longer comments than the posts we were reading.  Check out my featured post from today for a sample of us dueling with our "supercomments" (make sure you read his and my response to him):

Are you helping your clients through the maze, or are you a stumbling block?

I think you of all people will appreciate this.

Sep 26, 2007 07:21 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Jason, by the way:  You mentioned length of blog post comments.  I have noticed that some of my comments are longer than many posts.  Scroll up about two-thirds of the way and see for yourself with my comment to Susie.   I bet I could give the two of you a run for your money... as it were.   LOL.   Hmmmm
Sep 26, 2007 07:23 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Sorry if I said that.  I was referring to COMMENT LENGTH rather than blog length.  Take a look at the link above if you have some time.

Sep 26, 2007 07:25 PM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties
Karen Anne very cute post!  What a great way to tie in your contact information.  I also thought you'd been on AR for a long time!  Congrats on your quick successes!!
Nov 04, 2007 10:36 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Sandy:  How nice of you to visit !  Yes, I enjoy being more than a tad goofy at times.  Actually, it is petty much the way I used to teach when I taught Junior High for nine years.  Thank you for your kind comments.
Nov 04, 2007 04:39 PM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties
Karen Anne I bet the kids loved having you for a teacher.  Beats the stuffy ones!!!! 
Nov 11, 2007 12:32 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Sandy:  I really loved teaching.  And in many ways, being a Realtor is pretty close to the same thing.  Sharing information, moving towards goals, and making dreams come true.  Thanks for your kind comment.
Nov 11, 2007 02:31 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTORĀ®

It was very kind of you to protect the identities of the guilty! :) You're such a hoot!

Oct 15, 2013 11:07 PM