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Do I get hazardous duty pay for this?

By
Real Estate Agent with Latter & Blum Classic Homes & Properties

As if the job isn't stressful already, sometimes the inhabitants at a property make it a lot more difficult. Just last Wednesday, an agent in Indiana had a run-in with a horse while showing property. See Horse attacks real estate agent.

Bull in FieldI'm glad she's okay, but I can't help chuckling because it reminded me of my own crazy real estate experience with livestock. Before dawn one morning, I headed out to see an old farmer who was interested in selling some pasture land for retirement. He escorted me through a series of pens and fences to show me the acreage he wanted to sell, which held a single animal: one very large, very old, very ornery bull. From the moment we stepped through the gate, I knew that old bull didn't like me. He looked too worn out to actually make a charge, but he lumbered over to bump me aside with his head. The farmer cursed him and shoved him away and we talked while the bull continued to circle around to get to me. Meanwhile, a scrappy cur bounded in and took keen interest in my shoe and pants leg, tugging, chewing and dragging me along. We walked the land a ways, all the while being stalked by the bull and ignoring the dog shredding my hem.

When we stopped to review the paperwork in the field (at his insistence), I stepped back to lean against a fence while he read over the contract. The bull moved in, slowly but surely pinning me to the fence with his body, then finally stopped...standing on my foot. I couldn't budge him so I had to calmly ask the farmer to stop reading and help a city gal out.

I maintained my professionalism, ignoring my sore foot, torn pants and ruined shoe to finish the presentation!

Tricia Jumonville
Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX
Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

Aw, Michelle, he just wanted you to scratch his neck!  (We used to have a bull, Frenchie, a Murray Grey, who would stand with his head resting on my "baby shelf", my hip bone, while I gave him a neck rub.  Folks used to worry about his approach, too, and it wouldn't even occur to me that they were concerned because I knew he just wanted a scratchy-rub.) 

Now, llamas, they're something else again!  Irritable critters, in my experience. 

 

Nov 19, 2006 01:42 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I met an irritiable cat on Saturday morning. He chased me around the house hissing, growling and swiping at me. When my buyers got there he hid under the bed.

Horses and bulls? Too much.

Nov 19, 2006 05:38 PM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City
You just needed to whisper 'sweet nothings' in his ear.'
Nov 20, 2006 11:12 AM
Thomas "Tommy" Morgan
Latter & Blum Hometown Realty ERA Powered Licensed in MS. - McComb, MS
Latter & Blum Hometown Realty ERA Powered
Did you get the listing? That would be a lot of bull to deal with and not get the client!
Aug 22, 2007 04:22 AM
Pat Fenn
Marketing Specialist for CJ Realty Group/Cindy Jones Broker - Springfield, VA

Looks like you left AR awhile back.  Hope your business is still doing well.

Dec 06, 2012 09:22 PM