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Accidentally Rolled into a Builder

By
Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809
roller blades clipart

I have had a great day today!  So, I took advantage of Black Friday and went and bought some roller blades.  As soon as I got home, I decided I had to try them out.  Yes, I'm crazy, as the last time I had roller bladed was about 17 years ago and that was only for about 5 minutes!  I got all strapped in, 10 minutes, and rolled out the door.  Boy, are my streets hilly!! (yes, this is a real estate story so keep reading)

I'm going the last stretch to head home, and I'm trying to figure out the brakes, since it's a heal brake and not a toe brake like the good ol' roller skates!  I'm swinging my arms every which way trying to keep my balance as I passed a house on the market with 3 of the workers standing there looking at me (new home).  I joked from the street that I was their entertainment for the day.  All of a sudden, one guy starts giving me pointers on what to do and this and that.  He was very nice.

He turns out to be the builder of the house!!  He's building three houses in the neighborhood on the final three lots.  He tells me that it's his sister-in-law who asked him to build the houses and it's a friend of the sister who has them listed, though he doesn't really work this area.  I told him I would "skate" home and get him my cards in case they wanted to make a change to someone who does work the area.  Skaters clip art

When I get back, he asks if I work in Rowlett, which is a suburb near the lake and about 10-15 minutes from me.  I told him yes since we keep our boat at that lake.  He tells me he's building 16 homes in a small community starting at $139k and that we need to go out next week to look at it and see how I can help him!!!

Did I just, potentially, get new business because I finally decided to go buy some roller blades??!!  That's amazing.  Plus, I brought him home to my husband so he could look at our plans for a covered patio.  I emailed him the architech plans and he's going to send me a quote by Monday!!

The day has been long thus far, but well worth it!!

Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Hey- I'm glad that worked out!

If you ever REALLY want to have some fun, try the real roller blades -   5-wheel speed skates, no brakes. THAT"S fun!

Nov 24, 2006 06:04 AM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

great story.

maybe i will skateboard by and drop off some business cards. LOL

 

Nov 24, 2006 06:20 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

5 wheels??!!  No brakes??!! You're kidding, right?!! 

At this point, I much prefer the traditional roller skates with the toe brake.  I'm so sore already, I can't imagine how sore I'll be in the morning.

Nov 24, 2006 07:24 AM
Marc Blasi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Hi Donna-

Nope! I'm very serious - they're extremely fast - they're the road version of ice speed skates.

Nov 24, 2006 09:16 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Great job Donna. Maybe some magnetic signs to put on your back side while skating. You might be on to something here.
Nov 24, 2006 10:01 AM
Sue Melhorn
The Bean Group - Dover, NH
Licensed in NH, ME and FL!
You go girl...maybe you should get out those skates more often!!  Seriously, good luck!!  I hope it all works out for you.
Nov 24, 2006 11:46 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Good business is where you find it........ a quote from RoboCop......

:-D

Nov 24, 2006 03:32 PM
Derek and Mariana Wagner
The Artisan Group- Keller Williams Premier Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
The Artisan Group - Colorado Springs REALTORS®
I got myself a pair of "old school" Rollerskates (rollerblades scare me) from the local rink ... I LOVE to roll around my neighborhood and MAN! I meet all kinds of people. People sure are friendly when you are rolling down their street and waving!
Nov 24, 2006 04:03 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Forget the sign on your back, just wear a t-shirt or golf-shirt with "Ask Me About Real Estate: on the back.

See - now when you roller blade you can charge it off to Prospecting Expense. 

Nov 25, 2006 12:04 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

I don't know how magnetic strips would stick to my backside since I don't think my arse is made out of any metal for the magnets to stick to, but the shirts saying something about real estate makes sense!

I eyed the regular roller skates for a few seconds and I thought really hard about buying those instead, but I just told myself, "Donna, you're here to buy rollerblades, so just buy them!"  I listened to someone for once!!

Nov 25, 2006 05:15 AM
Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
One of my favorite affirmations...Because my steps are ordered, Im always in the right place at the right time.
Nov 27, 2006 12:13 AM
Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate
I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time too, but I could just imagine myself on rollerblades.  I'd plow down the builder and his wife, roll over their feet before I'm done and fall flat on my back at some point.  I think I'll stay away from this listing strategy!
Nov 27, 2006 01:55 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator
I just wanted to give an update that I actually met with the builder today to take a look at what he has.  The brother is very reluctant in listing them in the MLS, but offered me 4% on anything I have buyers for.  I posted an ad on Craigslist this afternoon for one of them and got a response in less than an hour!  I'll go over on Friday and take some pictures that I can send to her (not going out tomorrow with the crazy weather).
Nov 29, 2006 10:17 AM