I have a confesion to make, it been almost 20 years sciense I last held an open house. Many of the mis-steps and discovery moments I experienced this past week end are common sense items for the active realtor and in hindsight I should have known them as well.
One my referral partners had the fortunate opportunity to land 4 new listings at the same time. Of course all of them expressed their desire for immediate results and wanted the marketing of their home to start yesterday. A few of her fellow realtors stepped to hold 2 home open over the week end and I volunteered to hold the thrid home open while she handled the last home.
My first mis-step was I failed to allow for enough time to set up the needed directional signs. This course lead to my being late to open the property.
Second the ground ws rock hard and even in my flat soled dress shoes it was nearly impossible to plant a few of the signs where I want to and thus I ws forced to compremise on spots where the dirt was soft enough. I spent nearly 45 mintues trying to hammer pound finesse the signs into concrete.
After running late I promptly opened the house and scrambled to disarm the alarm which I left the code in my car. While I clearly alerted the neighborhood to my presence the noise was just a bit rattling.
Of course the first of my two guests showed up as I am scrambling to shut off the alarm and a bit disorganized. I was able to pull out a crumpled quest sheet and have them sign in and allowed them to walk through the home.
After this client left I pulled out my laptop with the intent of getting some work done onlyh to discover I left my Verizon card at home and had no internet access. This obstacle was easly over come when I pulled out my blackberry and fired off several e-mails and a list of follow up calls, everything was good. I then realize not only had i left my laptop card at home and I failed to bring my cell phone charger. OH my Goodness, what else could go wrong? This about the time I decided to pull out my folding nylon chair only to discover my wife had taken it to the days events.
So here I stood in an empty REO home, no phone, no computer and no chair. Of course this would not be complete without mentioning its was over 100 degrees out with no wind.
Comments(1)