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A Typical Saturday in the Life of A Realtor - Madison MS

By
Real Estate Agent with Front Gate Real Estate Broker 11085

The day began as a typical Saturday. Out of town buyers were here with the sole purpose of finding a home. It rained on us the preceding day, so I put my boots in the back of the truck, knowing we would be in "new construction" territory and the boots could come in handy.

Just as we arrived in the neighborhood, the heavens opened and the largest rain drops ever seen pelted down on us. 

Driveways hadn't been poured, so accessing the house was an uphill climb. We attempted our ascent through muddy terrain by traversing rocks, scrap lumber, and sparse grassy areas, slipping and sliding part of the way.

By lunchtime, we accomplished what we set out to do. The buyers chose the house they wanted and we went our separate ways. They were going sight seeing while I was going to write their offer.

Except, as luck would have it, I didn't made it home. I was halfway there when I found myself stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire. It was a 30 minute wait for the tow truck and another three hours at the dealership buying two new tires.

"They" say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I leave you with this...

 

Flat TireMuddy Boots

 

The moral of the story... when showing new construction, don't leave home without an extra pair of boots, and be careful where you park!

Comments(17)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Pat - more from the chapters not included in the new agent training guide...   

Jul 20, 2021 02:25 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

It is amazing how conditions can be dramatically different while showing property.  I remember a similar situation several years ago, when my clients and I were pelted with hail when returning to our cars, after a showing.

Jul 20, 2021 04:42 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

It's rained here for days. It drains rapidly but really gets in the way of show new homes.

Jul 20, 2021 07:12 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Pat- oh what a day you had!!! And good for you for being prepared!!!!! 

Jul 20, 2021 04:55 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

It was a sloppy day. I also had clean towels and trash bags in the car. You never know what you'll encounter while showing new construction.

Jul 20, 2021 07:17 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

And some where there's a person thinking how glamorous a real estate career can be and will start looking to get licensed.

Jul 20, 2021 05:56 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

Absolutely! I almost added that to my post; that we love to look at pretty houses. :)

Jul 20, 2021 07:15 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Oh Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty - I can relate! My last sale was new construction and my shoes took a beating that first day it rained! And my clients weren't prepared either. Our plan was to stop at the Sales Office and talk and had no idea the new construction rep was eager to show and tell rather than sit in his office. Off we went following him in his big truck with giant tires. With our small, freshly washed compact cars we ended up in mud too! And of course, as your boots showed, it wasn't ordinary mud that washes off easily. What a GREAT and very relatable post!

Jul 21, 2021 04:30 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

If I'm showing new construction, I try to be prepared. If the direction changes during the middle of the tour, we would all end up with mud on our shoes and cars! I will say the first day with this couple I wasn't as prepared as I was on day two. :)

Jul 21, 2021 08:25 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty - you certainly need to be prepared which driving in a construction area.

Jul 21, 2021 04:40 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Pat... I sell lots of new construction and have for decades... so I know to be prepared. What a day you had... and that being said I always think that what is typical about a Realtor's day is that it's really never the same from one day to the next.

Jul 21, 2021 05:00 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

Two days are never the same in this business. You never fully know what to expect.

Jul 21, 2021 08:26 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What a day! And you're right about the boots and the parking (and the towels and trash bags!).

 

 

Jul 21, 2021 05:37 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Patricia sounds like good old Murphy's Law was working overtime!!!

Jul 21, 2021 01:35 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OH my gosh, I'm so sorry, Pat! The great news is you found them a home - and now you have two new tires too! Ha!

 

The very first day I took my new car out (a month or two ago), I was showing new construction and got a nail in my sidewall - BRAND NEW TIRE too! What made me sick was that I declined the tire warranty with the car!! That would have paid for itself with that tire replacement. So, I feel your pain!

Jul 23, 2021 03:13 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

Now that you mention tire warranty, I don't believe they offered it to me. I was so ready to get out of there, nothing else mattered at the time! Guess I'll find that receipt and see if I have a warranty. We need it in this biz.

Jul 23, 2021 03:21 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jul 24, 2021 06:41 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

I've been out for a while. I'm not familiar with this new group. Thanks for the feature!

Jul 25, 2021 08:40 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Pat. Can't say it any better than Michael Jacobs. Enjoy your day. 

Jul 25, 2021 05:27 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Since we specialize in rural properties, a pair of boots in the car is always a good idea. As for the flat tire, that's too bad, Pat. I'm sorry, not the most fun way to end a day. 

Jul 25, 2021 06:58 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

I so get this one Pat!  There have been a few times over the years that when showing new builds there was a chance I'd pick up a nail or whatever.  I figured out early on how to keep that from stop happening.

Jul 25, 2021 10:51 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

If there is a secret to avoiding a nail in the tire, I'd love to hear it. I was out today and parked in the middle of the road. :)

Jul 25, 2021 08:39 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Oh the stories we all have from this business. For sure, it is never boring.

Jul 25, 2021 08:05 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Absolutely! I knew what was going to happen & especially when you'd already had such a soggy day. I can't tell you how many times a construction site has trashed my tires.

Jul 26, 2021 09:24 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

So sorry about your mis-adventures, Pat. Hope things work out with the house for your buyers!

Yep, I have had a nail or two from constuction sites in my tires.

Jeff

Jul 26, 2021 01:55 PM