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Down Boy, Down!

By
Real Estate Agent with Real Living Real Estate Solutions

I recently saw another mother with her child on a leash. A leash. How out of control are we as a society that we now have our kids on leashes?Ok, time for a confession, my mom, had my brothers on leashes..ok, the proper term is anti runaway harnesses, but to you and me, leashes! Where do we go from here? Do the leashes have the locking and retractable cord on them. When Little Johnny goes too far, we lock the cord and yank back swiftly (to let him know who is in charge?) or should we just jump to the choke collar? What about no leash at all but we just electrify the fence and have a collar around the kids neck. If they decide to make a run for it...zap!

Now, are there children out there who are in 3 places at once and run at the drop of a dime...yes. Are their kids that suffer from ADHD? Yes...Is there a happy medium when it comes to using a restraining device for a child. probably. If the child could cause harm to themselves, then is it OK?

Should we be putting our buyers on a leash? Show them who's the boss? Take Control? Have a locking device in the car and then keep them inside until we want to let them out (at our listing).

How out of control are our buyers that they don't want to buy a home from us? After all, we have done everything for them, right? What have they done for us lately?

Comments (9)

Ted Komenda
Dunhill Group - Osterville, MA

I think it would be agreat idea to put buyers on a leash!  I'd love to snap it until they bought.

Ted Komenda

Sep 17, 2008 07:16 AM
Stephanie Kresl
Global Assist ~ Orlando Sales Division - Orlando, FL

Jim, that's just too funny!!! In my house, we say "strong willed child!" I'd wish not for a leash, but a magic remote control that I could mute, rewind, fast forward and one that would make them pick up toys, play nice with each other and eat their dinner... yes, that would be great!

Now, buyers can also be like defiant children when they don't listen to the advice about getting pre-approved prior to looking for a home, when they lie to us about whether they're working with another agent, and when they use us to get information about homes for sale (when their own agent should be helping them). Oh, the things I could do with a magic remote... alright now, back to reality!

 

Sep 17, 2008 08:30 AM
Brooke Shepherd
Keller Williams Clients' Choice - Colorado Springs, CO
Speak With Honesty~Act with Integrity

Jim,

That was a great blog, way to tie it into real estate!

Brooke

Sep 17, 2008 10:40 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

"had my brothers on leashes"  your brothers were on leashes but you weren't? 

We were shopping Saturday and a little boy maybe 3 years old?  came running out of the store with his mother in hot pursuit.  Mom was wearing a long dress and a veil... and calling for the kid in another language.  The two adults I was with tossed their two kids at me and  chased the kid with the lady and screamed in English "STOP THAT KID!"  I could not watch.  A man grabbed the kid just before he got to the street corner. 

Buyer leashes would be nice.

Sep 17, 2008 10:57 AM
Jim Hirschhorn
Real Living Real Estate Solutions - Orlando, FL
GRI, Real Living - Orlando

Ted, Ted, Ted, snapping a leash is against the Geneva Convention!

Stephanie, it's been done..."Click" with Adam Sandler!

Livia, I laughed at your comment when I read it. I often go on about something i have seen in the world and then it hits me in the end, oh yea, how can i tie this into Real Estate...

Maureen, Not quite sure what you are implying..Are you saying that I should be on a leash? Why, I never...ha ha. Your story sounds like a remake of Yours, mine and Ours with mayhem and kids running everywhere. Maybe the kid only understood english?

Sep 18, 2008 04:32 AM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Jim, leashes aren't a new thing.  Parents used them back in the 40's and 50's (and maybe earlier than that).  I think they used them to keep their kids in "tow."

Sep 18, 2008 09:44 AM
Norma Crouse
HER Realtors - Pataskala, OH
Norma Crouse

I have thought many times about putting my one daughter on a leash.  She is very similar to how my son was when he was young, if I looked away for a second he was gone.  One time he hid in the middle of a clothes rack and then ran to the front of the store and said he was lost.  He was so much fun let me tell you!

With buyers I think they are the same way, you look away for a second and they are gone.  I don't think they understand and I know it's my job to help them to understand that if they buy through another agent I get nothing for all the time I had spent with them.  I really think it's about relationships also.  If you have a good trusting relationship with your buyers they should understand, but I don't know even my family members sometimes don't get it.  

 

Oct 01, 2008 07:36 AM
Jim Hirschhorn
Real Living Real Estate Solutions - Orlando, FL
GRI, Real Living - Orlando

Thanks Norma. I knew an agent who used our Transaction Broker notice and re-wrote it and added a fee (He can't do that, but did it anyway) in the event that they didn't buy with him.

Oct 01, 2008 08:51 AM
Michael Wayne Jackson
Coldwell Banker - Novato, CA
Broker - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Novato

Great idea Jim. We randomly take our buyers out for a walk around the park instead of showing them homes.

Oct 01, 2008 09:35 AM