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Now that is loss prevention!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with WHISPERING PINES REALTY 20398180

I had an afternoon appointment today, (don't you just love working daylight hours), and the couples 9 year old daughter, came in from playing.  I was introduced to her and she asked me a few inquisitive questions. ( Her parents tried to stop her, but I told them that is was all right),  Then out of the blue, she asked if I would like to hear a joke.

I could see the horror in the parents eyes, but I told her, YES, I would love to hear a joke! And she continued.

A man went into a Pet Shop and bought 2 Goldfish.  He name them "one" and "two".  The reason for the names was, that if "one" died...he would still have "two"!

Well needless to say I laughed pretty good, and thanked her for joke and off she went to play.  The parents tried to appologize, but, I stopped them.  "It is important that she feel comfortable when I am around so that the move is easy on her also.  Besides...I am a sucker for a kid with a joke!"

Don't ignore the kids!  They grow up and buy and sell houses also.  The better repore you have with a "family" the better the chance of referrals...even from the kids!

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Good for you.  You'd make a good buyer's agent. 

I welcome the little ones when parent(s) are touring for a family home. 

I give them jobs, lights, doors, collect brochures, etc. 

Makes for a much more pleasant tour.

 

Dec 29, 2008 09:38 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

William ~ That's a great story and you're a nice person for listening to her joke.  Your story reminds me of when we were planning my daughter's Sweet 16 several years ago.  It was, apparently, the thing to have the party at a catering hall.  The people were very attentive and helped us do what needed to be done and my husband couldn't understand why they did Sweet 16's.  Before the man at the catering hall could even answer, I told my husband "today it's a Sweet 16, but in a few years she's a bride."   The man nodded and agreed, and I thought it was a smart move on the part of catering halls. 

Dec 29, 2008 09:38 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I always get a big kick out of the children that "help" me with listing appointments and showings. I've had some pretty cool ones around, but of course I've had some hard to handle ones around too.

Dec 29, 2008 10:37 AM
Barbara Delaney
Park Place REALTORS, Inc. - Roanoke, VA

Dear William,

Smart move! My pet peeve is agents who give all the attention to one spouse and not the other. One may be quiet, but they may be the decision maker.

The worst for me is to see an agent ask the male, if he is a veteran, and not the female. Sudden death, if she is the Vet and not him.

I have always asked this question early on, "Are either of you Veterans?".  I asked one couple. The wife piped up, "I'm not, but George has been married before!"

And so it goes....

Happy New Year!

Barbara

Dec 29, 2008 10:45 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Kids are great and are totally honest.  I was thinking that by the parents response the kid was going to tell an off colored joke to embarrass them.  Your a sucker for a joke, admit it.

Dec 29, 2008 11:09 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Lenn...Thank You for your comments.  I view them Highly.

Kathy...Don't argue with the client.

JL...you never know what kids will come up with...I had one sell me a frog on time for a quarter.

Barbara...Never assume!

Lyn...You are right...I am a sucker for a joke, from anyone!

Dec 29, 2008 01:34 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

William,

I have always looked at kids and pets as being two important things to remember when you have a listing appointment.  Pay them attention up front and you cannot go wrong.

Dec 29, 2008 10:14 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Bill...

I thought that was a pretty good joke for a child ... and it made her happy to tell it to you!

Dec 29, 2008 10:19 PM
Harold "Hal" Place
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

Morning William,

We don't often have the opportunity to work with young ones. Our community is an age restricted one and most often those purchasing don't bring their grand children. We have to make time for that age bracket elsewhere. Thankfully I have four grandchildren that keep me active and very busy listening and watching. Hopefully they will tell their friends grandparents I am in the Real Estate business. LOL

Hally New Year!

Dec 29, 2008 11:56 PM
Caren Wallace
Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR
Portland Caren Real Estate

All the little children are our future, we have to nurture their interaction, because that is how they become productive adults! You were a great agent for giving her the stage! Kudos!!!

Dec 30, 2008 12:01 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Kids and pets . Just make sure they know neither are allowed to be home for showings!!  LOL

Dec 31, 2008 11:45 AM
Dona Reynolds
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stein Summers - Saint Joseph, MO
St. Joseph MO

William~Perfect thing to do for not only the child but the parents also. 

Children are IMPORTANT too!

Have a safe and Happy New Years.

Dec 31, 2008 12:07 PM
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

Bill I sat with a cat in my lap during a listing presentation.  I know it helped win over the wife who was very distant at first!

Jan 03, 2009 05:26 AM