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WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT.. THINGS HAPPEN

By Valerie Osterhoudt

Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

February 22, 2009 07:29 AM

This morning, Sunday was a crazy time. It is the last day of school vacation and my sons wanted to make the most of it. So they slept in and didn't get up until 11:00am. At this point it didn't want to cook breakfast, then turn around and make lunch.. so I took them out to Mitchell's here in Cromwell, CT, the breakfast's there are phenomenal.

Any way, it is pouring rain, and instead of getting working on getting my hair presentable, I just graped and put on my *Realtor* hat (baseball cap).. and ran out the door.

Would you know when I was waiting for a table, Sister Susan (yes, a nun) asked me if I sold real estate, after seeing my hat. They agreed with the media and jumped on the bandwagon by saying that the real estate must be bad. When I told them that it IS picking up in this area, and that what the media broadcasts is general and you need to talk with a Realtor in your area to get the most up-to-date, acturate information, they thought this made sense. Next they said that there house wasn't worth more than 170k.. because this is what their attorney told them. When I asked if he had a Realtor license, they said no. Then how can he know for sure this is accurate, I inquired. I got them thinking, and they wanted my card to call me.

All of this happened because I put on my real estate cap on a rainy day. So, when you least expect it... something good might just happen.

valerie osterhoudt

FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE.. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

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Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

In the past I accidently dropped cards at some of the nicer restaurants. I got several calls because the people that picked them up read them.

Feb 22, 2009 07:35 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Jack.. I've left business cards with the bill in the slot where you would put a charge card. I like this idea.. I'll have try this too.

Feb 22, 2009 07:39 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Always stay open Valerie to possibilities and it sounded like good things were happening for you today.

Feb 22, 2009 07:42 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, don't you know by now that Attorneys know everything. Wouldn't it be nice if we stuck to what we do, and let others do their job.

I guess we are going to see you wearing that hat a lot more often ............ LOL

Feb 22, 2009 07:56 AM

William "Bill" and Karen Farragher

EXIT Blue Water Realty, Matawan, NJ 07747 - Matawan, NJ

SFR

Walking billboards, that what we all should be for our business. I always wear something that shows I am a realtor and I do real estate. I have been known to leave my cards everywhere, and I do get calls.

Feb 22, 2009 10:46 AM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Valerie, I a glad you struck up a conversation with a stranger but, What is a Realtor hat? (Good for you, you handled that very well)!

Feb 22, 2009 01:05 PM

Jamie Dumaine-Russell

RE/MAX Alliance - Branford, CT

Valerie - You just never know when the opportunity is going to come your way when we're out going about our day. Having that Realtor hat of yours was a bonus! :)

Feb 22, 2009 05:22 PM

Gary.. In all honesty the last 3 days things are opening up in real estate.. I hope it continues and spreads across the country.

Feb 22, 2009 09:42 PM

George. When I asked Sister Susan (yes a nun) if the lawyer also and a real estate license? I think this took her aback. She then started to realize that maybe he didn't know everything.

Yes, you will see me wear my *Realtor* hat more... especially on bad hair days. LOL.

Feb 22, 2009 09:44 PM

Bill.. You have realized what it took me a while to figure out. Wearing something stating that we are in real estate, is the BEST *soft sell* in the world. I'm trying to figure out some new ways to leave my business cards around. Newest way was when I go to restaurants and I get the bill, I put one or more in the slot where we put our charge card. It hasn't worked yet.. but you never know.

Feb 22, 2009 09:48 PM

Jane.. I wish I can remember who it was here in AR. They commented that they went to a baseball game, and that she wore a baseball cap that had *Realtor* on it. I thought this was a great idea. A few weeks back, I was in Boston and stopped by Quincy Market. I found a vendor that printed anything on baseball caps. Remembering this blog, I got one made up. I had *REALTOR* put on it, along with my real estate company. Hope this helps.

Feb 22, 2009 09:52 PM

Donna.. It is true, you never know when or where the next possiblity will come from. When you truly don't expect it.. things happen. I just hope they continue.. and that it is felt across the country.

Feb 22, 2009 09:54 PM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great story Valerie...doesn't it always seem to happen this way? When you least expect it indeed. Great job~

Feb 22, 2009 11:58 PM

Kristin... Thanks for the compliment.. let's see if anything comes of this.. I just like that people are taking notice and listening to realtors.. and not attorneys or the media.

Feb 23, 2009 05:37 AM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

Congrats Valerie! By staying open and putting it out there you got a positive response! :)

Feb 23, 2009 09:34 AM

Jared.. This is why I think this year's resolution is a must. Stay positive. Negativity just brings in the bad. It takes work to be positive, but look what could happen.

Feb 23, 2009 09:37 AM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

Valerie - Wonderful post and congrats, you never know do you?

Featured at: EXPRESS WITH WORDS AT ACTIVERAIN

Feb 24, 2009 02:16 PM

Robert.. You are right, you never know when something like this will happen.

Feb 28, 2009 07:35 AM

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT.. THINGS HAPPEN

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