Don’t get me wrong, in the old days, we Realtors worked damn hard for our money, but it was fun! Most didn’t receive huge checks. Back then, the commission was sometimes still 7%, but it was split among the Broker, Buyer Agent, and Selling Agent. Later in my career, we paid $$ for the use of a deck, chair, and phone, and we kept the whole check. It was still 7% if you were doing a good job, and that big check was split between the Buyer’s Agent and the Seller’s Agent. Sometimes gratefully, and sometimes grudgingly.
The listing Agent hot-footed up to the County Courthouse and spent a few hours hauling huge books down from the shelves, looking for “comps” to help the seller determine the listing price.
The Buyer Agent presented their contract (written by hand on legal-sized paper, with triple copies and blue carbons) to the Seller in person, with the Agent present to advise them to accept or counter. That was done by hand-writing the terms. Hopefully, the Selling Agent was knowledgeable and worked to secure the best possible deal for the client. Unfortunately, many times the price was reached, for better or worse, for the client, because of personality and better persuasion. Still, it was often a good deal for all.
We all made faux pas, and one of my biggest was: I was helping a nice young woman sign her offer after the Listing Agent left; we had agreed on the price and terms. I always gave my clients the choice of which companies to use for the inspections. I frequently used one called Phoenix Pest Control. The big joke among the Realtors was that it was jokingly called Penis Pest Control. That night, I had already negotiated several contracts, and I told her she could pick any pest company she wanted. She asked who I thought, and I said, Penis Pest Control had done a good job for my clients. She laughed until she nearly fell off her chair, and I was looking for a hole to crawl through.
There were many agents who should not have been in the business for various reasons. One guy was so unliked, not because his name was Glasscock, but because he was a thoroughly miserable person; he was called Brittledink behind his back and sometimes to his face.
There was a well-known builder and Broker who built many houses, and in the winter, on a drive, you could tell which houses were built by him because there was no snow on his roofs! Translation: very thin attic insulation.
Another of my faux pas! Delivering a housewarming gift to family who were toasting their new house with friends. Of course, it was my opportunity to pass out cards along with the gift. Everyone was laughing and joking when one guy asked me if I knew this guy. I am usually reserved and careful what I say to any client, but again my mouth didn’t listen to my brain, and I blurted, “I wouldn’t trust him with a clean old lady!” The whole room burst out laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes. There is never a hole in the floor to crawl into. I got away with it that time and kicked myself out as soon as I could.
Another time, I had listed and sold a house for a wonderful couple. I never drink with clients after learning my lesson with the Open House, but this time they insisted, and I couldn’t turn them down; they were so grateful. One beer couldn’t hurt, could it? So, I drank one can with them. We noticed it had started snowing, and we went outside to enjoy seeing the huge flakes fall. I headed for my car, waving goodbye. They had a beautiful green lawn with logs embedded around it. I looked so pretty with the big flakes of snow, and as I started for my car, I heard them say: “Be careful of the logs.” Just as my heel slipped off one, and I landed on my ass on their lawn. Never drank even a sip again with clients, unless it was at a restaurant.
Remind me to tell you about my favorite restaurant…..
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Hope your day is filled with fun and love. See you next time…