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%, split among the Broker, listing Agent, and buyer’s agent. Sometimes we were grateful; sometimes we were grudgeful.
Later in my career, we paid $$$ for a desk, chair, and phone, and we kept the whole check. Most checks were still based on 7%, and you still split it. That big check was split between the Buyer’s Agent and the Seller’s Agent. Do some math on the selling price of houses in the 70s, and you might feel sorry for us, a little!
In the old days, the listing Agent who wanted to do what we called a CMA (comparative market analysis) would hot-foot up to the County Courthouse and spend a few hours hauling huge books down from the shelves, looking for “comps” to help the seller determine the listing price. Many agents guessed at a price with no idea whether it was accurate.
The Buyer’s Agent presented their contract (written by hand on legal-sized paper, with triple copies and blue carbons) to the Seller in person, with the Seller’s Agent present to advise them whether to accept or counter the offer. That was done by hand, with the terms written out. 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, most of us tried to get 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 let my clients choose which companies to use for inspections. I frequently used one called Phoenix Pest Control. The big joke amongst the Realtors was jokingly calling it Penis Pest Control. That day, I had already negotiated several contracts and was tired. I told her she could pick any pest company she wanted. She asked who I thought, and I said, Penis Pest Control has 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.
Many agents 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 and didn’t give a damn about his or anyone else’s clients; 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, you could tell which houses were built by him because there was no snow on the 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. We were laughing, joking, and one guy asked me if I knew a guy; he named him. 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, so we went outside to enjoy the huge flakes falling. I headed for my car, waving goodbye. They had a beautiful green lawn with logs embedded around it. It 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, I landed on my ass on their lawn. Never drank even a sip again with clients, unless it was at a restaurant after the sale.
Remind me to tell you about my favorite restaurant sometime…..
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Hope your day is filled with fun and love. See you next time…
💜