In the Trenches captures the odd and funny incidents that invariably happen in real estate. Here are the stories submitted this month from real estate professionals all over the country. When you're done reading, submit your own story.
Sparkling Clean … but Sopping Wet
I was ready to impress as I drove to meet clients the day after Christmas. I wore a crisp suit and tie, and I had packages of information that I assembled for them as I planned out the day. I was running about 15 minutes early and was only a few miles away, so I decided to stop for a quick drive-through car wash at a gas station. When I reached the pay station box, I parked a little too far away so I had to partially open my door and lean through the window with one leg out the door. I swiped my credit card, pushed the buttons, drove into the carwash, and put my car in park.
But as the car wash started, I noticed water and soap seeping through top of the driver’s window. Panicked, I tried to close the window all the way but I accidentally lowered it instead. Water and soap entered the car with force, spraying everywhere.
When the car wash ended, I looked at my clock. I only had 10 minutes to make it to my appointment on time and I had a completely soaked suit and hair — not to mention soggy car seats. I asked myself: Should I go home and change and be late, or make it to the appointment on time looking less-than-presentable? I decided to go to the appointment on time in “as is” condition. My clients and I spent hours talking and going over notes — and laughing. They appreciated my dedication and they knew I would go any distance for them.
— Brian Burns, sales associate with Century 21 Metro Alliance in Maricopa, Ariz.
Directionally Challenged
I was driving to a showing and was fairly clear about the directions but I couldn't remember on which side of the street the home was located. During a brief conversation with the seller to confirm the showing, I asked if the house was on the north or south side of the street. The seller replied, “It depends which way you're coming from.” After I hung up, I couldn’t help but have a good laugh.
— Charles White, broker and president of Kendall Real Estate Group Inc. in Ballwin, Mo.
What Not to Wear
I was showing a house to new buyer clients that I didn’t know very well. As we were leaving, they said they would drive over to the next home and wait for me. After they left, I was locking up when the handle to the storm door went into my back pocket. When I turned to walk away, it ripped out the seat of my pants — the hole was so large there was no way I could possibly conceal it. As I frantically paced around my car, I noticed a pair of pants in my back seat where I had left them from a recent trip. I quickly went inside to change. When I came out, I realized my clothes weren’t even close to matching (a green plaid shirt and brown plaid pants). I decided to go ahead and show the next house. Lucky for me, my clients were more concerned about finding a home than they were about my wardrobe malfunction — they never said a word about it!
— Kelly Clevenger, sales associate with Coldwell Banker, Wallace & Wallace in Knoxville, Tenn.
Neighbors by Any Other Name
Five years ago, a friend who’s retired from real estate called to say that she had recommended me to her next-door neighbor, who was selling her home. The neighbor’s last name was Jones, which also happened to be the last name of my friend's other next-door neighbor. I listed the house and sold it to my brother and his wife, whose last name is Howard.
The following spring, my retired friend called again to tell me that her other next-door neighbors — the other Joneses — were moving out of state and would be selling their home, too. It happened that my son John was looking for a house to share with college pals, and he ended up buying the house.
So thanks to me, my friend, who used to be sandwiched between two neighbors named Jones, now lives between owners who are both named Howard.
— Roger Howard, broker-owner of 1st Home Realty, Indianapolis
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