A Creepy Sunday -- NOT a typical day in the life of this Realtor!

Some days in Real Estate can be smooth sailing.  Then there are those days that should go down in the record books for pure CRAZY!  Last weekend, I had one of those pure crazy and somewhat creepy days.  I thought I would share a couple of stories for pure entertainment value, and in case there is any misconception out there about how “easy” the job of a Realtor can be!!

A simple phone call can change the trajectory of a day.  On my way to church on Sunday morning, I received a call from an out of state number.  The caller indicated she had a home in the country (about 30 miles from my office) that she wanted me to put on the market for lease.  I cringed slightly inside because driving 30 miles for a rental property is not really a smart business decision, but I continued listening to her story.  It was quite a story indeed!!!

As soon as I got to a place where I could turn on my computer, I started doing my own research on the property that she was asking me to list.  There was something in her story that set off several “red flags” for me!  She had a LONG list of criteria for her next tenant which definitely seemed to push the Fair Housing limitations.  She also wanted an attorney to add special language in the lease that would allow for her to terminate a lease at any time if she decided to sell the property.  I was not at all comfortable with any of this. The biggest kicker for me was that I found she was NOT the actual owner of the property!   When I questioned her about this specifically, of course the story got bigger and bigger.  Her initial response was that it was “none of my business”.  Eventually she told me she was granted a special type of deed –but did not know where the documentation might be.  Right!

At the end of the evening, after hours (literally) of discussion with the lady on the phone, I told her that I was declining her listing and wished her the best.  That was quite freeing, and I wished I had saved myself the hours of phone conversation by following my gut earlier!   I received a few emails from her throughout the following day saying she simply did not understand my decision after we had hours of conversation.  Thankfully, it was the hours of conversation that kept me from getting involved in this mess!

That same Sunday, I have to say that I experienced one of the strangest showings of my entire life.  It is too bad I did not have a video recording of the incident, because it would have provided some good entertainment to be sure!

After church on Sunday, I had scheduled an appointment to preview a property for some out-of-town clients.  I had tried previously to set up an appointment, but the seller was not being very cooperative.  As I later discovered, the seller was actually going through a bankruptcy, and the entire sale of the property was being handled by a trustee.   I did not realize this at the time of my showing – which sets the stage for what occurred.

My showing request had been approved and I arrived on time.  I knocked at the door, and rang the doorbell, as is customary before entering.  No response.  So, I unlocked the door, and entered a very dark hallway. I also make a habit of calling out “Realtor” anytime I enter an occupied home.  Complete silence greeted me.   It felt a bit creepy as I entered, and I started flipping on lights.  Boxes were stacked everywhere, and it was completely obvious that the owners were in the process of moving.  Nothing unusual about that.  I entered one dark bedroom, flipped on the light, and about fainted when I detected a body in the bed.  A body that did not move. I was not sure if the person was alive or dead.   I called out “hello”, but no movement or response.  I backed out of the room, not sure if I should call the police or the listing agent.  As I turned the corner facing the family room, my heart about jumped out of my chest when a body rose up from the couch.  (I was facing the back of the couch, so I did not see the person laying there.)  The person yelled “What are you doing here?!”   I seriously nearly fainted.  With that loud racket, it seemed people started coming out of rooms everywhere!  I did not know where to run.  At the same time I felt the need to justify my reason for being in the house, and that I WAS there with approval!   It did not matter, I needed to leave!!   I backed my way out of the house as fast as possible, and my car out of the driveway.  I was completely shaking. 

I have come across some very strange things in showing homes over the years – but never have I been so frightened.  I do not think this is a home I will be reshowing anytime in the near future!  I did contact the listing agent immediately to let her k now what had occurred.  She was extremely apologetic.  Thankfully, no one was harmed in that unforgettable showing.