So let me tell you again, I sell real estate!
Well today started out as my 'lucky day'. You know the type of day. When the phone rings your afraid to answer it and sure enough I was right. It was the office calling with my 'rotational call'. Some other companies call it the 'up call'. Very few of these calls ever turn into a living, breathing buyer or seller but someone has to do the job. Today it was me.
The gentlemen starts out by saying that he's interested in a run 
down house on Salem Drive. House doesn't look too good and might be a foreclosure in disrepair. I'm prepared to help on my trusty computer and try to pull up the house by the address with no luck. The 'buyer' jumps into this car and insists on driving down the street to be sure of the address in spite of my attempts to say there is nothing with that address in the MLS. Ok, Mr. Buyer, call me back when you're in front of the house. Oh, boy.
Well, Mr. Buyer speeds down the street and sure enough calls me back with the address and listing office info and insists I help him find out who owns the 'car in the driveway - it's a Mercedes'. Your interested in the car in the driveway and your calling me, a realtor for the info? Yes, that's right Lyn, I know you can help. (Is my last name Carfax?)
The car in the driveway? I do finally find the house in the MLS and it has been under contract for quite some time and indeed is a foreclosure. But how can Mr. Buyer get information on that Mercedes in the driveway? Well, I'm telling him that the owner is probably no longer around so I don't know how I can help. I'm not sure how a realtor can help this guy at all! But Lyn, it's a great looking older Mercedes in the driveway. Would be really nice with a little touch up and detailing ya' know.
Mr. Buyer insists that I keep his name and number so when I do find out the information I'll be sure to give him a call.
Sure! It'll be on my A List for today.
© 2007 - 2010 Lyn Sims
Oh, the lengths some people will go to find out information... why didn't he just call the listing office on the sign when he stood right in front of it? It takes all kinds doesn't it?
HA! I thought I was the only one who got calls about cars! I had one who was interested in the car in a garage at an estate property. I gave him to the listing broker and called it good. I didn't get a thank you from the listing broker, BTW! It's all part of the job...I think.
Silvia & Marcy: Yep, your either lucky or your not with these calls. I think we are supposed to be like the 411 directory.
Hi Lyn, the exciting thing about this business is we never know what will happen when we answer the phone. The good news is that you recieved another worthless call which put you closer to the great call.
Your right Bill, thanks for that great attitude!
We all probably get that a time or too. After Hurricane Ivan I got all the calls (one of the only offices with a working phone) a lady called asking how to get a boat off her house was one of the funniest.
Different responses in different areas! I always try to help a bit, even banter some. Being nice has helped, and I can feel good about my part. I have had return business and I have asked for a trade off. You get about what you expect. I have made sales and taken listings from the floor call many times. I have also made friends; and friendly people usually have friends of their own who are also likely to be nice and friendly vs the "pains" that sometimes call. At the very least, it is an opportunity to practice my skills and make a new contact... real live role play. Works for me...
Bill: If the owner left the car and vacated the premises after foreclosure how am I supposed to find him? Belongs to the bank as far as I'm concerned! I never help the repo guys!
Pat: Good attitude that if you help, it will come back around to you. Great thoughts. This guy just would not understand how I couldn't help him.
I will TRY to turn an odd ball request into closing tool in a fun....sort of way. This will be hard to do in a reply without voice inflection.... Mr. Buyer, I will be all over that to do a huge favor for you. Could you do a huge favor for me? I will send over the buyer's representation agreement over to you by email. Just sign and shoot that back to me this afternoon as I will be out of pocket to get it to your personally today. OK?
You may or may not have a real potential for a client, but I would give it a shot. When he/she answers, you will know.
Your right Tim, I should have popped a buyers agreement into the mail right away. But did he want the car more than the house?
That is funny! Enjoyed your story!
Thanks Marilyn - got to get back to the car lot!