You did What!?!

Ok, ok, I’ve had you on the edge of your seat long enough!  Last time we were here, I was telling you about my colossal decision to leave the corporate world behind me and start working for myself.  So what was this amazing, earth shattering career change?  Yep, I found the world of real estate.  I’m not sure exactly when the passion for combining homes AND people came to me, but I have a few ideas.  There was a period of time (we’ll call it Lent) when I decided Target had seen enough of my hard-earned dollar and I vowed not to spend another dime in that store until Easter hymns were being sung and all was right with the world again.  Now, I’m not going to lie….Target is not an easy Lenten sacrifice – you can find EVERYTHING within those walls…..well except salvation and re-birth.  It made sense.  So here I was trying to avoid temptation, and somehow got in the habit of visiting every open house in the city of Denver to occupy my time – thank you Carey (devoted, and equally sacrificing sister), for being my wingman (or woman, as it were).  Somewhere between guessing home prices and lengthy discussions about what should have been done for the home to sell, real estate began working its way into my blood.  Take that, a semi-serious relationship with another real estate agent (much more on that one later!), and a significant family life event,and I found myself needing something more and seriously looking at making the plunge.  And so I did.  The rest is history, and here I am!

Which leads me to my story for the day.  Open Houses.  I write this as I sit in an open house for my mentor, wondering if the people who walk in are doing as I did not so long ago and if the bug is going to catch them as it did me.  I also wonder what in the world they will say about me upon exiting.  We all know the open house rules right?  Whatever you do, don’t make eye contact with the agent, most definitely DO NOT give your correct information on the sign in sheet and at no cost engage in a conversation that will lead to a sales pitch!  But do discuss the agents outfit, their ability to sell a house in this market, and rate if you would use them to buy or sell a house on a scale of 1 to 10 once you leave the property….. See?  I know how these things work – I was an open house aficionado back in the day!

From the agent side, let me tell you what we are really thinking, and doing, while at the open house, and also let me share one more “rule” to what is listed above.  First and foremost, while we would absolutely love to sell you a house, and we want to make the very best impression on you (and the home) when you walk through the door, the biggest reason we start talking to you and at times, find ourselves shamelessly following you from room to room, is because we have been alone, in a house that is not ours, for the better part of two hours, with limited technology and minimal stimuli…..and we are dying for human interaction.  See, an agent at heart, is a very social being – we love to talk to people and to have conversations about homes and the market, and if you prefer chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies (we really do want to know!).  And it really is all about filling our emotional bank account back up, which has become dangerously low, while sitting alone, and pondering all of life’s mysteries.  Ok, secondly, it’s alright to give us your real information.  Most of us will never become that crazy stalker agent and blow your phone and email up with sales pitch after sales pitch.  But some of us (myself included) do love to send out newsletters with some great information and from time to time, some good giveaways – just to see if you are actually reading!  So even though you may need to delete our email once a month, you might just win a free ticket to a Rockies game, or free pie at Thanksgiving….and even more important,  you get to look like the smartest guy at the BBQ when the topic of real estate comes up….wait, doesn’t everyone talk about that at their BBQ’s?

Ok, finally onto my final “rule”, and I sincerely advise everyone to read carefully here and take this to heart.  Do not, I repeat, DO NOT eat a rich lunch (that includes mexican food) prior to going out on your open house foray.  Let me tell you, I have learned this from personal experience and without going into too much detail (because it is seriously still way too embarrassing), I will say this; if you eat a rich meal, it is very possible your belly will start to regret said meal, which may leave you in a very bad predicament at an open house, where you learn, unfortunately way too late, that the owners have turned off their water for the day.  I will also say this….one very expensive bottle of wine and a very sincere apology letter may have found itself on the doorstep of a particular open house in Denver very late one evening (cover of darkness to protect the innocent) because of said rich meal.  So, eat wisely my friends, and go out to enjoy some open houses!

Until next time…..