Guess Who Called Me

I will give you three guesses:

1. Inga
2. Liam and Inga
3. All of the above

If You Need to Reach Me...

Yesterday, I gave Ari's loan officer a head's up: Mama and Papa Bear will be here Friday through the weekend.

"I think I am out of town. I am leaving tomorrow morning. No! I am leaving tonight," was his automatic reply. He then added, "Thanks for the head's up."

No problem. I personally have gone fishing. I left Thursday night too.

Denise's Dilemma

My agent friend, Denise, posted a story about her and another agent. It did not end well. Denise said she will be filing an ethics complaint. So, I called her.

"Take down all of your posts. Now." I ordered. 

Denise had told me when this issue happened she was annoyed, and now that it has escalated from bad to worse, Denise is doing the right thing by filing a complaint. Because I already know too much, I will recuse myself. That said, I will enlighten all'y'all.

Denise listed a home for $175,000 (not really, I don't know how much the home was listed for, but these numbers work for this example). A buyer's agent brought an offer for $179,000.

Denise's client ran the numbers and found that after they paid off their mortgage, they would be $2000 short of reaching their (never before mentioned to Denise) goal of having netted $100,000. That is to say, after all of the seller costs and mortgage paid, they would make $98,000. And by golly! This was something so important they were loosing sleep over. They just couldn't possibly net $98,000. So, Denise offered to pay for the title policy, which was $1500.

Therefore (for those of you playing along in the home game) the seller would make $99,500.

The seller said no to the buyer (being $500 off from their new non-negotiable goal) and cancelled the listing with Denise.

The very next day the home was on the MLS listed for $179,000 and it was under contract. The new listing agent was the buyer's agent from before.

The home closed recently and Denise found out the same buyers bought the house and the other agent was the buyer and seller's agent in the transaction.

Denise feels like she is owed a commission. Now before you form an opinion based only on the paragraphs above, do know this is a common issue and there is boilerplate language in the Arizona Listing Agreement that addresses this specific issue. There is also a Code of Ethics in place the other agent has to adhere to which would prevent him from listing this house. Even if it was an honest mistake (did the seller go behind Denise's back, perhaps?). The buyer's agent should have said declined.

I happen to agree with Denise, but she knows I will never hear the case on the Grievance Committee. I suspect the High Inquisitor Squad will agree too.

I Am Really, Really, Really Sure I am Busy

It turns out Mama Bear will be in town this weekend to visit with Ari. I am sure she will want to see his new house. I am also sure she might be slightly disappointed to find out what one can get in his budget. Not just the house--which would be super-cute if in a different neighborhood and wasn't full of leftover former tenant trash.

I do mean trash. Old beer cans. Dirty diapers. Fast food wrappers. And all sorts of other yucky debris. If one could look past the neighborhood and the garbage, it really is adorbs.

But in any case, I think I am sick/busy/out of town/watching baseball this weekend. Darn. I won't get a chance to meet Mama Bear and see the look on her face when she sees her son's potential home.

Ari Update

Ari found a house. It wasn't on the market which is why there weren't 15 offers on it. We managed to negotiate a reasonable deal. He wanted $10k less than I thought the owner would take. The counter offer was $10k more.

Ari hemmed and hawed. I had a thought bubble over my head where I was thinking, "Even if you pay the $10k more than you wanted, this is a great price. Don't miss out on this place because it will be $40 more a month. How many homes have you lost out on because you are unwilling to change your criteria?" In the end, Ari signed the counter-offer and we will be opening escrow today.

Ari also told me his parents will be here next weekend and was I free to show off his house? I believe I am busy. Very busy. Given this house is in a scary neighborhood--possibly even more scary than the last one, I am not about to be there when his mother sees the place.

Today's Rant

Jane has put a note on her calendar to remind me to start looking for a new accountant in July. Because I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really,really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY, dislike my current one.

Bad MLS Pictures--Truth in Advertising Edition

To be fair, these aren't bad MLS pictures. They are pictures of a property that looks like, well, this.

If you are one of the two readers to this site, you know how I rant about agents who have been hired to represent a home in the best light. After all, they have a responsibility to their client. In this case,  I think this agent did a great job.

Looking for a home with plenty of storage? Want to bring the inside out? 

Don't miss this gem.

Are walls a requirement for you? Then look no further. 

Are you ready to ditch the traditional and boring perpendicular walls for a bit of whimsy? 

Then I have the house for you! 

This all can be yours, including the spectacular view. 

This house has it all! Do you want running water? No problem! 

Do you want cleaning supplies and various aerosol mystery cans? 

Yep, it has that too? 

This seller's pride of ownership is unquestionable. 

Plenty of room for a toilet paper roll holder but, you must act now!!

Wanting a multi-level home with stairs that seem to lead to nowhere? 

Then this is the house for you.

And finally, 

Plenty of room to add on and the studs are included in the sale (if you ask for them and include them in the offer price).  

Today's Community Outreach Meeting

My realtor pal, Sally, warned me when I joined the Community Outreach Committee it would be cliquish. It is. The Chair is the perky type with no imagination. This committee has many roles in the community--working with Veterans, the elderly, homeless and more. However, I joined because I am a strong advocate for the Critical Needs mission that our association has. In fact, next month I am speaking in front of a group of agents about the Critical Needs fund.

Critical Needs is just that. When an agent or a family member of an agent have a serious and pressing financial issue, our association (if the money is available) can donate a sum to help out. In the first two months of 2019 Critical Needs has given $19,000 to 9 real estate families. Three of those were because of realtor deaths. Five were because of medical emergencies with the agent or a family member. One was because the spouse left and emptied the bank account, leaving the agent and minor children to fend for themselves.

But back to the meeting. One of the items we are doing is working with the First Responders in the various cities to provide mechanical lock boxes to them so they can put them on homes for the elderly. This program is wildly successful and there is a huge waiting list for lock boxes. So the Committee Chair asked for ideas on how to find agents to donate lock boxes.

What she didn't say was 1) she didn't want my ideas and 2) when I suggested something (like asking our association--the ones who sponsor us--for a blurb in their online FREE newsletter that goes out to 30,000 agents weekly or asking for donations at the upcoming agent blood drive) it was received with a "that won't work." This was always followed by her saying, "next suggestion." Then someone would say something along the lines of,  "why don't we put a request for these lock boxes in a bottle and float it down the Salt River so it reaches the Pacific Ocean. Then, someone will find it and we will get 5,000 lock boxes instantly!" ("Oh Suzie! What a great idea! We are still on for happy hour tonight, right?")

We then discussed the way we can get the word out about Critical Needs. This is an ongoing challenge and now that the two associations are merging into one, there might be a larger need coming sooner than later. So, I suggested we talk to the brokerages and see if we could ask if any agents getting a commission might wish to voluntarily have $10 taken from their commission and designated for the Critical Needs fund. Brokerages do this for various charities all the time.

I got, "That won't work. It is too hard to get the word out." This time I pushed back.

"If it is just the logistics of talking with the brokers, that's a happy problem," I replied.

And wouldn't you know! Others found this to be a reasonable course of action too! In fact, it was such a reasonable course of action that the Committee Chair put Suzie in charge of making it happen.

That's fine, I don't see me staying much longer on this committee. I agreed to a year, but that might be shortened.

Small World

Ari the Felon and I went out to look at properties this weekend. When I arrived at our first one, he jumped out of his car to greet me.

"I just saw a drug deal go down," Ari said with a grimace.

"Do you want to even bother to see the place?" I asked. After all, he was now aware of who his neighbors would be.

"Why not," was his reply.

Now may I take a moment to say to all buyers everywhere, if you have already rejected a home for strong and legitimate reasons before you see it don't waste your time with the interior. But then again, nobody listens to me. And in this case, this post wouldn't be nearly as interesting if Ari hadn't seen the interior.

At any rate, we were expecting the seller to answer when we knocked at the door. But no, it was the seller's grown son. And wouldn't you know! Ari knew the grown son. And Ari knew the father. Apparently the three of them had served time together.

Opportunities

I have a general idea of what I want to do when I grow up. I want to work in a leadership capacity of some sort in real estate. I don't know if this means I want to teach, manage people or work as a trainer. But something. I have been bandying around the idea for a few months, trying to shape a role and create what I am looking for.

Part of why I joined a couple of committees was to add this as a resume builder. Additionally, I am working on a couple of certifications to augment my expertise as well. Every since I left El Jefe, I get calls from agents I know asking for real estate advice. The obvious, "ask your broker" is how I always start and from there we get into hypotheticals, as no two contracts are the same.

Right now my goal is to wait until Buckaroo is done with school and a bit more independent and then I will go out into this brave new world. Of course, it is also dependent upon us not moving to some humid place in the swamp. But that hasn't happened yet, so I am not putting tons of stock in it.

This past week, I heard from two brokers who want to talk to me about management opportunities. Both called me out of the blue. One I have known for a few years, the other got my name from an agent who works at the same brokerage who thought of me. I am not ready and I told both of them so. Both--being sales people--said, "never say never" and other such ego boosters. I pointed out to one of them I am 70 miles from her office. She said, "We want to open a Mesa branch." Nice, but not now.

I am not ready. I want a little more time seasoning what I am learning on my own. Plus I don't want to short-change Buckaroo and Polly who like having lunch waiting for them after school. Or, who knows! Perhaps I will just stay where I am and hire a few agents and move forward in that level of leadership with my company. That's an option too.

The TexVirginia Vote

I never hid my opinion.

To no surprise to perhaps about 39 out of 40 folks (spoiler alert, I expected it), the TexVirgina vote went through. The total vote was 40 against and 188 for, within the two associations.

There are more than 40,000 real estate agents who are affected by this vote and they only had 228 folks who bothered to show up. The vote was about 20.5% at both associations against. My theory is we will find out the real reason this was a big deal when some big surprise is dropped in our lap.

Counting the Votes

Nobody from El Jefe's office came--including El Jefe, who called me a couple hours earlier to say he couldn't make it. My realtor pal, Sally, didn't show up either. I texted them both and gave them the news. They were thrilled. Jane was there. So was Mrs. Hufflepuff. They had opposing views, but it was sweet of Mrs. Hufflepuff to allow me the courtesy to debate her about why I thought it was a foolish idea.

Nothing will probably change in my world. But Arizona real estate policies put in place will be favored towards the now fifth largest realtor association in the country. The new realtor association covers four Arizona counties. Small locales such as Nogalas, Yuma, the White Mountains and Flagstaff will have less pull, which is too bad for them.

Local realtor associations should be local.

Tax Season

In the old days, I would waltz into Diamond Jim's CPA office this time of year with a box of Girl Scout cookies for him. After a few pleasantries and an exchange of stories about his grand kids and my two littles, we would get down to business. Some time later I would stop back by his office and pick up my tax returns. We would joke around for a moment or two and I would be on my way.

Then, generally the week before April 15, Marty or I would bring him lunch every day just because he was our friend. If we had leftovers at dinner, it wasn't unheard of for us to stop by with a plate of home cooking for him either. Around April 17 he and I would meet at Cindy's Cafe for breakfast while he caught up on what was happening in the world for the last three and a half months.

I miss those days. Especially this time of year. I miss Diamond Jim. The man he is today is not the man he was before. That friendship is gone and all that is left is some sweet memories. 

I don't like my new CPA for three reasons. 

1. He sent out an introduction letter to Marty and I last year, that pushed his politics and his opinion about the current state of the Union. I don't care about his politics and I certainly don't think it has any place in a business environment. And I for damn sure don't want to be preached at by someone who I am hiring--even if I agree or disagree. 

2. He sent me out a letter saying when my appointment was supposed to be to see him. I had no say in it. Last year I pushed back, as he gave me Good Friday, and that wasn't going to happen. This year I did not, because it worked out ok. But I would like to be able to schedule a time to get my taxes done that I choose. 

3. Last year he shared with me his neighbor is "loaded." And then proceeded to tell me a few personal things about the guy. My current CPA said the reason he knew this was because the neighbor is his client. 

Last year my current CPA managed to fix a lot of issues Diamond Jim caused before he retired. There is a term for this: forensic accounting. It is a thing. We paid dearly for this service, but it will probably save us in the future. 

I only deal with this dude for about three hours a year. And of course I don't remember the three reasons I don't like him until I am sitting in his office. So far, those reasons have not caused enough urgency for me to look for yet another CPA. With Marty threatening to find another job in another state, I have kind of put the search on hold. But maybe next year I will start looking around. 

Buck's Not a Date

For some reason, Jane and Mrs. Hufflepuff conspired to introduce Buckaroo and Mrs. Hufflepuff's daughter. This past week the two teens met and went on a blind "not a date." I can tell you, for me, the entire event was exhausting. For the weeks leading up to it, Buck was beyond nervous (even though he assured me it wasn't a date) about meeting a new potential friend. He had picked out what he would be wearing for his "not a date" two weeks earlier. He would randomly ask all sorts of random and pointed questions ("what if she is boring?") at odd moments, like when I was walking out of the bathroom.

I tried to stay out of the way, given Buck and I do better when I am not giving him last-minute mothering advice. Instead, Marty and Jane stepped in, telling him how to act when he is on a, "not a date." Jane's 24 year old daughter, taking pity on Buckaroo and Huff Junior, offered to drive them on their outing. This  resulted in updated text messages from Jane (who was getting updates from her daughter) with such lovely missives as, "Buckaroo spent the entire time in the car with his nose in his phone. I already sent him a text and told him if he picked up his phone one more time I would personally beat him." Gotta love Auntie Jane.

As for me, I was perfectly fine with Buckaroo out for the evening. He is 16 after all. Polly was out of town and Marty and I curled up on the couch to spend our Saturday together. Or that was the overall intention until Jane started sending three-way messages to Mrs. Hufflepuff and me. "Huff Junior and Buck have decided to go off on their own and left Jane Junior and her friend to fend for themselves. Both kids are both smiling and getting along." and "What time should we bring them home?" (me: midnight is fine. Mrs Hufflepuff: 10 p.m.).

At that point, Mrs. Hufflepuff bypassed Jane entirely and blew up my phone with her lovely daughter's life story. She (Mrs. H.) admitted she was a helicopter mom and it was "hard" for her to let her 16 year old daughter go out without her. She ended her text with how much she trusts Buckaroo--someone she has only heard about from Jane--and she feels "comfortable" with daughter out with him. That made me smile, because it meant Buckaroo had made a good impression or (hopefully) Mrs. H's text messages would soon come to an end so I could enjoy my quiet evening.

Buckaroo came home around 10:15 p.m. with a big grin on his face. He said he had fun and emphasized "IT WAS NOT A DATE." That's about the most either Marty or I got from him. Fortunately Mrs. Hufflepuff and Jane were able to find out more details, which they shared with me. Huff Junior had a good time. Buckaroo was a gentleman and offered his jacket to his new friend when she got cold.  And at one point he saw a fire truck and ditched her to go look at it, however Huff Junior easily forgave him and considered it a personality quirk.

Today I gently mentioned that if he ever is in a situation in the future where he is with a new friend and sees a fire truck perhaps--and this is just a thought--he could invite the new friend to look at it too. Buckaroo had the good sense to blush and remind me it was no big deal because, "It wasn't a date Mom."

This Month's Grievance Meeting

This past week we had our Grievance Committee Meeting. The two cases we discussed took less time  to debate (and ultimately vote to send to the High Inquisitor Squad) than the following conversation that ensued. We are an anonymous bunch. We meet in secret at a secret location and time. Why? Because of the kinds of cases we heard this week. I don't personally know the people we discussed, but I know enough to believe they would have barged into the room and demanded we take their side.

The Code of Ethics is the standard to which all Realtors are held who wish to practice real estate. Our goal on the Grievance Committee is to keep the bar for real estate high. This is to be an honorable profession. Unfortunately, the reason there is a Grievance Committee in the first place is because of those who don't want to keep the same standards.

The One that Got Away

I have written several posts (that have not been published) on the cancellation of Ari's sale. Simply put there were issues in the logistics and legalities of this sale and to not cancel would have put Ari in financial jeopardy. Given the eerily silence of the selling side since Wednesday, I believe not fighting for this house was the right course of action. I am about 95 percent sure the selling side was going to fight for Ari's earnest money if the sale had gone on one more day.

My paperwork has been filed now. However, I added several notes, chronicling the course of events that led to this cancellation. If Mama Bear or the seller at some time get the urge to raise hell, I want to make sure my ducks are in a row. Mind you, my conscience is clear--but the judge wouldn't care about my conscience as much as he would care about the chain of events.

The house in question was a flip. I have seen enough flips in my time to know slip-shod work. This seller slapped some new paint, used carpet and new floor tile on the place and tried to pass it off as a dream. It isn't in the scope of my license to be the expert on this particular issue. So, I directed Ari to his paid home inspectors and others who could best advise him. However, the house he loved so much came with a lot of red flags these inspectors found that Ari wanted to ignore.

Part of what bothers me about that particular sale is that Ari, a first time home buyer, loved this property. He is thoroughly disappointed. But that isn't my biggest level of heartburn.

I believe the selling side was playing dirty. I couldn't prove it. The selling agent was sloppy and unprofessional enough that he was skirting into the gray area of real estate--that landscape that isn't quite unethical but just shady enough to make one raise an eyebrow. I looked the selling agent up, he has been with a lot of brokerages in his time in the business. Sometimes he stayed as long as six months. Nobody voluntarily wants the expense of changing brokerages that much. So, I am guessing he was asked to leave his brokerage more than once.

Later today Ari and I are looking at two more properties. Perhaps one of these new homes will be the one he decides will take his mind off of the home that got away.

Realtor Kids

Painting Open House Signs Last Year

I have two kids who have been in the real estate business--involuntarily--for their entire lives. As Realtor kids, my children don't walk on other people's grass. They wipe their feet before they enter. They know during a showing not to make a disparaging comment about even the most ghastly house--because you never know who may like it. They don't talk about the safety of the neighborhood even if they see a drug bust going down right next door.

Polly and Buckaroo have done their fair share of helping me fold flyers, entertain client's children and all sorts of other tasks. Because Buckaroo is more interested and he has more time, he gets the brunt of the work. Even El Jefe has hired him out. This past week I dragged him to Jane's new listing where he, Jane's daughter, Jane and I moved furniture and staged the home in time for the photographer to show up and do his magic.

Buckaroo has also been known to put out flyers for my open houses. When he was younger, I could recruit him and a few friends who would go through the neighborhood on their scooters, passing out pamphlets for Saturday's open house. Their price: ice cream sundaes.

One time I brought Buckaroo with me because my clients had a precocious six year old who would never let his parents have a moment of peace when they were looking at properties. Let's face it, when one is looking to spend a quarter of a million dollars on a home it might be a good idea to be able to think in peace. So, in exchange for two decks of Pokemon cards (he insisted he earned TWO decks) and lunch with Mom (Olive Garden), Buckaroo donned a collared shirt and walked up to my clients, a smile on his face and with an extended hand and said, "Hello Mr. Miller, My name is Buckaroo. May I play with Tony in the park right over there?" And then he pointed to the park, within view. Mr. and Mrs. Miller exchanged glances, that suggested perhaps Buckaroo's politeness might possibly rub off on Tony and then bid them both farewell. (Note, it did not rub off on that kid. Unfortunately).

When Polly was about three, I took her with me for a friend's showing (with the permission of the parents). They had a daughter Polly's age and the two girls were good friends. Polly and I arrived early, turned on the lights and previewed the house. When my clients arrived Polly ran right over to Katie and grabbed her hand. Dragging her through the driveway ("Don't walk on the grass Katie. It isn't your house.") Polly said, "Do you like pink? There is a pink bedroom." And then stopping at the front door, she ordered, "Wipe your feet." Once inside, both girls raced to the back of the house where Polly proudly showed off the pink bedroom.

Buckaroo has told me he thinks being a firefighter would be really cool, and on his off days, he could sell houses. The firefighter income pays the bills. The real estate income is for investing. Polly has made it abundantly clear she will never, ever, EVER sell homes. (Never say Never Polly!). When I asked her why she wouldn't consider joining the family business she said, "I don't think I want to deal with the crazies." Well, there is that.

Letting Go

I am writing this after 5 p.m. on Wednesday. I am predicting now Ari's sale will fall out of escrow in the next few hours, through no fault of Ari's. Ari and I have talked this afternoon. I have spoken to the loan officer. Now I am waiting with ample frustration for the notice to let this go. Because it is coming.

It is only a few hours after Inga and Liam decided--once again--not to sell their home. I was so devastated by that loss, that I merrily called my 81 year old father and asked him to drive right over to their home and remove my sign so I can order the post down. To be fair, Dad lives about 5 miles away from Inga's. My sign can breathe easily now that it is out of that dysfunctional environment.

My rule in real estate is if a sale is so tough that it doesn't go together smoothly, it probably wasn't meant to be. These two are no exception. Ari will not be homeless--though his mother will probably have Ari fire me and the loan officer. Inga isn't homeless, but probably will be through choices she is making. But I am ok with that.

I am gong for a walk now. I need a karma cleanse.

Pbth...

I hadn't heard from Inga in a few days. I had called and texted, but no response. Given she has a few health issues and a felon making ugly comments, I was concerned. So, I called her estranged husband Liam, just to make sure. With no return call from him, I went on my merry way, figuring someone would notice a sign in their front yard and eventually I might hear back.

Well, I did. It was Liam, the estranged husband. He started his phone call with the, "How are you...?" emphasizing the "you" as about sixteen syllables. Frankly, at that point nothing else needed to be said.

Well wouldn't you know! Liam was calling to tell me Inga has decided, once again, not to sell the house. And would I kindly take down my sign? Also, they want to "reimburse" me for my time and expenses. But, he hastily added, they have no money, so as long as my time and expenses were free, they could pay up.

I probably should feel worse about this, but I kind of figured this was a train wreck. I liked having my sign in the yard because it was free advertising. Now I need to figure out a way to find a high-functioning client instead.

Ari's Sale

This sale for Ari the Felon has never sat well with me. Call it a gut-feel. Or indigestion. Or experience, masking as intuition.

Anyway, let me start by saying--and I checked yesterday so I know this to be true--there is nothing else for sale that meets Ari's criteria and in his price range at this time. We found the unicorn. And now he is buying it.

However, the unicorn in question has come with its own set of challenges. First, the selling agent has been a bit dishonest and sloppy. We started off on a bad note that has only gotten more stiffly polite as time has moved forward. After sending him a Cure Notice early on (a Cure Notice being a vote of no confidence and an incredible insult), I crossed my fingers I would never need a favor from this dude.

Second, I did not pick the loan officer for this sale. Ari's mama did. She worked for this bank at one time in the mortgage department and called in a few favors. When it was time to meet the loan officer, I asked a few pointed questions to make sure he knew what he was doing. In general, agents don't care to work with mortgage officers who work for banks because banks don't really care about contracts and they work at their own speed in their own time. This loan officer is no exception. However, the contract clearly states if certain tasks aren't done in a timely manner, Ari will loose his earnest money at the very least and could end up losing his unicorn.

Third, Mama bear is a nosy busybody. She is mostly taken care of, as I completely ignore her. The loan officer isn't so lucky. She and her minions are breathing down his back. Plus she seems to control the marionette strings attached to Ari. Ari thinks the world of her.

We are a few days away from Ari losing his earnest money because the loan officer did not handle some basic tasks. Maybe it is just me, but if the appraisal was done on February 15 and I was the loan officer, I wouldn't have spent three weeks staring at the ceiling wondering when it would drop in my lap. It isn't as if I didn't call the dude twice a day and ask where it was. It isn't as if the other agent wasn't asking the loan officer where it was either. Seriously, I don't get it.

Additionally, the loan officer was trapped up by a (to me) minor chore that is REQUIRED ON EVERY SALE. The task didn't happen last week and it took the selling agent yelling at me (twice, once on Friday and once on Monday) and the loan officer for the loan officer to figure out how to make it happen.

Because of all of the above, this sale isn't closing on time. That means Ari's earnest money is about to be non-refundable. It also means I am going to be slapped with a cure notice in a couple of days. In addition to the implied meaning of a cure notice, it also allows the seller to cancel the sale. So, I need that favor from the other agent--have his client sign a contract extension.

After talking to the agent today, I am not sure they are willing to do this. The seller doesn't have to. He can force the earnest money to become non-refundable. And because the selling agent isn't very happy with me he is being punitive. "No my client isn't going to sign the addendum," he barked.

I have spoken with all parties and gotten nowhere. I feel helpless and frustrated. And I keep wondering if there was a way to have listened to my gut-feel weeks ago and have saved Ari from this mess. Hopefully if this sale closes, his home will be be just as magical as he wants it to be.

Public Service Announcement

If you know your brother's wife is the type to defraud and has countless lawsuits and arrests, might be best not to go into business with her. And maybe if you are the wife of a man whose husband you don't get along with, maybe you should consider living far, far away. Then all sides could be happy.

In other news, I have just spent the last 287 hours reviewing 9 million pages of evidence for two cases the Grievance Committee will be hearing this week.

Frustration

One of the reasons I did not invite Jane to join me when I opened up the brokerage was I did not feel like I could sufficiently train her and coach her into being the agent she wanted to be. I had tried this when we both worked for El Jefe, and the results were marginal. After 44+ years of friendship, it was safe to say there was no way I could hold her accountable. After all, nobody is a profit in their own home.

But, when I left El Jefe, I did look for a place for Jane to go. And hence, I introduced her to Mrs. Hufflepuff. It has been a great match for both of them. They are friends and their talents compliment each other. In the year Jane has been at Mrs. Hufflepuff's brokerage, she has bloomed. She is also now in charge of paperwork for various agents, so she is doing some value-added work (for which she is compensated). Plus she is held accountable as a sales agent and has been given a lot of formal training that I would not have been able to provide her.

Jane recently--without any mentoring from Mrs. H., found a listing. I personally was super-proud of her. It is a big deal when one gets that first client who isn't a family or friend. Some stranger is saying, "hey I trust you!" This past week she met with her potential seller to get everything signed and get the house on the market. And this is where I have a problem.

I was the one who looked over Jane's paperwork. I found a few errors and omissions--rookie mistakes, actually. But ones Mrs. Hufflepuff should have caught, if she had been bothered to look at Jane's paperwork in the first place, which she didn't.

Yesterday, Jane met with her seller. Mrs. Hufflepuff was too busy to attend Jane's first "big girl" listing presentation. So, with Mrs. Hufflepuff's blessing (after all she is the broker of Jane's company), I tagged along. I didn't mind doing so, except it wasn't my job. Their friendship aside, it was in Mrs. Hufflepuff's best interest to be there because she owns the liability if Jane makes a mistake. If I advise Jane in a way that is not what Mrs. Hufflepuff wants, I am fine. Jane won't be.

Jane did great at the listing appointment. She stumbled on a few minor things, turned to me and I filled in the blanks, much to her client's satisfaction. The paperwork was signed. I helped Jane start marketing the place and told her what she needed to do next. All of this is Mrs. Hufflepuff's job.

All of it.

These issues aside--although I am frustrated at Mrs. H., it must be ok to both her and Jane--I am really pleased that Jane managed to do this. Real estate is a tough business and it truly does take some time to become established. Most of my business these days are repeat clients and referrals. Rarely do I seek new clients. Jane isn't in a place where she has that luxury. So, this is a huge win for her.

I just wish her broker would have had her back.

Bad MLS Pictures

This house keeps coming up in my feed. It is time to share it with you folks.

Every picture tells a story. This one tells me there is no storage. Nor is there a roof on the shed.