So Monday morning Marty and I took one of our continuing education classes. Somewhere on my bucket list is to teach real estate classes. I have been noodling it for a while, but I am not quite sure I am ready. I am more afraid of what I don't know, than what I know.
Anyway, the class was interesting. Marty, who is an inactive agent, found the class boring, and I assured him it was fascinating. The man who was teaching is a managing broker for a major franchise in town. He has an office of 300 agents and lots of stories. As a freshly minted broker myself, I was listening with both palms propping up my chin, savoring every delicious story. I love contract law. I love legal conversations. And more to the point, some of the tales he told I was relieved hadn't happened to me.
Actually my big take-away from this was an off-handed comment he made. As agents, we really should fire more clients. Maybe if clients didn't think they were doing us agents a favor, they would be a bit more civilized towards us. After all, as a profession, we tend to be professional and polite to them. The same cannot always be said about those we choose to represent.
This got me thinking about Diamond Jim. Technically, I can sell his house right now. Of course, there are some other issues with this and as soon as my sign was popped in the yard, all hell would break loose and that would be the end of it.
But more to the point, why would I want to sell Diamond Jim's house? I can't stress this enough: he is the absolute worst client I ever had. The two times before he has been absolutely awful. The first time, after his home closed he sent me flowers to kind of smooth everything over. The second time I avoided him for months, mainly because I was so furious with his behavior. There is nothing that makes me think this time would be any different.
Originally part of my request was to work with Diamond Jim Junior only because there is only so much crazy I need to tolerate. The more I thought about this, the more I really do feel this teacher was correct. There are times tough love is the best. And the only way I will go forward with this sale is if Junior is at the helm.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Lottery Winners
With forty minutes to five Monday night, I found out my folks, CJ and Carlie, had been selected to rent the lovely home we saw on Saturday. However, they would have to have the cashier's check for $500 and the lease to the owner by 6 p.m. or the deal was off. Of course, this wasn't useful for me either, as it required me to drive across town, sit down with them at a random McDonald's and get a bunch of signatures for their lease. That wasn't really the problem on my end. The real problem for me was I was wearing comfy leggings and this agoraphobic real estate agent was snug inside her home for the next 24 hours.
The real problem for CJ and Carlie was that they were once again being asked to jump through hoops. And when I met with them at 5:15 Monday night, they gave me an earful. They had done everything that was asked of them. They had given and given with nothing in return. And for what?! There was no negotiation on my end. As far as they were concerned, I had done nothing, NOTHING I tell you, to help them in the teensiest. All I did was relay the demands--reasonable or not--from the owner! What good was I?
At that moment, they concluded (while holding the $500 cashier's check made out to the owner, mind you) that maybe they should call the entire thing off and just find someone more "capable" to help them. As I was getting this tongue lashing, all I could think of was, "Why didn't they tell me this before I changed clothes and drove in rush hour traffic?"
Have I mentioned I hate rentals? Part of the reason I hate rentals is that prospective renters do not believe the Phoenix rental market is crazy right now no matter what I say to educate them prior to them putting an application in on a property. There is a warped perception that I--and real estate agents in general, who all HATE doing rentals--are just in it for the money. When it comes to rentals, nothing could be farther from the truth. Rentals are a true labor of love.
But, actually, what I told them is, what they got by agreeing to the landlord's terms is a place to live. Eighteen other applicants (yes, eighteen other parties) still had to pay the credit check requirement, jump through a bunch of hoops, and they lost out to CJ and Carlie. In the rental lottery, my clients were the winners.
What I also added was (in a nicer, more professional way), and guess what? If CJ and Carlie hadn't agreed to a two year lease, hadn't agreed to no pets, hadn't agreed to change the air filters every month and hadn't agreed to move in this week, and hadn't agreed to pay $25 more next year, they would be homeless and have to do the entire process all over again with a home that probably wasn't as nice and maybe even with higher fees. They weren't getting their $70 credit check money back. Next time they might have to pay $90. And the time after that $100. And even if it wasn't with me representing them, it would be with someone who would tell them the exact same thing. Because CJ and Carlie won the Rental Lottery the first time out and eighteen other people would be happy to take their place.
Fortunately, to drive this point home, Mrs. Landlord also showed up to the party while my clients were signing the lease. She reiterated the same as above: they won! Congratulations! Everyone else lost. However, by then CJ and Carlie had calmed down and Mrs. Landlord missed the ass chewing I was still reeling from.
Instead, Mrs. Landlord got a, "Thank you for choosing us. We are grateful."
Note: After I wrote this, I did receive a text message from them, thanking me for going to bat for them.
The real problem for CJ and Carlie was that they were once again being asked to jump through hoops. And when I met with them at 5:15 Monday night, they gave me an earful. They had done everything that was asked of them. They had given and given with nothing in return. And for what?! There was no negotiation on my end. As far as they were concerned, I had done nothing, NOTHING I tell you, to help them in the teensiest. All I did was relay the demands--reasonable or not--from the owner! What good was I?
At that moment, they concluded (while holding the $500 cashier's check made out to the owner, mind you) that maybe they should call the entire thing off and just find someone more "capable" to help them. As I was getting this tongue lashing, all I could think of was, "Why didn't they tell me this before I changed clothes and drove in rush hour traffic?"
Have I mentioned I hate rentals? Part of the reason I hate rentals is that prospective renters do not believe the Phoenix rental market is crazy right now no matter what I say to educate them prior to them putting an application in on a property. There is a warped perception that I--and real estate agents in general, who all HATE doing rentals--are just in it for the money. When it comes to rentals, nothing could be farther from the truth. Rentals are a true labor of love.
But, actually, what I told them is, what they got by agreeing to the landlord's terms is a place to live. Eighteen other applicants (yes, eighteen other parties) still had to pay the credit check requirement, jump through a bunch of hoops, and they lost out to CJ and Carlie. In the rental lottery, my clients were the winners.
What I also added was (in a nicer, more professional way), and guess what? If CJ and Carlie hadn't agreed to a two year lease, hadn't agreed to no pets, hadn't agreed to change the air filters every month and hadn't agreed to move in this week, and hadn't agreed to pay $25 more next year, they would be homeless and have to do the entire process all over again with a home that probably wasn't as nice and maybe even with higher fees. They weren't getting their $70 credit check money back. Next time they might have to pay $90. And the time after that $100. And even if it wasn't with me representing them, it would be with someone who would tell them the exact same thing. Because CJ and Carlie won the Rental Lottery the first time out and eighteen other people would be happy to take their place.
Fortunately, to drive this point home, Mrs. Landlord also showed up to the party while my clients were signing the lease. She reiterated the same as above: they won! Congratulations! Everyone else lost. However, by then CJ and Carlie had calmed down and Mrs. Landlord missed the ass chewing I was still reeling from.
Instead, Mrs. Landlord got a, "Thank you for choosing us. We are grateful."
Note: After I wrote this, I did receive a text message from them, thanking me for going to bat for them.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
JC, The Master Negotiator
JC and Carlie came to my attention because of another property management company that throws rental business my way once in a while. Generally, all of the folks they give me are reasonable types without felonies. Once in a while, not so much, but that is pretty much the make-up of renters as a whole. Anyway, JC and Carlie called me some time in December. They were moving here at the end of January and wanted to find a place, with me doing the legwork and them looking at pretty house pictures on line.
As you can imagine, I told them how it would go. They would actually need to view the homes themselves because I don't do "legwork." My instructions were to get here and then we would go look. That actually worked out well because JC's mother lives in a retirement community and she has plenty of room. Plus, they had ALREADY rented a place for two weeks in Scottsdale for mid-February.
Over the course of the past six weeks, I have continually tried to educate them on the rental market. It is hot. There are multiple applications on any property they wish to view. Be prepared to be the best and there is no room to negotiate. There is no "nit-picking" because the three other applicants have already failed a time or two and are willing to live with what you aren't. And here was the major item: if you find a place, an owner is not going to hold it for you for four weeks. So, if they want to move in March 1st, don't bother looking until mid-February.
Saturday morning, I was holding an open house with Jane (more on the open house in another blog). In between my knitting project and sipping ice tea, JC and Carlie sent me a text message. They wanted to see a rental property RIGHT NOW! That was well and good and all, but I was a bit busy. I almost told them we could wait a couple of days, as--and I can't stress this enough--a landlord wasn't going to hold a home for four weeks for them. But right before I could respond, Divine Providence jumped to my rescue. Mrs. Worrier (more on her in another blog too) had also sent me a text. She was on her way to Phoenix right then and needed me to stop what I was doing and rush over and show her six houses--none of which I had sent to her or knew if they were available. I was pleased to write her back, "Sorry, I am working with a client today. I am unavailable."
I will fast forward a bit. JC and Carlie are a super-delightful couple. Probably around sixty-ish, I imagine Polly will be just like Carlie at the same age. Both are artsty, girly-girls with a hippy bent. JC has a bit of a Chicago mob boss-vibe going for him. I liked them instantly. And even better yet, they liked the house we looked at!
Through the course of the showing, the owner, who wanted to meet them, showed up letting us know she already had three applications on the house. She liked JC and Carlie. Of all the applicants they seemed like the most stable, able to pay, long-term tenants she was going to find. However, Mrs. Landlord was not holding this home for them for the next 30+ days.
If they wanted it, she wanted to know, "What kind of agreement could we reach?"
Agreement indeed.
And then, with the position of power, Mrs. Landlord abruptly changed the subject and went around the home, showing Carlie all of the little ins and outs that she thought Carlie needed to see, leaving JC to ponder his options.
He took me aside, "What do I do? I have a place until March 1," he stated.
"If you back out of your two week rental, and loose half of the money (about $400), will it matter a year from now?"
"No." he said.
"If you don't back out of the rental and lose this place, will Carlie remember it a year from now?"
He didn't reply to me, but instead went directly over to Mrs. Landlord and agreed to take it on February 1.
Note: Now to be fair, Mrs. Landlord hasn't approved them yet. She needs to run all of the necessary background checks and verify what he is saying is true. However, once JC said he would move up the move-in date, she began talking as if everything was a foregone conclusion. "Here is your mailbox key." "I will have to get you a remote for the gate." (gated community.). "The HOA will come by on Tuesdays to trim your front bushes." And my favorite, "Would it be ok, if I had a plumber call you on Thursday to replace the hot water heater?" Hopefully everything will turn out great. And the best part, I was working with reasonable renters today and I will get paid.
As you can imagine, I told them how it would go. They would actually need to view the homes themselves because I don't do "legwork." My instructions were to get here and then we would go look. That actually worked out well because JC's mother lives in a retirement community and she has plenty of room. Plus, they had ALREADY rented a place for two weeks in Scottsdale for mid-February.
Over the course of the past six weeks, I have continually tried to educate them on the rental market. It is hot. There are multiple applications on any property they wish to view. Be prepared to be the best and there is no room to negotiate. There is no "nit-picking" because the three other applicants have already failed a time or two and are willing to live with what you aren't. And here was the major item: if you find a place, an owner is not going to hold it for you for four weeks. So, if they want to move in March 1st, don't bother looking until mid-February.
Saturday morning, I was holding an open house with Jane (more on the open house in another blog). In between my knitting project and sipping ice tea, JC and Carlie sent me a text message. They wanted to see a rental property RIGHT NOW! That was well and good and all, but I was a bit busy. I almost told them we could wait a couple of days, as--and I can't stress this enough--a landlord wasn't going to hold a home for four weeks for them. But right before I could respond, Divine Providence jumped to my rescue. Mrs. Worrier (more on her in another blog too) had also sent me a text. She was on her way to Phoenix right then and needed me to stop what I was doing and rush over and show her six houses--none of which I had sent to her or knew if they were available. I was pleased to write her back, "Sorry, I am working with a client today. I am unavailable."
I will fast forward a bit. JC and Carlie are a super-delightful couple. Probably around sixty-ish, I imagine Polly will be just like Carlie at the same age. Both are artsty, girly-girls with a hippy bent. JC has a bit of a Chicago mob boss-vibe going for him. I liked them instantly. And even better yet, they liked the house we looked at!
Through the course of the showing, the owner, who wanted to meet them, showed up letting us know she already had three applications on the house. She liked JC and Carlie. Of all the applicants they seemed like the most stable, able to pay, long-term tenants she was going to find. However, Mrs. Landlord was not holding this home for them for the next 30+ days.
If they wanted it, she wanted to know, "What kind of agreement could we reach?"
Agreement indeed.
And then, with the position of power, Mrs. Landlord abruptly changed the subject and went around the home, showing Carlie all of the little ins and outs that she thought Carlie needed to see, leaving JC to ponder his options.
He took me aside, "What do I do? I have a place until March 1," he stated.
"If you back out of your two week rental, and loose half of the money (about $400), will it matter a year from now?"
"No." he said.
"If you don't back out of the rental and lose this place, will Carlie remember it a year from now?"
He didn't reply to me, but instead went directly over to Mrs. Landlord and agreed to take it on February 1.
Note: Now to be fair, Mrs. Landlord hasn't approved them yet. She needs to run all of the necessary background checks and verify what he is saying is true. However, once JC said he would move up the move-in date, she began talking as if everything was a foregone conclusion. "Here is your mailbox key." "I will have to get you a remote for the gate." (gated community.). "The HOA will come by on Tuesdays to trim your front bushes." And my favorite, "Would it be ok, if I had a plumber call you on Thursday to replace the hot water heater?" Hopefully everything will turn out great. And the best part, I was working with reasonable renters today and I will get paid.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Out of the Mouth of Teens
As a parent, my children constantly challenge me, the way I challenge them. And this past week has been one of the more challenging. They went to a leadership and self development conference a few days ago where they learned a few tricks to make sure I was put in my place. And they have used them. All. Week.
Last weekend, Polly took it upon herself to tell me how something I was doing was bothering her. It was emotional for her. I had no idea. I thought she just wasn't understanding the 57 times a day I was nudging her to take care of this particular task. It turns out, she was just digging in her heels. Dang! I was so clueless. All that said, we sorted it out, with me no longer nudging. Instead, I am to use the phrase, "hot chocolate" when we get into that kind of space again. And I have noticed she is making an effort for me not to need to say, "hot chocolate" (over and over) again.
Additionally, I am struggling with the real estate business. All was going great when I wasn't focusing on trying to find clients, but the past two weeks my direction has changed. I need a client. Or want. Or something. Anyway, I want to figure out a way to make this work. And because my phone hasn't been ringing, self-doubt and tons of other ugly emotions have been creeping in and doing a tap dance in my head.
Last Wednesday, Buckaroo and I were eating tacos and he asked if all was ok.
ME: "No, Just worried about finding clients."
BUCKAROO: "Why?"
ME: "Because that's what you are supposed to do when you open a brokerage."
BUCKAROO: "What's the worst that could happen?"
ME: "I fail."
BUCKAROO: "What does failure look like? Have you failed before?"
ME: "Yes, remember the accidental business?" (as if he could forget)
BUCKAROO: "Did you survive?"
ME: "You are grounded."
BUCKAROO: "What else do you think will happen if you don't get clients?"
ME: "I will disappoint you guys."
BUCKAROO: "We aren't disappointed."
ME: "You won't have a good childhood."
BUCKAROO: "Stop right there, my childhood has been amazing."
ME: "We won't have any money in the bank."
BUCKAROO: "Like right now?"
ME: "You are grounded."
BUCKAROO: "What does success look like?"
ME: "Don't you have a taco to eat?"
Anyway, that was the gist of the conversation. Buckaroo is right. The world won't end. There is a certain amount of pride in going out on my own. El Jefe made suggestions that I couldn't do it without him and his crappy leads. Though I know that isn't the case, I also know I would prefer to have something coming in my pipeline. And today I am just getting in my own way.
Last weekend, Polly took it upon herself to tell me how something I was doing was bothering her. It was emotional for her. I had no idea. I thought she just wasn't understanding the 57 times a day I was nudging her to take care of this particular task. It turns out, she was just digging in her heels. Dang! I was so clueless. All that said, we sorted it out, with me no longer nudging. Instead, I am to use the phrase, "hot chocolate" when we get into that kind of space again. And I have noticed she is making an effort for me not to need to say, "hot chocolate" (over and over) again.
Additionally, I am struggling with the real estate business. All was going great when I wasn't focusing on trying to find clients, but the past two weeks my direction has changed. I need a client. Or want. Or something. Anyway, I want to figure out a way to make this work. And because my phone hasn't been ringing, self-doubt and tons of other ugly emotions have been creeping in and doing a tap dance in my head.
Last Wednesday, Buckaroo and I were eating tacos and he asked if all was ok.
ME: "No, Just worried about finding clients."
BUCKAROO: "Why?"
ME: "Because that's what you are supposed to do when you open a brokerage."
BUCKAROO: "What's the worst that could happen?"
ME: "I fail."
BUCKAROO: "What does failure look like? Have you failed before?"
ME: "Yes, remember the accidental business?" (as if he could forget)
BUCKAROO: "Did you survive?"
ME: "You are grounded."
BUCKAROO: "What else do you think will happen if you don't get clients?"
ME: "I will disappoint you guys."
BUCKAROO: "We aren't disappointed."
ME: "You won't have a good childhood."
BUCKAROO: "Stop right there, my childhood has been amazing."
ME: "We won't have any money in the bank."
BUCKAROO: "Like right now?"
ME: "You are grounded."
BUCKAROO: "What does success look like?"
ME: "Don't you have a taco to eat?"
Anyway, that was the gist of the conversation. Buckaroo is right. The world won't end. There is a certain amount of pride in going out on my own. El Jefe made suggestions that I couldn't do it without him and his crappy leads. Though I know that isn't the case, I also know I would prefer to have something coming in my pipeline. And today I am just getting in my own way.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Update on Diamond Jim
Tuesday Diamond Jim Junior called me. His father, our dear hero of this story, has decided we are all out to get him. We are the crazy ones and we are all trying to ruin his life. Actually, Diamond Jim apparently did not include me in this indictment, but given I am one of the masses who feel he is a danger to himself, I lumped myself into this category.
The truth is, Diamond Jim IS a danger to himself. He refuses to have a doctor diagnose him or get medication that may help him, so there is no legal grounds to help him at this time. But, Diamond Jim has wrecked one car from lack of cognition. He hasn't paid the tickets from that wreck, so there is probably a warrant out for his arrest. Half of the time I see him, he thinks I am his daughter or his landlord--and on one occasion insisted that a worker at his house call me to pay his bill. He is convinced a quarter of the time, 15 year old Buckaroo is Diamond Jim Junior. Jim isn't paying his bills, including but not limited to: his mortgage (Junior got his mortgage caught up last week), water, electricity, and internet. Internet isn't as big a deal, because that means he can't access the IRS site. And he thinks the rest of them (us, lump me in) are bullying him when they (we) say he should never, ever do taxes again.
Diamond Jim gets lost going to the basic of places and forgets who he is meeting. One biggie was a few months ago, old family friends called Junior. These folks hadn't talked to Diamond Jim in years. However, Diamond Jim was 40 miles from home and called them, wanting to know exactly which restaurant they were meeting at. Last week he went to visit a client (actually a past client,) to help him with his taxes. He was sixty miles out of town, going the wrong direction, before he called them and asked for directions. No meeting had been scheduled.
On top of all this, his pride gets in the way. So, in moments of lucidity, he will make up yarns to cover his tracks. It is frustrating, because I can't always tell if he believes his fibs or if he is doing it because he thinks he has duped me. He's a terrible liar. Junior and I have talked about this extensively. He can't decide either.
I was supposed to put his house on the market next week, but I am not going to do so with him there--besides, the place he was supposed to move into next month, Diamond Jim called and cancelled so he has nowhere to go. There is no point on trying to sell his home (I have a legal agreement to do so) under the circumstances because I can't guarantee I could even get in or bring a buyer in. Besides, where would Diamond Jim go now? He just lost his assistive care apartment family members pulled strings to get him into. Most likely if this goes on much longer, the home will go back to the bank because he keeps forgetting to pay his bills.
When Junior called Tuesday, he told me he needed to step back. I can't say I blame him. He and his wife flew out here, sorted all of his stuff, found registered letters from bill collectors, lots of rotten food and tons of other items that don't make the case for him being on his own. He said he needed a couple of days. I told him to take a week. I am going to. There is no way I am calling Diamond Jim under these circumstances. I do have a call into adult services to get some advice but that's all I am doing right now. My heart aches for Jim but it is probably best if we all step back. Hopefully when cooler heads prevail, it won't be too late to help him.
The truth is, Diamond Jim IS a danger to himself. He refuses to have a doctor diagnose him or get medication that may help him, so there is no legal grounds to help him at this time. But, Diamond Jim has wrecked one car from lack of cognition. He hasn't paid the tickets from that wreck, so there is probably a warrant out for his arrest. Half of the time I see him, he thinks I am his daughter or his landlord--and on one occasion insisted that a worker at his house call me to pay his bill. He is convinced a quarter of the time, 15 year old Buckaroo is Diamond Jim Junior. Jim isn't paying his bills, including but not limited to: his mortgage (Junior got his mortgage caught up last week), water, electricity, and internet. Internet isn't as big a deal, because that means he can't access the IRS site. And he thinks the rest of them (us, lump me in) are bullying him when they (we) say he should never, ever do taxes again.
Diamond Jim gets lost going to the basic of places and forgets who he is meeting. One biggie was a few months ago, old family friends called Junior. These folks hadn't talked to Diamond Jim in years. However, Diamond Jim was 40 miles from home and called them, wanting to know exactly which restaurant they were meeting at. Last week he went to visit a client (actually a past client,) to help him with his taxes. He was sixty miles out of town, going the wrong direction, before he called them and asked for directions. No meeting had been scheduled.
On top of all this, his pride gets in the way. So, in moments of lucidity, he will make up yarns to cover his tracks. It is frustrating, because I can't always tell if he believes his fibs or if he is doing it because he thinks he has duped me. He's a terrible liar. Junior and I have talked about this extensively. He can't decide either.
I was supposed to put his house on the market next week, but I am not going to do so with him there--besides, the place he was supposed to move into next month, Diamond Jim called and cancelled so he has nowhere to go. There is no point on trying to sell his home (I have a legal agreement to do so) under the circumstances because I can't guarantee I could even get in or bring a buyer in. Besides, where would Diamond Jim go now? He just lost his assistive care apartment family members pulled strings to get him into. Most likely if this goes on much longer, the home will go back to the bank because he keeps forgetting to pay his bills.
When Junior called Tuesday, he told me he needed to step back. I can't say I blame him. He and his wife flew out here, sorted all of his stuff, found registered letters from bill collectors, lots of rotten food and tons of other items that don't make the case for him being on his own. He said he needed a couple of days. I told him to take a week. I am going to. There is no way I am calling Diamond Jim under these circumstances. I do have a call into adult services to get some advice but that's all I am doing right now. My heart aches for Jim but it is probably best if we all step back. Hopefully when cooler heads prevail, it won't be too late to help him.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
The Unicorn
There are a couple of property management companies in town who give me rental clients. For the most part, these clients aren't felons and don't have dubious backgrounds, which is nice when you are trying to help someone rent a property. I appreciate them thinking of me, generally. Usually, I manage to help them out and in a few cases, I have even sold these folks a house. So, there are times rentals work out.
Today I got a call from a woman who has an 80 year old mother-in-law. Mom lives in an apartment down the street, and this coming June they want to combine households. She told me two statements that were of vital importance. First, she is a Gemini. She wanted to know my birthday and was thrilled I was an Aries. Apparently Aries and Gemini are compatible. I guess.
Second, and this was much more of an issue to me, she "needs" a two bedroom, 2,500 square foot home with a separate casita/guest quarters, in Chandler or Gilbert and it must be under $2000 a month.
Sure, there are homes that meet all of the above, except for her one and only deal breaker: guest quarters. There are homes out there which have guest quarters, but they tend to be high-end. And--and this is very important--THEY TEND TO HAVE OWNERS LIVING IN THEM NOT RENTERS. I mean, I did find one home with guest quarters. However, it is 9 bedrooms and located in Mesa. It was also $4,000 a month. However, this woman was hell-bend on NO Mesa ("It is just too unseemly a place, don't you think?" I didn't. I live in Mesa. I think it is a very well-run city with low crime and lower taxes, but I didn't tell her that.)
In these situations, with such a narrow criteria, I asked her if she would rather buy. After all, she can probably purchase something under those circumstances within her price range. But truly, the whole guest quarters aspect in a rental is making this search a bit difficult. I suggested two master bedrooms--there are floor plans with that as an option. She wasn't sure as a Gemini, she and her mother-in-law (who is also a Gemini) would have enough space.
We left it with me sending her homes and she opting to look on Zillow where "tons" (tons I tell you!) homes with the guest quarters/casitas exist. They are all right next to the unicorn farms.
Today I got a call from a woman who has an 80 year old mother-in-law. Mom lives in an apartment down the street, and this coming June they want to combine households. She told me two statements that were of vital importance. First, she is a Gemini. She wanted to know my birthday and was thrilled I was an Aries. Apparently Aries and Gemini are compatible. I guess.
Second, and this was much more of an issue to me, she "needs" a two bedroom, 2,500 square foot home with a separate casita/guest quarters, in Chandler or Gilbert and it must be under $2000 a month.
Sure, there are homes that meet all of the above, except for her one and only deal breaker: guest quarters. There are homes out there which have guest quarters, but they tend to be high-end. And--and this is very important--THEY TEND TO HAVE OWNERS LIVING IN THEM NOT RENTERS. I mean, I did find one home with guest quarters. However, it is 9 bedrooms and located in Mesa. It was also $4,000 a month. However, this woman was hell-bend on NO Mesa ("It is just too unseemly a place, don't you think?" I didn't. I live in Mesa. I think it is a very well-run city with low crime and lower taxes, but I didn't tell her that.)
In these situations, with such a narrow criteria, I asked her if she would rather buy. After all, she can probably purchase something under those circumstances within her price range. But truly, the whole guest quarters aspect in a rental is making this search a bit difficult. I suggested two master bedrooms--there are floor plans with that as an option. She wasn't sure as a Gemini, she and her mother-in-law (who is also a Gemini) would have enough space.
We left it with me sending her homes and she opting to look on Zillow where "tons" (tons I tell you!) homes with the guest quarters/casitas exist. They are all right next to the unicorn farms.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Update on Jane
I consider it part of a Grand Design that I met Mrs. Hufflepuff. Jane is now working at her brokerage and thriving. The two of them are very much alike and their personalities work well together. Jane even got a listing!
I still see Jane regularly, just as if we still worked for El Jefe. But now, Jane is in such a better place! She has had more training in the past two weeks than El Jefe and Senora ever gave her in the past 10 months. Mrs. Hufflepuff is teaching Jane how to do all the right things.
I am so happy for Jane. One is never a profit in their own family, and I struggled to help Jane be accountable and grow outside her comfort zone. Mrs. Hufflepuff is doing what I couldn't and El Jefe didn't.
I still see Jane regularly, just as if we still worked for El Jefe. But now, Jane is in such a better place! She has had more training in the past two weeks than El Jefe and Senora ever gave her in the past 10 months. Mrs. Hufflepuff is teaching Jane how to do all the right things.
I am so happy for Jane. One is never a profit in their own family, and I struggled to help Jane be accountable and grow outside her comfort zone. Mrs. Hufflepuff is doing what I couldn't and El Jefe didn't.
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