I Need Another Vacation

There isn't enough time, cyber-space or sanity to tell you what the past few months have been like around the Sunshine household. Needless to say, I went to visit Jane just to get away from staring at my own four walls so I could stare at hers and wait. A few of the crazier items in our home that we had been waiting to spring to fruition were supposed to happen the week I was gone. That didn't happen, instead, while I was hanging out on Jane's couch, a whole new $**t-show landed on our lap. Jane told me I didn't have to go home. I almost didn't. 

Needless to say, lots of stuff happened last week. It is still happening. It will be happening until further notice. And it behooves me to find some houses to sell. 

I have a few clients who have been on the fence about selling. One is a delightful woman who has tenants in her house. She is in no hurry and I suspect nagging her won't necessarily get me any closer to listing the place. 

Then there's Dee--I love her! She needs to find a place for her tenants to go--like another house--before she can sell their current rental home. There's nothing currently for sale, so I don't see this happening soon.  

And of course, we have John, my brother's very nice but slightly high-strung conspiracy theorist friend,  who eventually wants to sell his mother's home in a retirement community. As we are getting to the end of the retirement community selling season (October through February), I'm not seeing this being a happy ending for the guy. Plus, I suspect the only good that will come from him as a client is blog fodder. 

As for anyone else, sure... I'm up for new clients. However, I hope they want to sell and move out of state. Finding anything to buy locally may not be in their best interests. 

   

That Took A Turn

I'm in McCall Idaho. I'm snowed in. Jane seems to think we are getting out today to go snowshoeing and she wouldn't mind buying a few groceries. I'm not sure that's happening. 

By the way, that road has already been plowed. Twice. They are expecting 15 more inches today. Jane's truck is that blue one in the bottom of the picture. 

Why I'm on Vacation

There are 35,148 people living in my zip code. 

There are only 10 (TEN) houses for sale in my zip code. 

In Maricopa and Pinal County there are a total of 3,218 homes for sale. Total. 

By the way, I hear it snowed in Phoenix today. The irony isn't lost on me. I'm in Boise and there is clear skies and no snow. 

Beth's New Adventure

A few weeks ago the Arizona Department of Real Estate was looking to hire an auditor. I heard about the job from several sources. I'm not gonna lie, I considered applying for it. Honestly, I was qualified.

The job in question was just what the name suggests: someone who audits. Think about an IRS auditor. The auditor would go into real estate brokerages, nose around the broker's files looking for errors and mistakes. If any are found, there are consequences in the form of fines, censuring, continuing education classes and much much more. 

When I was considering applying, I imagined what it would be like. Me, a bureaucrat, doling out policy and punishment (when necessary), being part of the Real Estate Commissioner's Inner Circle. There would be edicts and decrees and all that goes into being a government employee (with no disrespect intended at all to my dear friend who is a government employee). But I couldn't see myself in this role. I am not a cool kid. I am not a rule enforcer. I am not interested in purposely frustrating people and their livelihood all in name of government good. 

Now I know darn well, there is more than just this side of the story and the Department of Real Estate has auditors for perfectly good reasons. Trust me, I've seen my fair share of grievance committee complaints. Let's be honest here. My career trajectory isn't to sell real estate so I can graduate towards dictating government policy. Even if it comes with a steady paycheck and weekends off. I don't have it in me.

But you know who would be great for this type of position? Beth. My sorta teaching boss. She worked in HR for 25 years, got her real estate license, joined every real estate committee she could find, sold a couple of homes, opened a brokerage and then a real estate school. She likes policies and dictating rules. She loves being part of the In Crowd. Beth was born to Administer. 

And she got the position! In fact, even if had I applied, she still would have gotten it--she was already part of the Commissioner's Inner Circle. She has real estate initials, committee credentials after her name and is fluent in procedure manual.

I'm not being sarcastic when I say she will be great for this. She will. I'm glad she got it. I know her husband is disabled and I suspect this COVID time has hit them hard. I wish her all the best. 

There is one slight hiccup that involves me--or would involve me under other circumstances. Beth has to close her brokerage and her real estate school. That means I no longer "officially" teach for her. Not that it matters. She hasn't wanted me teaching for her in months. But perhaps I will start looking at other places to teach once the dust settles on a few other personal commitments I have going on. 

Doing Stuff

What do unemployed realtors do in their spare time--other than read (my latest is Erma Bombeck)? 

Hike.

Refinish old tables. 

Knit. 

Use up their expiring frequent flyer miles. 

Sigh

 

That Didn't Take Long

 Yesterday's E-mail from Sunday's Application: 

Thank you for your interest in the Customer Claims Specialist position.

We have reviewed many candidates, and unfortunately you have not been selected to continue in this hiring process.
Thank you again for your interest in our Company and best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Human Resources Department