Russell Shaw advertises on his radio ads that, “If you don’t like me, fire me.” I don’t advertise that same slogan, but I do believe in the philosophy. I know a listing contract is an agreement entered into by 2 consenting parties (seller and brokerage), and that for the contract to be terminated, it also needs 2 consenting parties. Thus the case that an owner cannot (typically) unilaterally cancel a listing agreement. That said, if an owner does desire to end a listing with me, I’m not going to put up a fight. I’ll learn what I can from the experience and move on. It’s happened before, and much as I hate to admit it, it will probably happen again.
Yesterday, as I was confirming a showing with a prospective tenant (to see my listing, as well as others in the area), I was informed that my services would not be needed. This was extra disappointing, because this was the first time a tenant prospect (we’ll call her Jill) had ever informed me (on her original phone call), that she was shopping for a REALTOR as much as she was gathering information about my listing. At the conclusion of this initial phone call (aka interview), I asked how I had done, and Jill answered favorably.
We spoke a couple of more times leading up to yesterday, and as far as a relationship built over the phone can go, I was optimistic a long term relationship was being developed. Yesterday morning I called around 9am to confirm what was supposed to be today’s 2pm appointment. The call lasted barely 5 seconds, as I was quickly dismissed. Ugh, I thought, that didn’t go well. Not knowing what line of work Jill was in, I decided I must have bothered her at work. 5pm rolls around, and Jill calls me back. This is when I get the bad news. Jill’s mom knows a friend, who knows someone with a house, and they’ll be renting that house. Apparently it’s too good a deal to pass up.
At this point, feeling a little depressed, but also still wondering about the nature of the phone call that morning, I ask Jill where she works. She replies with the name of a Gentleman’s club (I’ve never been in this club, but I did recognize the name). I won’t go into the details of which club, but I have to admit that I was speechless for a second or two. I don’t know why the knowledge of her profession (she described herself as a dancer, although I’m pretty sure it differs from the dancing that Kelley Koehler does) caused me to pause, but I have to admit that it did.
Long story short, or short story longer (not sure which here), I can’t help but feel an extra bit of disappointment with regard to this particular prospect. In my business I meet a lot of people from all walks of life, but for obvious reasons, this one intrigues me a tad more. I suppose the opportunity to learn a little more about the person versus the persona sums it up best. Although, feeling comfortable enough to pry into Jill’s personal life seems quite unlikely the more I think about it.
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I can’t wait for Part 2 in this story. Where you visit the strip club to find her.
Let me just clear this up right away: I’m a classically trained ballet dancer. A BALLERINA. Yes, I dabble in modern, a bit of jazz, even occasionally hip-hop, although I look exactly like you’d expect a ballerina to look trying to dance hip-hop. Closest thing I’ve done to exotic dancing is performing Arabian in the Nutcracker.
We clear now? (insert joke re feeble minds and ASU here)
Kelley, I’d kick his butt for even putting you in that sentence.
I recently had two tenants for one of my properties who worked at a long-established gentleman’s establishment on Grand Avenue. Must be a trend at the moment.
The good news is you only lost about $300 … much more painful when it’s a buyer than a renter.
Kelley- Sorry if I didn’t make the distinction clearer.
Dancer vs. DANCER distinctions aside…. Ugh and Ouch! Being fired hurts and I sympathize. I’ve been there, quite a lot this year.
A Buddist Realtor I know once told me that we’re all in our current profession to learn something, grow and hopefully become better people. Some of us have a fear of rejection, some an attachment issues, some are shy around strangers. Whatever it is, we end up in real estate to fix it.
My fear of rejection has been taking a beating this year!
Buck up!
There was absolutey no malice intended…I was actually trying to highlight the extreme differences, but re-reading it now, I can see I missed it. That’s what happens when this former engineer goes out on a limb.
FWIW, I rented the house today that I had hoped to rent yesterday. The owner is thrilled. The tenant moves in on Saturday. Everyone’s happy.
Completely off-topic, but I wrote my first reply from a Verizon store on a Blackberry. I was surprised it worked as well as it did. I’m probably 6 months away from trading in my RAZR, but when I do, some type of smart phone is definitely in my future. If I can generate blog posts and comment replies from my phone, that’s definitely going to come in handy.
And Atol, my primary mortgage partner emailed me nearly immediately about part 2…although I really don’t see it happening.
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