To be fair, it’s certainly not as extreme as some jobs can be in the extreme cold! But when the temperature drops to face-numbing levels, even the simplest of real estate tasks can turn into unexpected adventures.

Here’s a peek at 3 surprising things agents have to deal with when it’s bone-chilling cold outside:

1) Frozen Lockboxes

Years ago, agents had to fumble with combination dials like they were cracking a safe in the Arctic in order to access the keys to a house. Fortunately most lockboxes work electronically now, but sometimes the key dispenser gets frozen in place which can take a fair share of banging from a nearby rock in order to get it to budge.

But even then, the fun isn’t always over… Sometimes the key is frozen inside the lockbox and you have to chisel it out of a block of ice!

2) Frozen Front Yards

When front yards freeze, good luck getting “for sale” signs in or out of the ground! New listing? That “For Sale” sign isn’t going anywhere. Closing day? The buyers may be stuck gazing at that sign on their front lawn until the first signs of spring.

However, there are some weathered agents (pun intended) who actually carry around drills in order to make starters holes for their signs.

3) Showing Houses That Feel Like Walk-in Freezers

Agents often have to show bank-owned homes that are completely vacant and have the utilities turned off because they were foreclosed. Somehow these houses can feel even colder than it is outside! The upshot is that it can actually make it seem tolerable outside… at least for a few minutes.

The post 3 Surprising Things Real Estate Agents Have to Deal With When It’s Bone-Chilling Cold Outside appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

Becoming a real estate agent can sound like the ultimate dream job. So you might find yourself intrigued by the “Now Hiring!” sign on a local broker’s window, or an ad they place online.

Before you get too excited, there’s something you should know…
Much like the word “cozy” is an agent’s polite way of describing a small house, brokers, managers, and recruiters tend to have some words that might make things sound better than they are in reality.

Let’s take a look at a typical ad, full of enticing promises:

Sounds pretty great, right? The type of ad that makes you think, “Wow, I could do that!” But wait—before you go grab your keys and jump into the nearest training program, let’s break down what they actually mean by decoding what they mean in that fake (but fairly accurate) list of promises brokers often make in their ad:

1) No Experience Needed!

Translation: That’s right! You don’t need experience in real estate to get started… just a love for paperwork, long hours, and dealing with people who think Zillow is a magic 8-ball for pricing.

But you’ll quickly learn that experience—and a ton of training—is the difference between success and total overwhelm. (Oh, and you might constantly be having to address how much experience you have with potential clients for the first 5-7 years before people stop asking and feel like you have enough of it.)

2) Flexible Hours – YOU Control Your Schedule!

Translation: Sure, if by “flexible” you mean you’re available when buyers and sellers need you—24/7. You won’t have a 9-to-5, but you’re also not necessarily living life on your own terms. Be prepared to work nights, weekends, and anytime your clients decide it’s convenient to call or text you.

3) Earn UP TO $100,000 in your FIRST YEAR with Unlimited Earning Potential!

Translation: “Up to” is the key phrase here. Could it happen? Sure. Is it likely? Not really. Most new agents will struggle to reach that number in their first year—or even their fifth year! Making six figures is certainly possible, but for many agents, it’s a distant dream, not a guarantee no matter how many years they’ve been in business.

4) Work From Anywhere!

Translation: Not only is this an option (as they make it sound), but it’s also a requirement! You WILL work from anywhere. But mostly in your car or at the kitchen counter while you scarf down dinner between showings.

Heck, you can even find yourself working poolside at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean while on vacation! So make sure that the wi-fi and copy machine are part of the all-inclusive before you book your trip… if you somehow manage to take a proper vacay.

5) Work With Different People All The Time—No Workday Is The Same!

Translation: This one’s actually pretty spot on. You’ll meet tons of new people—some will become long-term clients, while others will disappear on you like they entered the witness protection program after spending months helping them without ever buying or selling a house with you.

Your day will never look the same, but sometimes that means dealing with clients who flake, buyers who change their minds, or sellers who don’t understand why their house isn’t flying off the market at their asking price.

6) Be Your Own Boss!

Translation: Technically true, but let’s be honest: you’re still working for your clients. You’re also subject to whatever whims buyers, sellers, and their random “advisors” (a.k.a. parents or distant relatives) decide to throw your way. Being your own boss in real estate means you’re in charge of your success—and also at the mercy of everyone else’s schedule and expectations.

7) Help Make Dreams Come True!

Translation: Sometimes. Other times, you’ll be helping clients mediate petty arguments over paint colors, or explaining why a $200K budget can’t land them the 4-bedroom mansion they’re imagining. Your “dream-making” ability will often involve a lot of managing expectations and helping clients understand reality.

But hey, when you do close a deal, it does feel like making a dream come true… for everyone involved.

None of this is to say you shouldn’t become an agent, because it can be an extremely fun and rewarding career! It just means that not only should you read the fine print before signing up to become an agent, you should also read between the lines as well.

The post Decoding ‘Now Hiring’ Ads: What They Really Mean for Aspiring Real Estate Agents appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

While your agent is surely right there with you and chiming in with their take on the house, they’re also likely sizing up the situation in entirely different ways you might not even realize. Agents are often looking for certain clues that could make or break the deal if you decide to make an offer.

Here are five things real estate agents take note of while showing a house, just in case their client is interested in making an offer on it:

1) How Many Business Cards Were Left by Other Buyer’s Agents

Buyer’s agents often leave their business card behind to let the owner and the listing agent know that they were there. You might not notice them, but your agent is likely checking out how many business cards were left by other agents to gauge how many showings there have been, and how much potential competition you might be facing.

2) Which Agents Left Their Card

They may even take a closer peek at the business cards to see which agents have shown the property so they know who they’re up against in the negotiation ring if there are multiple offers.

3) Subtle Signs of Packing

Boxes tucked away in the garage, half-empty closets, or some missing furniture that they saw in the listing photos are all things your agent may notice, which could be subtle signs that the sellers are already packing up. It may just be that they’re getting a head start on their inevitable move, but it could also be a sign that they’re highly motivated, which is good to know when negotiating.

4) Signs That Someone Has Already Packed

If it looks like one family member’s clothes are conspicuously missing from the closet, or there’s only one toothbrush in the en suite bathroom, yet the tax records indicate two people own the home, that will be something an agent picks up on. It could just be that one of them has already moved due to a job relocation and their significant other will move once the house is sold… but it could also be a sign that they’re splitting up. Either way, it gives your agent insight into the seller’s situation and could be a sign that they’re motivated to make a deal.

5) Any Indication About the Seller’s Occupation

Seeing signs of a seller’s occupation—whether it’s a home office that looks like it belongs to a sales person, or a degree on the wall that indicates they’re a doctor, lawyer, or a teacher—can be more than just a fun fact. Your agent can use this info to get a feel for who they’re dealing with, and tailor how they present your offer and handle negotiations.

The post 5 Things Your Buyer’s Agent Notices When They Walk Into a Home… and Why appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

Then they usually get some training through the company they join, which is definitely more useful in terms of teaching them the ins and outs of working with clients.

But there are some things agents aren’t taught in either or those settings — yet, somehow, every agent seems to say or do certain things as if it were straight out of a new agent handbook.

Here are 7 unwritten rules that every agent follows, without having been taught:

1) Low-Key Stalking Open House Visitors

If you walk into an open house, there’s a 99.9%* chance the agent will instinctually say, “Feel free to look around, and just let me know if you have any questions.”

This implied freedom open house visitors feel will be short lived, however, because there’s also a 99.9%* chance they will then proceed to follow them around the house, just close enough to seem helpful, but far enough to avoid looking like a stalker.

It’s a delicate art of looking super casual, while trying to keep an eye on strangers roaming through a house you’re in charge of, and not so creepy that they won’t want to become their client.

(*These very specific percentages are 100% made up…)

2) Trying to Remember Which Lights the Owner Left On

No real estate agent leaves a showing without muttering to themselves, “Did I turn off all the lights?” There’s a ritual to it: a quick mental scan of every room, followed by a once-over of the house that may include retracing steps, flicking a switch or two just to be sure, while questioning whether that one hallway light was on or off when you arrived. This process may be repeated up to three times, just to be sure, even if it means being late to the next appointment.

3) Putting Some Lipstick on a Pig sty

When a potential seller opens the door to let an agent in to do a listing presentation, they somehow manage to hone in on something about the house to compliment within the first 30 seconds. The place could be an outdated pig sty, but they’ll still find some way to make it sound like the most amazing place they’ve seen in their career.

4) The FSBO Headshake

When driving by a “For Sale by Owner” sign, all real estate agents mutter, “Good luck with that,” followed by a disgusted shake of the head. This is often accompanied by a sigh or a quick prayer that the seller will soon come to their senses and call a professional… preferably them.

5) Point out Every House They’ve Sold…

Drive through any neighborhood with an agent, and you’ll inevitably hear, “I sold that house.” Often followed by, “And that one,” if you’re riding with a top producer. It’s a point of pride — a little victory lap as they mentally catalog their territory. If nobody is actually in the car with them, they’ll simply turn their head and look at it in silent recognition.

6) …or Even Ones They Didn’t Sell!

Honestly, if you’re in a car with an agent, they’ll probably point out houses you pass by, even if they merely showed the property to a buyer who never ended up buying it. For added credibility, they’ll mention something specific about the home, like the gourmet kitchen, the quirky layout, or that their buyer took a pass because of the funky smell in the basement.

7) Patting Their Pockets, and Jiggling the Locks

As agents leave a house after showing it to a buyer, they must:

• Triple-check to make sure the door is locked
• Pat their pockets to confirm they have their phone
• Make sure they didn’t leave the keypad they use to open lockboxes inside the house
• Jiggle the lockbox to make sure the key is secure

Having done all of that, there’s always that nagging feeling that something’s been left open, even though they just checked. In extreme cases, agents may even turn back after pulling out of the driveway, just to give the front door one last tug.

The post Unwritten Laws of Real Estate: 7 Things Agents Do Without Being Taught appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

Typically, people will ask something like:

• “How’s the market?”
• “Any good deals on the market right now?”
• “Do you know how much the house on ________ Street sold for?”

Of course an agent will gladly answer those, or any other real estate related questions you might have, while you wait for your turn at the register.

But if you want to make it more fun and memorable, here’s a list of 5 off-the-wall questions you can ask an agent in line at the grocery store to spice up their day:

1) “How much do you think this grocery store is worth?”

People often ask agents for on-the-spot values of their house, expecting agents to be able to give them an accurate estimate without even seeing the place. But probably be the first person to ever ask an agent to come up with a fair market value for the grocery store!

2) “Is it annoying that you have to look at your competition’s face on the grocery cart?”

Real estate agents are pros at working with their competition in order to help their respective clients achieve their goals. But how do they truly feel when they have to see a rival agent’s smiling mug plastered across a grocery cart, claiming to be the best agent in town?!

Let’s see if they’ll confess to giving those carts a little “extra push” down the parking lot, or at least covering up the ad with a stack of canned goods so they don’t have to stare at it for 18 aisles!

3) “Are those real estate brochures up to date, or are they still the ones from 1988?”

Who still looks at real estate brochures when you can see any house for sale online?! For that matter, who are the agents paying to keep those things in print?! The odds of the agent you’re talking to being one of them are slim, but not zero…

It’ll be hilarious if they still spend money advertising in them, and you end up making them question their marketing plan.

4) “How often do people mistake you for the manager of this store with that name tag on?”

When you wear a name tag as confidently as a real estate agent does, you’re bound to be asked where the canned peas are. Dig a little deeper and ask the agent if they’ve ever tried to fire someone due to a customer complaint they received.

5) “Are you holding an open house, or do you plan on eating all of those cookies you’re buying?”

Make sure to really emphasize the word “all” in this question, just to make them think twice before scoffing down an entire package of Chips Ahoy on the way home from grocery shopping.

The post 5 Off-the-Wall Questions To Ask a Real Estate Agent in Line at the Grocery Store appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

But the reality is, succeeding as an agent on any level is quite an accomplishment!

In order to even have a chance at succeeding as a real estate agent, there are certain traits and skills a person needs to naturally have, or train until they get really good at them.

While being in great physical shape isn’t required, there are 6 athletic events that would be a great addition to the real estate licensing exam, to see if a person will have what it takes to compete on a physical, mental, and emotional level:

1) The High Dive

Agents who plan on dipping their toe in and testing the water are a lot less likely to succeed than one who gets a running start and fearlessly leaps in, fully committed to the business.
The high dive would be a great test of an agent’s fearlessness, and whether they’re ready to dive into their career headfirst.

2) The High Jump

When a client says, “Jump!”, a great agent instinctively asks, “How high?” However, a successful agent also knows there are limits to just how high they should try and jump for some clients.

It’s one thing to clear a high bar set by a reasonable and appreciative client, but there are some times when you need to tell a client their expectations are way too high.

3) Surfing

Agents spend a lot of time surfing the multiple listing service trying to find their buyers the perfect house, and researching market values for their sellers, often while in the middle of several other tasks.

Having agents actually surf, while trying to get ready for an appointment-filled day, would test an agent’s ability to stay balanced while multitasking, keeping cool under pressure, and riding the wave of the market’s ups and downs.

4) The 100-Yard Dash

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a buyers’ market, or a sellers’ market, when a well-priced listing hits the market, it’s important that you get your buyers in to see a house before another buyer and their agent beat you to it.

But it isn’t just about being able to win a 100-yard sprint, it’s about having the stamina to do it across 100 actual yards, because sometimes it takes showing a buyer that many homes before they buy one! You don’t need to win every heat, but you need to be able to stay in the race until you win one with each and every buyer…

5) Hurdles

Rarely is there a day, week, year, or transaction that an agent doesn’t have to clear a major hurdle or two. Coupled with the fact that agents usually have several deals going at the same time, they’re almost constantly leaping over challenges with grace and agility. And in the moments where one trips them up, they need to be able to get back up and finish the race anyway.

6) Balance Beam

Finding work/life balance is difficult for many people, regardless of their profession. But it can be even more difficult for an agent, since much of their clientele need their time and attention during the evenings and weekends, in addition to all of the work they need to get done during “normal” working hours.

If a prospective agent can demonstrate the ability to stay balanced and focused on the task at hand, and then gracefully dismount for some downtime with their friends and family, there’s a good chance they’ll have the composure to succeed in real estate.

The post 6 Athletic Events That Should Be Part Of The Real Estate Licensing Exam appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

No matter how much an agent wants to swipe down and ignore a suspicious number — after unsuccessfully hitting up Google to see who it is, of course — they still feel obligated to answer every call that comes in. They never know if it’s someone who may be calling about one of their listings, and ignoring it wouldn’t be fair to their seller.

Perhaps it’s one of their buyers who has an important question and is calling from a work phone. Or, what if it’s a potential new client someone referred them to with the promise that they’re very reliable and responsive? Not answering wouldn’t leave a good first impression…

So, as you can imagine, real estate agents answer the phone for all sorts of callers on a daily basis! Here’s a look at 5 types of phone calls agents end up answering on a regular basis, that most other people are able to just ignore:

1) Telemarketers

Not that telemarketers are any more successful in selling agents anything…

… but those people calling about your vehicle’s extended warranty — or on behalf of the local fraternal order of police — at least get their call answered and a friendly “Hello?” when they happen to call an agent.

2) Politicians

Somehow politicians have been allowed to continue calling anyone they want without fear of being fined for hitting up someone on the do-not-call list.

But that doesn’t mean their phone calls get answered. But the minute their robodialer hits the number of an agent, the chances of them hearing a voice on the other end of the line go up exponentially.

3) Fax Machines

Who even owns a fax machine anymore, right?! Well, believe it or not, some agents still have them because there are occasions when you need to send or receive a fax from someone involved in a transaction.

But that doesn’t make it any less surprising when they answer their phone and hear the “Screeeeeech-be-do-beeep!” from some random robocall center using a fax-attack method of marketing.

4) Middle School and High School Kids

Kids these days prefer texting over talking, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their taste for a good old-fashioned prank call! But they’ve gotten more sophisticated about it, using the apps and tools available to help them mask their identity.

While other targets may just let the suspicious call go unanswered, if they prank an agent, there’s a good chance they’ll get to ask if it’s the correct number for Ima Wiener.

5) Wrong Numbers

And of course there’s always just the basic “wrong number” calls that come in. In this day and age of saved numbers and links you can click online it’s hard to believe anyone is actually dialing a number, but it happens, and agents are always there to answer the call when it does.

The post 5 Types of Phone Calls Real Estate Agents Answer Regularly (That Most Other People Just Ignore) appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

For instance, the temperature and blooming landscapes in spring can be beautiful, but it can also be a cold, rainy, muddy mess at times. And of course winter can be trying when it’s freezing out, and there’s snow and ice on the roads and walkways.

So, while it can be great to have those extra hours of sunlight to show houses during the summer, as you can imagine, the heat of summer can create some less-than-ideal situations!
Here are 4 things about showing houses during a heat wave that make real estate agents wish the winter would hurry up and get here:

1) Looking like the Lead Singer in an 80’s Rock Band

Humidity often goes hand in hand with a heat wave, so agents with any amount of hair have to wave farewell to their signature hairstyle and try to be seen as a rockstar agent, while looking like an 80’s rockstar!

2) Hoping Your Beads of Sweat Are Invisible

There’s no way to look cool, calm, and collected when you have sweat dripping down your face while talking to a client. Wiping them away with your bare hand or sleeve is poor form to do in front of them, so you gotta just try to ignore it and hope a client doesn’t notice.

3) Opening a Lockbox Is Like Touching a Curling Iron

In order for agents to get into most houses, they use a device which unlocks a “lockbox” which securely holds the keys to the house. Many of them have metal parts that heat up like a cast iron skillet sitting in the direct sun, making an agent actually yearn for the days of winter when you have to deal with lockboxes that are completely frozen solid and can’t be opened at all.

4) Some Houses Are Like Saunas

Most houses agents show have the heat on when it’s cold out, except for the occasional abandoned, bank-owned homes for sale. But not everyone has the luxury of central air conditioning… or even window units! The one benefit to showing one without AC is that it can make the sun beating down on you feel refreshing when you’re done looking at the house.

The post 4 Things about Showing Houses during a Heat Wave That Make Agents Wish the Winter Would Hurry Up and Get Here appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

1. 8%
2. 28.5%
3. 30%
4. 58%

If you chose any of the above answers, you are correct, because apparently there’s no consensus on exactly how many people do. Each of those percentages came up on the first page results of a google query looking for the answer.

Now if you were to poll real estate agents and ask how many of them had accidentally walked in on a homeowner or renter sleeping naked, you’d probably get about 100% of them saying they had.

Regardless of the fact that they almost always arrive having a confirmed appointment, and no matter how many ways they announce themselves upon arrival at every house they show, at some point in their career, almost every agent ends up walking in on a naked person in bed.

Ideally, the agent (and their clients!) are able to quickly avert their eyes, quietly close the door, and scram out of there without waking the seller. But there are times when a seller in the buff wakes up in a huff, and an awkward moment ensues.

Since there’s nothing specific on how to handle these situations in a real estate training manual, let’s just make some up…

Here are 7 ridiculous ways to handle the situation when you walk in on a surprised naked seller while touring a home for sale:

1) Pretend You Don’t See Them

You’re going to need quite a poker face to pull this one off, especially since they’re probably going to be screaming at you as you look around the room and check out the walk-in closet. But if you can manage to ignore them, it’s almost like nothing ever happened! Heck, they might even wonder if they’re just dreaming if you don’t interact with them.

2) Introduce Yourselves as You Normally Would

It’s only natural to introduce yourselves to a seller if they open the door to let you in for a showing, so why not just introduce yourselves when you meet them au naturale? Agents should approach with a business card in their left hand, while extending their right hand for a handshake. Buyers should be ready to say hello, their name, and a generic compliment about how lovely the home is.

3) Probe Them With Questions

Rather than let the owner make a big deal out of you walking in on them naked, take the offensive and pepper them with questions about the house. When was the last time the chimney was cleaned? Have you done any recent updates? Did you get permits for all of the work you’ve done on the house? They’ll be so concerned about not getting caught with their pants down, that they’ll entirely forget they don’t have any pants on to begin with!

4) Compliment Them on Their Next-Level Staging

Professional staging can help sell a house quickly and for top dollar, but sometimes it makes a place feel more like a showroom than a place where anyone actually lives. So pretend that you just read something in the Wall Street Journal about how Europeans are using “naked staging” to truly show how the space can be used. The owner will think it’s legit because you’re citing the WSJ, and that would be a very European thing to do.

5) Ask Them if They’ll Pose for a Sketch

Gasp and ask the owner if you could please do a charcoal sketch and capture their artful physique. It’s an honor to be immortalized by an artist, and who wouldn’t be flattered being asked to model for a true artist? That said, be prepared to run once they realize your artistic talents aren’t on par with Michaelangelo… or even an average 5-year old.

6) Pictures… or It Didn’t Happen

Everyone can appreciate needing proof when they’ve got a crazy story to tell. Level with them and say that there will be times when you absolutely must tell people this story, and without pics, people may question whether it really happened, and ask them to take a selfie with you.

Pro Tip: Disclose that the image may be used for such things as:

• Social media posts
• Comments within other peoples’ social media posts
• Pulling the picture up on your phone during a dinner party, or at the bar with friends
• Listing appointments, to drive home why homeowners should never sleep naked while their house is on the market

7) Make It Even More Awkward

Or you could just throw caution (and your clothes!) to the wind, and get naked. While it might make it more awkward for everyone else in the room, it’ll at least make the homeowner feel less awkward.

The post 7 Ridiculous Ways to Handle the Situation When You Walk in on a Surprised Naked Seller While Touring a Home for Sale appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

But even an agent’s staunchest supporters miss the chance to send them business because of some common misconceptions…

Just to make sure you don’t miss an opportunity to help your favorite agent, here are 5 common reasons people don’t send clients to their favorite agent. Be sure to ignore these if you find yourself thinking twice about sending them a referral:

1) You Think They’re Too Busy

Most agents thrive on being busy! And even if they get a little too busy at times, it certainly beats the alternative of not being busy enough. Don’t hesitate to send your favorite agent a referral even if it’s the busiest spring season in history, and they seem to be working 20-hour days; they’ll gladly add another client into their schedule.

2) You Think They Only Help Buyers or Sellers

Many agents do actually lean a little more heavily one way or the other. But while some agents work mostly with buyers, and others may work mostly with sellers, that doesn’t mean they won’t be glad to work with either!

So don’t avoid sending an agent a buyer referral just because they seem to have more listings, and feel free to refer a seller to one you think only works with buyers. If they truly do “specialize” and focus on one or the other, they can always politely decline and help you find another great agent to help the person you want to refer them to.

3) You Think It’s Too Soon to Refer the Client to Them

People often go through a long process before actually buying or selling a house. They may start thinking about it years ahead of time, and may say something to you about moving in a year or two.

While it may seem a bit premature to introduce them to your favorite agent if they’re not looking to move immediately, the earlier you can connect them with each other the better. The more time agents are involved with a person’s real estate plans, the more insight, advice they can give that’ll add up to better results no matter what (or when!) they actually put things in motion.

4) You Think the Price Range of the Buyer or Seller Is Too Low

Agents give the same time, attention, and effort to every client, regardless of the value of the house they’re buying or selling. Don’t think twice about sending them a referral for someone buying or selling in any price range!

5) You Think the Client Is Going to Be Difficult to Work With

It’d be amazing if every client was fun and easy to work with, but agents often have to work with “difficult” clients. Buying or selling a house is one of the biggest financial decisions a person makes, and it can be a stressful process, so even the most easy-going person can lose their cool or be demanding at times.

So, yeah, if you think someone you want to refer to an agent is difficult to begin with, they’ll probably try the agent’s patience at some point. But the agent is sure to take it in stride, and take pride in helping even the toughest client get through what can be some tough moments for anyone.

The post 5 Bad Reasons for Not Referring Clients to Your Favorite Real Estate Agent (Even If You Meant Well) appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.