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Always Knock First (Episode 20)

November 14, 2014 Braden O'Neill

- Episode 20 -

After making appointments and getting the clear to “go and show”, I always make it a point to knock on the door of any home I am showing, whether it’s occupied or not, just to be on the safe side of not surprising anyone – including myself, or my buyers or sellers. Of course what people do in their own homes is their business, but you have to know how to adapt to the situation when it becomes your business.

Chelsea Handler, former late night talk show host, once said that “Florida is the epicenter of all things crazy” and on most days, I tend to agree with her. While I could never picture myself living anywhere else, it is hard to believe some of the stories that come from our tri county area. But “seeing is believing” and I guess that’s why things that I see or hear from my clients nowadays don’t really ‘shock’ me anymore.  

However a few from the past have left lasting impressions I just can’t shake. 

Florida is one of only a few states that permits housing in certain locations based on age. In a very popular 55+ community, all the neighbors remind you of your parents, grandparents and even favorite aunts and uncles who are enjoying all the things they planned to do when they had the time. I was taking a listing from a referral of a woman who bought her home from me a year earlier in the community. She joined her neighbors as I sat and did the listing presentation, and when we had the deal signed, I went from room to room photographing the property. Upon returning to the kitchen, I found my former client, and new clients, along with three other friends, smoking all sorts of “plant paraphilia”, laughing and drinking and inviting me to join them later that day at their “swingers club”. Smiling, I excused myself and left, but that visual of them enjoying their libations to this day remains.

I’ve walked into homes (after knocking) where the seller was fast asleep on the couch and we couldn’t wake them up. I’ve had sellers come to the door in their pajamas and underwear, and one owner met us in his birthday suit after we entered and even yelled “Realtor coming through”, but he didn’t hear us as he came walking down the hallway from the bathroom, totally un-phased by the whole situation.  

Still other sellers were skinny dipping in their pool as buyers walked through their homes, again unscathed by the visit but happy to answer all the questions the buyers had. I’ve walked in on arguments, mealtimes, and even parties, with all of the hosts being gracious enough to invite me and my buyers to join in on dinner or the celebrations.   

But my favorite of all was when I was meeting my buyers at a brand new home that I knew was vacant.   

We had seen it a week earlier and they wanted a second look before discussing an offer. I was running a bit late, so I texted them to say I would see them soon. When I arrived their car was in the driveway, but no sign of them, except I noticed the gate to the backyard was opened so I assumed they were checking it out again. I proceeded to open the front door. Upon entering, I noticed that the slider was open and I yelled out their names but no answer. I walked down the hall to the master bedroom and opened the double doors. To my amazement there they were “christening” the room. I cleared my throat as they looked up and proudly said without any delay or embarrassment, “we’ll take the house”.    

We closed three weeks later.


Kay Conageski is a professional Realtor® with The Keyes Company based in Plantation, Florida. Check out her RESAAS profile ›

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