March 7, 2007
rule #1: don’t insult the realtor
Realtor: Okay, I think there are five houses in Pondwood* that we can see tomorrow.
Me: I’ve already seen the two that back on to Major Busy Street, and we’re not interested in those. Too noisy. But I would really like to look at the two listed by Local Realty.
Realtor: Sure, we can do that!
Me: Great!
Realtor: Now, have you thought at all about looking in Pigeon Springs*?
Me: Yeah . . . maybe. It’s pretty hit-or-miss there, frankly. Some parts of the neighborhood look terrible.
Realtor (after long pause): That’s where we live.
Me: Oh.
Realtor: But I know what you mean. Although I do have a house listed there, on a really nice street . . .
Me: Uh, sure! Let’s see it!
Right after I get my foot out of my mouth . . .
*Not the actual names. Promise.
Posted by Susan @ 2:03 pm • Uncategorized
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March 7th, 2007 at 3:23 pm, Karyn Says:
D’oh!
Although maybe she just SAYS that to prospective buyers who possess a conscience so that they will feel compelled to look at the listing she has on the really NICE street.
D’oh! Again!
March 7th, 2007 at 4:37 pm, Jack's Raging Mommy Says:
*forhead smack*
March 7th, 2007 at 4:40 pm, MamaChristy Says:
At least you didn’t say the WHOLE neighborhood is crummy.
March 7th, 2007 at 6:09 pm, candace Says:
I really, really thought that the asterisk was going to lead me to a sentence that read, “It’s actually Pondwood!” and I was going to say, “Run, run as far away from Pondwood as you possibly can! What a horrible name!” Thank goodness I was wrong.
March 7th, 2007 at 9:33 pm, Jenn Says:
I’d be worried that the realtor didn’t try and build Pigeon Springs up a little more… !
March 8th, 2007 at 12:17 am, Marmite Breath Says:
We ended up buying a house that our realtor owned. She didn’t tell us she owned it till after she’d showed us and we liked it. I did think it was sneaky though–what if I’d have said, “What a P.O.S house!”
PS) Have I mentioned your lovely haircut, Susan? It’s great!
March 8th, 2007 at 10:14 am, Velma Says:
I hate to say it, but I hope you don’t find a house for a while. I’m counting on your house search to provide me with entertainment over the next couple weeks.
(Just so you know, I wrote the above thinking, “Watch, now they will find the perfect house today, and it will all be because I said I’m such a bad person that I wanted to enjoy their agonizing home hunt.” So if you find the perfect place in the next few days, you’re welcome!)
March 8th, 2007 at 1:01 pm, The June Cleaver Diaries Says:
We were in the exact same type of house as the one you have now, and got approved for about the same amount as you. I was just giddy to have the ability to turn my nose up at perfectly good houses, for lame reasons such as I didn’t like the color of the granite counters, etc.
I was so used to extreme budgeting, mac and cheese for three nights straight, the whole deal. So when we got this opportunity in Canada, I almost passed out! Make SURE you get a master bath with a massive soaking tub—it’s my favorite part of the house! And a central vac rocks, too.
March 8th, 2007 at 1:02 pm, cce Says:
We totally offended our realtor, I’m sure, though she never said so and why would she when she’s making 6% of our purchase price. We sepnt four weeks going on and on about how people are crazy to spend 30K sending their kids to the fancy boarding school in town when the public schools are rated some of the best in the state. I mean, we went on and on. Brought it up multiple times, made snarky comments about the little snobs wandering around in their domain of privelege only to find out she sent her own children to this private and very selective school. Yikes! I felt bad for a minute and a half and then she laughed her way to the bank.
March 8th, 2007 at 3:49 pm, Anonymous Says:
There are sooo many desperate realtors in our area (SF Bay Area) that if you said that, the realtor would totally suck up to you and say, “I totally agree! And I *live* there!” At least she was honest with you. Also, a professional realtor knows that everyone is different in terms of home/neighborhood choices. So as long as you don’t insult her husband and children, you should be fine.
March 10th, 2007 at 12:51 am, The Daring One Says:
You are on the edge… of finding the perfect house. I can just feel it. What you need is a house with 2 bedrooms on a busy street with no backyard, a locked bedroom off the kitchen (way cooler than the laundry room), no laundry room so you’ll never have to do laundry again and a gazebo. That sounds about right and I just know you’re on the path to finding it.