The hardest part about Real Estate is not what you think it is - Written by Amanda Sponable-Pantalone
If I told you the hardest part of real estate is opening doors and finding which light switch turns which light on, would you believe me?
There’s nothing that pressures me more as a real estate agent than standing at the door of my next showing with my first time home buyer and their family behind me. Staring at you. I can feel their eyes and their judgements as I struggle to do something that most would consider to be so simple.
At first, I have to pray that the code works, or worse, if it’s a SUPRA (electronic lockbox opened by a Bluetooth connection with an app on my phone) that my phone will connect and it opens. The beeping tune that the SUPRA makes might as well be the Jeopardy jingle which adds even more pressure. Then once I get the lock box open, and that little key to the house comes out, the next step is figuring out which door it opens. You would be surprised how often a lock box will be at the front door when the key doesn’t even open that door. My buyer and their family have followed me around the whole house at this point. When I find the correct door, I see there’s a deadbolt and a door knob lock. Another little prayer is said in hopes that the door knob lock doesn’t need a different key because I, in fact, only have one key. I get lucky and the door knob is unlocked by the key I have. But now the deadbolt isn’t turning. Do I have to pull the door or lift it slightly so that the lock can turn and let us in? During all of this, I am trying to make casual conversation and hoping my buyer’s whole family doesn’t think I’m so incompetent I can’t even do the “simplest” part of the job. Ha… Turns out I have to pull and lift up the door to get the deadbolt unlocked. Phew… we are in.
Next it’s time to get some lights turned on. The first light switch I flick does nothing. Hmm weird. Now starts the fun guessing game of, is the bulb out? Was that switch to an outlet? Is the power even on??? I start flicking every light switch I see hoping that I get some light so my buyers can see the house. Otherwise I have to go dig through my car for my flashlight which is just going to make me feel like my buyer’s family wonders how I can walk and chew gum at the same time… Why is this buyer even using me? I clearly can’t do the most “simple” part of the job… lol… Ok, the kitchen light turns on! And the hallway, and the bathroom light! We are getting somewhere… now the WORST part ever. Finding the light to the basement. It’s at this time I accept that my buyer’s family is going to convince my buyer that they need to use someone else. But wait, I found ONE more light switch. I hold my breath, push it up. I would be lying if I told you I didn’t feel like the almighty, giving light to my buyers whole family who are using their cell phone lights to look around the basement. LET THERE BE LIGHT. Maybe now they will see they can trust me to help them through one of the biggest financial decisions of their life.
-Amanda