It has been a while since…

It has been some time since we have written in our Adventure Blog. Partially because we have had an abundant amount of adventures and simply had not made the time to share them with you. With that in mind, we are sorry.

However, we are back…and getting reorganized. It is time to return from hibernation. A new dawn. A breath of fresh air. I feel a Tweeted attempt at a blog entry.

So without further adieu, stay tuned to new adventures coming shortly.

Things are heating up! “More Than You Expect…”

As our neighbors, friends and relatives circulate concerns of the market either heading up or down in the country’s economic abilities, guess what…the real estate market is showing some interesting new progress.

Being on the ground floor, our organization has always taken a moderate approach towards spending on large marketing campaigns and farming, as the values that we have sustained from the beginning were and are today:

“Work with people, help people, take care of people, and they will take care fo you”.

Since September 15, 2005 (the end of the real estate market as we know it) many wonderful things have come about.

1. We became closer to the clients needing our real estate guidance in effectively selling and buying new homes. This performed with a careful and sensitive approach to spending and selecting the right home, in the right budget, with forward looking perspective on the future.
2. Our organization has never depended on marketing of our company, but through the marketing of our properties. Money was invested in the relationship, catering to the needs, or limitations of our clients, and today nothing has changed.
3. Our Boutique approach to hand holding every client, every first time buyer, 2nd time, 10th and beyond has paid off two fold and allowed Four Daughters Real Estate to sustain consistent growth and flexibility.
4. “More Than You Expect from a Realtor”: When working with our organization you don’t just receive home sale and purchase guidance – but also a helping hand when moving, painting, babysitting and what ever it takes to help you move forward and handle a tough situation.  Although these are not services we charge for, giving a helping hand has no boundaries, and sometimes we are the only ones there.
5. Finally…the trust and confidence in our industry has been understandably disturbed, and like building blocks our goal has been to build confidence in you working with a Realtor, a trusted adviser, a dependable new friend by showing you class, respect, honesty and the attention you earned and deserve.

Now, the market has made some positive tracks this week. The misunderstood balance between the seller’s price and the buyers willingness to accept it has been getting closer, and today’s sellers are finally aware that being unreasonable is a thing of the past.  They are out there improving and reducing, to be within the proper Market Value.  This took over 3 years…and new homes are coming on the market in rapid numbers. Although there are many homes “under water” in their equity, many are doing all that they can to encourage a visit from reasonable buyers.

1 week from Monday through Sunday – a first of many. I’m holding my breath.

Realization: Step 1 of moving ahead =Pricing Your Home

Being that I am someone who reflects on his own actions (thanks Mom) it helps me to feel bad, quicker, but more so, make change much more rapidly happen. What could I have done to prevent future disappointment from a deal reaching fruition.  I have always recognized that real estate, economy, etc. are strong factors that affect people individually. Being that it is an individual journey, each person is affected and therefore approaches their circumstances from a different angle. Of course, there is a way to group circumstances into “most probable case scenarios”, but at the end of the day, this industry is a case-by-case adventure. This being said, I have realized that I need to make change to ensure the success of my clients, and that may include my professional guidance over their hopes (but in a structured manner). Let me explain:

• Sellers: When selling a home there are many prevailing emotions involved when going through the process, but regardless of what they are in the interim, the end result is always 1: How much do I get from the sale?
• Buyers: Many new, often exciting emotions circulate around this process, but the main 2 that buyers evaluate are: 1. Do I feel at home 2.How much will it cost me  (Caveat: #2 is always aligned to the comparables in the area serving as supporting evidence on how to negotiate. ) Being that Buyers are walking n and out of homes in a small -to-large geographic area, they begin to realize the shape, size, price, location of the home within the price range. When 1 homes is above the rest in all 4 categories, it becomes attractive and tempting, and feels like a good deal. When the homes are all in similar condition than it comes down to choosing which feels the best, subject to tough price negotiations. Finally, if priced toward the top with features toward the middle or the bottom – the natural response is “sellers aren’t realistic, lets more on”.
• Realtors: We are placed in the middle to objectively anticipate what buyers will perceive your property to be “viewed at” within the 4 categories based on Closed, Under Contract, and Not Yet Sold Active homes. As a buyers and selling agent I personally am exposed to the emotions of both sides, and how they can clash or mash. So the question becomes this: A seller wants to list and the based on comparables the value of the home is (for example) $285,000. You add to room for negotiation and suggest a listing price of $299,000. Sellers says, great….but lets list at $319k because I need to walk away at $300k.   We now opened the door to the conflict moving forward.

If you have 10 cars on the lot, each a 2009 BMW XYZ, fully loaded, same color, same features, but 9 are priced at $19k and 1 is priced at $27k because the owner wants to walk away at $24k how will the car sale result?

At the end of the day, buyers do their research, through the use of Realtors, Internet, and direct exposure to the competition. I respect “the need” portion, but it doesn’t change the “what it is” as the market value of that property.

On the flip side, here are the potential outcomes you can anticipate that repeat in our market:

(example: Market Value $285k  assuming the property is marketed with a realistic description and price reflects shape, size, etc.)

If listed at $299k: Priced according to the comparable properties, should begin to see traffic and being priced properly means shorter market time and a more probable $285 outcome. To ensure the price outcome, and maybe even gain a better return, make necessary changes to highlight the home such as fresh pain, carpet, clean out, and put it in a best showing condition.

If Listed at $309k: Probability of buyers looking between $300 – $325 is greater, therefore being compared to $324k homes which may be more impressive making this home look worse. Buyers will quickly recognize that the home may need some work, or it isn’t as big as the other homes they are viewing. Eventually, this will lead to a price reduction. Upon reduction $305 buyers begin to feel similar thoughts, and market time reflects stagnancy. This property may still be at the bottom of the homes being viewed and having less features. Additionally, homes being viewed up to $300 may overlook this home, or it may be show with anticipation of significant improvements over a home listed at $294k, but it is not, therefore it becomes a disappointment.

If Listed at $320k: The same rules from the previous statement apply, but chances are that the home will not get viewed as the pictures, description and features of the home are visible on the MLS, and websites, and when you view a 3bed 2 bath ranch with medium updates and no basement at $320k next to a 3 bed 2 bath ranch with a full basement and a new kitchen at $324k, it says it all.

The Good…The Bad…and What The?!?

To tell you that being a Real Estate Broker in today’s market is…challenging would be like saying that climbing Mt. Everest sounds like a nice walk. The hardest part? The rollesr coaster of emotions, promises, hopes and plans. Being in control of something is nice…and being on top of uncontrollable situations is something…but when you’re on top of your communication game and know what to expect next from your experience, and suddenly new curve balls are thrown, one after the next, that you had never experienced before…well, it can be tiresome.

Lets put some meat on these bones. Had a recent listing (for a year) for a very nice client who unfortunatelly bought the home just 2 years ago, and well…life took a turn. Now, faced with market conditions, so many job loses and lack of buyer activity the dilemma we faced was – how the home showed, how much was just invested in it, and how much we could get back. The property was partially repainted, listed and reduced and from weekly attention – open houses – snow shoveling and many price reductions I was advised that reductions are going to hurt the bottom line and change needs to occur. The change was me…
..and although I am perfectly fine with change – it hurt when I saw the property arrive back on the market with another local agent $30k lower than where I left off….
..What sense does that make?
Why didn’t I just drop the price?
What made that “important money become less important with another agent…?
Was I too honest? or was I a fool to think that my hard work and relentless determination could equal a higher price tag…

I don’t know. But 365 days, money and time were not enough. I probably should have been better and low bolling my own client…
…but I can’t.

If I had an HGTV show…

Seems like weekly people ask me if I watch HGTV, and some of my friends that love home design actually get frustrated that I stay away from these channels as far as possible.  Why? When you walk in and out of 70+ homes a week, you begin to realize that the majority of my buyers dream of wild kitchens and fancy long-haired red carpets in their living rooms, but they will never get them. I too love home decor, and find myself often imagining on what I would like to do to my own home. HGTV on the other hang, with their rude Realtors, and shmancy approach…well I think to myself, this isn’t my reality.

Here is a glimpse to one of my days, and you see for your self. This particular set of events dates back to a recent young couple I worked with…and continue to…as they have recently found their new home.

I woke up that morning at 9:07 anticipating to meet them around 10:30 am about 45 minutes from my office. I had scheduled about 18 homes to view the day prior, but not all agents had responded with a confirmation, so I knew I would have to make some follow up calls while in route. This morning was setting out to be adventurous as my wife and I hung out with some friends we had not seen in a long time, and well, the when I woke up…my head was hurting.

Shower….shave….get the lock box opener, listing sheets, flash light, and dressed warm as the temperature was around 28 degrees, and it wasn’t going to get any warmer.  I bring a flash light for two reasons – 1. Some of the properties were vacant, and in distress = may not have power. 2. Dogs…you know how I love dogs jumping out at me.

I routed the best route in my mind, and put the GPS to do the rest. Upon popping a couple of aspirins, and a tall glass of coffee, I was preparing for a long day. On an average I show 3 homes an hour, as most people decide within 10 minutes that they want to see more or less in a property, and then the commute to get to the next property. Nothing new…nothing different….or was it?

Upon arrival to the local parking lot in a town of Antioch, we greeted and they jumped in my car. I usually drive as gives us the opportunity to talk, discuss, and get to know each other better. This was a nice couple who are expecting a baby, and they needed a home to settle in. Our challenge was a balance between monthly cost + proximity to work + level of work needed within the home. The areas we were searching offered many properties, but our limitation was set around $180k, which meant we were looking for a diamond in the ruff and were going through a lot of fools gold.

On the way to the first home, I realized that last nights experience was catching up to me, and queezy was a nice word for what I was feeling. My clients were understanding and we even joked, but the joke was on me as the journey continued. We entered a nice neighborhood with promising potential, where around the corner from the property I noticed a young girl in (6-7 yrs old) running in the middle of the road. Being that I am a father of 4 kids, I was nervous that someone could hit her, so I pulled over and suggested she use the sidewalk. I pulled into the driveway….

…as we approached the driveway, nothing seemed unusual…ring…ring…

…a middle aged male opened the door with a cigarette in his mouth. He greeted us as we entered a small room filled with a thick cloud of smoke. I looked at my clients with a sick look as he proceeded to stand there silent with us. As you looked around there were stairs leading up, a closet door, another closet door, window and door. An unusual layout to what seemed like a basic 2 story contemporary. I opened the closets and began to take charge…utility room, laundry room…..where was the kitchen? Oh, the kitchen is upstairs, he said. OK – so we entered the front door into a family room, and that was it?

Yes…we went upstairs where a converted crazy floor plan had a kitchen next to a bathroom, and 3 bedrooms. Just weird….

The wife was starting to look sick from the cigarette smell…and we proceeded to leave.

Off to the next home … as we drove, I had received numerous phone calls from people looking to confirm additional appointments. Our next property was set in a distant neighborhood, on a large wooded lot. It seemed promising on the listing sheet, but upon arrival we noticed that the home was old and beaten on.  At the front door laid hundreds of bug carcases which I swept away by opening the front door. The home had a musty smell, and between the holes in the walls and abandoned feel there wasn’t much to look at.  Around the corner from the kitchen led a concrete stairway into a lower level. The wife was feeling hibby gibbies as we followed the husband down into what appeared to be a small room with deserted childrens toys. Beyond that room was another with a unique unfinished basement/crawl area. The husband (lets call him Bob) decided to dig deeper. As he entered the depth of what seemed to be mud hole he slipped and grabbed onto a piece of wood that broke off and landed him on his rear. Of course, my concern was that he hurt himself, but his wife (Jill) just laughed.  “Told you not to go digging in there….let’s get out of here!” and we left.

So far the search wasn’ revealing any jewels. Many homes to go, and my stomach slowly began to settle. After driving for about 15 minutes we arrived to a home set closest to a wooded beach. The are was common for water sports, as well as hunting and fishing. An unincorporated feel given by the heavy machinery often parked next and behind these homes. From tractors to car parts – everyone was a mechanic. This particular home had a long sloped driveway dunning about 300 feet on the side of the house, and behind it. As we approached the front door, I knocked and always ask my clients to stand back with the door open, in case I have to quickly run out. One foot after the next, I entered a home that appeared to be well taken care of on the inside, featuring a new carpet, large tv, even some attractive wall hangings.  Unfortunately it also had a feel as if someone was home, and being that this home was thin and long, I had a ways to go before I would find out.

The instruction on this home were ‘Do not let the kitten out.”

No cat greeted me at the door. A pair of shoes laid in front of the door, as if someone had just removed them. Each step I took, I holler “Hello! Anyone Home?! Hello!”, but there was no answer. Braced for the worst, I crept deeper into the home, while Bob and Jill stood outside waiting. I passed a long think kitchen knocking on doors, and opening closets. The bedroom revealed an unmade bunk-bed…and there he was…and innocent little kitten glowing his eyes at me. I still had some home to cover, before I could relax, and so I continued down the slim hallway, and around the corner. Next bedroom …empty. Another….empty. Suddenly I feel something behind me….quickly I turn around….

…there it was, the sweet little thing watching my every move. As I went to pick him up, I noticed that his mom woke up and approached as well. I wasn’t aware of two cats, nor if the door to that room was shut, but I recalled it being open. I told Bob and Jill to come in and warned them that there is a very cute kitten in the house.  While they explored the home, I continued to look with them, and yes, so did the cats.   So much so, that when we approached the basement, I tried to keep them away to make sure they didn’t go down there. Basement was a converted garage partially drywalled to look like a family room – but as the steam left our breath, it was not in a shape for my buyers. We came up, and as I shot the door the mama cat sneaks in behind me and runs downstairs. “Damn” – I need to get this cat.  While the kitten was being adored by Bob and Jill, I needed to trick the big cat into returning. Having that I owned 2 cats some years ago, I knew that if I shut the door, and make the cat curious, she’ll most likely come up on the own…but she didn’t. I decided to call the real estate office and let them know that I may have a problem, and was the cat okay in the basement. The lady on the phone laughed, but told me that she would alert the home owners to return or call right away…

…I suggested that my clients wait outside, and I will handle the situation as quickly as possible. I decided to trick the cat again, and after several time trying, and the little kitten trying to follow her mama, my plan worked, and I had both cats in the bunk beds, cozy and warm.  I walk out, lock up, and while smiling at Bob and Jill at my adventure, I walk out to see them contently starring at something by the house.

“Hey Mario, is that a dead dog a the bottom of the driveway?”

You have got to be kidding me…I walk over next to Bob, and there it was, a large dog like creature laying down, facing away from us, and motionless. Bob suggests that we go down there, but I hesitate as the way back to the car is uphill and distant.  He accepts my advise and decides to throw a stick near the body to see if it would get startled.

Nothing….

I call the real estate office again…”um, hi, um….I just called you about the kitten….well, its fine, but ….there is a dead dog in the driveway……..”  She says “OMG!”

Ya, I was over my hang over. What can you do, not willing to take the risk of going down there, it was time to go.

As we’re driving to the next home I wanted to make sure that my clients were okay, and the one thing we all agreed on was…it was turning out to be a very weird day.  From abandoned and creepy homes, to wet drippy unfinished distorted, disgusting and down right gross homes, the journey continued.

We stopped for a couple of burgers at a local hot dog place….we were overdue for lunch and had several homes to still cover. The next property was one they really were looking forward to seeing as it was near the downtown area, appeared to be updated, and even semi-attractive.  As we approached the neighborhood, driving along lakes and channels the speed limit was 50 and the sun was trying to burst through some clouds. As I approached, I came up to a pretty popular street where folks were pulling in and out of, but due to the angle of the street I was on, the cross traffic was busy and fast. As I come to a stop to let a car through, the woman looking away decides to “gun it”…right at me. The look on her face when she realized that she never looked in front of her, and that she was about to hit us, was frighting. Her shoulders peeled back, and the facial expression screamed fear. I moved out of the way as quick as I could, and thankfully she stopped just in time to elude my car. It was close.

We pulled in on the street, passing some very nice homes, and we enter to the back of the subdivision where the homes were smaller but in decent shape. “Finally, ” Jill said, “something that looks pretty decent”. I walk up to the front door…”knock, knock”.

Nothing.

A dog begins to bark and wildly scratching at the door. Suddenly, I hear a second dog barking and scratching equally wild. I’m starting to reconsider the feel good emotions about the home, and I give a look of disappointment. From the corner of my eye I suddenly catch a glimpse of a window blind being pulled down, and flinging back up like a rubber-band. I walk back to the front door, and knock. knock. knock.

Nothing.

It would appear that the appointment we had set was, well, ignored. I called the office that listed the home, and was told that someone will call the owner, but one ever called back.

Back in the car, reflecting on the crazy events that don’t seem to subside.  Couple more homes to go, and an arsenal of crazy stories, this was a day to remember.

Home before last was a property I spoke with the owner on. Took me about 3 days to get a hold of this guy, and when I finally got him…he was …..”pleasant” to talk to. I said 3pm, she said 6:30…I’m like “Sir, my client and I are driving on a schedule and we came from far away….I can show the home, but is there a time closer to the earlier part of the day?”….I don’t  think so, he says, but will find out.  There were two homes on this land, both rented out. The pictures looked promising – one small and one large home with parking for 4-5 cars. He advised me not to even attempt to show the small home as there lived a woman who was getting evicted, butter about the situation, and was not going to let us in. The bigger home we could show.

Driving through another unincorporated area, we find the home, and as I pull in I see the two homes.  As I park a black cat approaches my car and attempts to com inside. While I’m laughing, I am also checking out the surrounding as these properties are heavily distressed and not very attractive. I swiftly get out of the car, but suggest that maybe Jill hangs back on this one, and allows for me and Bob to just quickly check it out.  As I approach the larger home, I notice the curtains being pulled back. I knock on the door. A young latino man opens the door with a look in his eyes like he wants to kill.  His muscular jaw was clentched and fierce. He looked at me dead in the eyes….”I’m here to show the house…” I say with hesitation, thinking to myself, that I don’t like what may be on the inside. Am I about to walk into a gnag meeting? Are there dogs? Is this guy going to kill us?

He rolls his eye back and slamms the door in my face.

I walk away, and tell Bob to get back in the car. Bob recognized my uneasy return, and followed me back in the car. “I feel like I just saw the devil”. With an angry stressed out feeling inside prepared to drive away quickly in case someone came out of the house to follow….this was not the place to be.

As we drove away I reflected on how lucky I am for my wife and kids, and the friendly dog I have, and even the peeling wall paper in my front door hallway. I am lucky.

Bob and Jill laughed at the journey we shared that day. Although my days are often filled with much adventure, this day, I was grateful to walk away safely.

HGTV…? I don’t think so.

Reflecting…

It’s April, as I sit on a train heading east toward Chicago, I reflect on so much…the crazy times, so many great people I have met, even the aspect of writing here seems like a distant memory.

Today, I sit and talk about the good times, the fun moments, and today’s challenges. Agents and loan officers alike I have surrounded myself have always been top notch professionals. What made them fall into this category? Their drive and commitment. Yea, sure they are loyal, have brains to think on their feet, and all this wonderful qualities in a service pro, but the drive and commitment is a part of their character that came from them being naturally Good People. Ones that had a vision, and desire to network and work for people as well as with people…to provide service levels that outdone the competition and kept them moving through the tough times. Well….this time is o different, except….

Except the forces of Economy that has limited the types of loans, hug restrictions on the ability for buyers to purchase, Realtors who show home after home with the uncertainty if the buyer will drop off due to some unforeseen condition no one thought would ever affect a home purchase, but it does – deal after deal. And what about the People!? The home wishers, the wishing sellers that sit, and wait, and count, and wait, and grow in frustration, in the lack of motivation to wake up – prep the house – be ready, as the showing may come today, or maybe not for another 3 months.

Tough times are upon us.

As I reflect on how simple things seemed back then, and they were not simple I get a flash of hope that doesn’t permit me to give up, to give in, to quit. I, like many o my peers and colleagues have an internal mechanism that says, we started with nothing, and we grew, now we need to reinvent, pace ourselves, and not forget the people we service. We also cannot forget out families, kids, and spouses who supported our every late showing, our early frantic MLS searches, the middle of dinner negotiations.

To balance is to succeed. If greed was our cup of tea, we would not be us. Greed is a factor you deal with in this and may other businesses, but greed has never been a factor in my relationships, or the relationship is over. To balance is to succeed. Balance work with income, income with expenses, expenses with fun spending, spending to survive, survive to enjoy life, enjoy life with your close ones, family or friends. It all returns to them…so the challenge is making enough to spending enough time with family without working to make enough. (does that make any sense?)

2008 Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge

wow…what a blast. (My wife and I, along with some great friends and kids spent New Years Day partaking in a caaaarazy event, the 2008 Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge. Although we arrived nearly last, my daughter Kristine, her friend Michelle and myself dove into 38 degree Lake Michigan’s Door County waters….and what a way to start out the year!!!

I must admit, I was nervous and hesitant at first, and as we drove there, I was getting myself pumped for the experience, but once my daughter decided to do it, I knew i was going to be something I want to be a part of. So glad we did it.

Happy New Year Everyone!

if you first don’t Succeed…

Pete, a great adventurer, and awesome client, and now great friend, fought an uphill battle and ….well, you’ll see:Couple of years ago I was referred to a guy looking for a 2-3 flat in Chicago. We met for the first time for lunch at the Hancock, and in a nutshell…. he wanted an investment/new home. He was turned down by a realtor, told he cannot afford a mortgage, and was not feeling the vibe.  Once we explored his options, we realized that there is hope, not for sure, but having a solid mortgage lender and real estate knowledge helps.  Anyway…the story goes…. we started looking at buildings all over, trying to keep him close to the “L” and finding something that he can work on but that won’t fall on his head.  Our trips took us into some of the most dangerous spots…from drug dealers, hookers, and gang bangers to over crowded Chicago apartments, and more dogs.  One time we were driving through the southern part of Humboldt Park, and we got trapped after we turned into a street with much activity, single file row space to go, a car boxed us in, car stopped in front of us, as were hearing “crack” “crack” “crack” outside of the window of Pete’s tiny four door vehicle.  Nervous and scared, we pull a U-turn out of there, and drove laughing at the experience.  Guess where the next property was…. right back on that street…. needless to say, we passed it up.  One day we approached a 3 flat being foreclosed on in Humboldt Park.  This was it. Overlooking the dilapidated back porch, the mold in the basement, even the illegally finished basement, Pete was hyped. We went through a grueling process of getting the mortgage done, and it cane through. All we needed to do was to close. 2 days before the closing we get a call…the home had a Permanent Injunction on it, meaning the previous owner finished the 1st floor illegally, then kicked the inspector off his property with a loud mouth, and the city official…well, she didn’t like it. I spoke to her, and she was very verbal about the whole experience.  The sellers are trying to pawn this problem onto Pete, and then they attempt to charge $100 per day for every day after the closing, that we do not close. We caught a snag.After much deliberation, and convincing, it was time to lay down the sword, and step back. This was much to handle, and well, it would entail Pete going through court for something he did not do, and have to spend much money to …blah blah blah…. fix the problem.We were back on the HUNT!  After weeks of looking, we showed up at a very nice 2-3 flat…. another tricky property, yet this one in much better shape, nice area, and much potential.  Like a little kid, Pete was running around the house, talking with the tenant who was occupying the 1st floor at the time, and trying to move forward. Mortgage from stretch, another 30 days, and finally we arrive at the closing…umm…. there is no closing. WHAT!?!?!  I received a call from the mortgage lender…the bank ran out of money.  Hit me! The Bank ran out of What?! No Money. I have never heard of a bank running out of money….but…this one did…no money honey, and Pete is calm but confused as we all are. Phone call after phone call…for almost 2 weeks we turned over every rock, stone and boulder….…Pete received a call….…We’re going to close. This was the craziest experience, and Pete was so calm and cool through the whole experience, which taught me so much. Thank you. 

don’t look Behind You, but….!!!

I received a call from my client/friend, Jason, wanting to explore 2flats, 3, 4 etc in or around Lake County, and the nicest for the money took us out to Waukegan.  As we slowly familiarized ourselves with the area, we discovered many very attractive properties, of which most were non-conforming multi-units (meaning single family homes 70yrs old or older which were legal non-conforming multi-unit apartment buildings converted from single family homes).   It was a colder wintry afternoon, and our journey took us close by Lake Michigan, into a pretty area with a tall, bluish green 4 flat…once a single family farm house, with a large 2 car garage and a studio above it. When I made the appointment to see this home, I was given some specific directions such as: if the key works, then that’s the unit we should go into.I pulled up into the long narrow driveway, and Jason’s eyes lit up, as this was a very well kept property.  We open the garage, and went upstairs into the loft.  While we were up there, the garage door opens and a car pulls in. “I thought this was supposed to be vacant?” So we go to see who it is.  A very hefty sized middle-aged man gets out of the car, and gently interrogates us on why we are there. After explaining who we were and why we were looking around, we parted and headed for the front door.  I took out the key by the main door…. insert it into the door…. open…. see another door…. insert the key…open it…as we entered the unit both to our surprise we see that it is occupied and filled with dark furniture and many pictures…. pictures…. familiar pictures…. Jason and I look at each other as if it hit us like a bat in the head…pictures of THE MAN OUTSIDE! Just at that moment we hear something behind us…the large male enters his apartment with a roar…WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE!   GET THE F*&%k OUT OF MY HOUSE…I’M GOING TO GET MY GUN. The three of us cramped in a tiny doorway I’m trying to explain in 5 words or less that this is a misunderstanding. I DON’T GIVE A F*&*K WHO YOU ARE…. YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO GET OUT OF HERE…. we work our way outside, and I am showing him my business card and trying to explain to him that his landlord permitted us to enter the property but the listing office did not specify which apartment…. this man was pissed. Our hearts beating 110miles an hour, and us swiftly working our way toward the car, the disappointment growing that we will not see the rest of this home, and should Jason decide to buy it, that will be one of his tenants…. after we drove away, I don’t think either one could help laughing about how crazy the last 5 minutes were…. then Jason says, I think I want to come back with my wife. 

Merry Holidays

T’was the night before Christmas

And all through the city

No clients were looking

No agent felt pity

From hot to colder the weather would change

Anyone calling almost felt strange

But suddenly the feeling of Holidays came

No longer the market or agent to blame

As quickly as this year was nearing to end

It’s nice to slow down with warm coffee and friend

Happy Holidays to You all…hang in there and Best Wishes!

Mario Bilotas and Four Daughters Real Estate Team