Summary:

Being a realtor isn’t as easy as you think, especially for the newbies in the biz! Listen as Tara Christianson explains how her naivety made her spend $15,000 of her own hard-earned money for a single listing that she never even sold!

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:27 – Introducing Tara
• 00:47 – Tara started as an agent before transitioning to life as a technology and training director
• • 02:25 – Tara’s first listing was a $1.7M house
  • 02:55 – Her clients lied to her about the price
  • 03:08 – The market started to drop
  • 03:25 – Tara finally secured an offer for $1.4M
  • • 03:33 – By that time, Tara has invested already $15,000 in marketing
    • 04:48 – The listing has been up for 6 months
  • 05:02 – The owners declined the offer
  • • 05:19 – Why?—because they were just using their home as an ATM
  • 05:45 – The owners didn’t want to get the ‘embarrassment’ of a short sale situation, so they pulled off the market
  • 06:00 – Tara lost the $15,000 she sank into marketing and an additional $12,,000 in her first year of real estate
• 07:37 – Timing is everything in real estate business
• 08:25 – Homeowners don’t understand that there isn’t any expense account in real estate
• 09:36 – Sometimes, a short-sale may be the smart economic decision
• 09:56 – Reach Tara on her website or Tara@techwithTLC.com
• 10:43 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Think for yourself. Don’t do things just because people tell you to.
2. Always know the numbers.
3. Spend time developing the right marketing strategy—don’t just start marketing blindly.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Real estate sabotage?—Yeah, it’s a REAL thing, just ask today’s guest, Joslyn Solomon. She’ll tells us about the time she was trying to get a property sold, but kept encountering hostile neighbors, neighbors who used bees, Rottweilers, and live animal traps to make the sale an impossibility.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience. 

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:33 – Introducing Joslyn Soloman
  • 00:41 – Joslyn does residential real estate in Minnesota
  • 01:06 – Minnesota septic tanks freeze
• 02:06 – Joslyn has been doing real estate for 10 years
  • 02:26 – Started with foreclosure properties
  • 02:29 – Joslyn’s first foreclosed property was a run-down manufacture home
• 02:58 – She went up to the house and a neighbor comes along
  • 03:11 – The neighbor was instantly interested in the property
  • 03:38 – The neighbor comes up to Joslyn and says the house was a meth house
  • 03:55 – Neighbor reported the property to the county
  • 04:39 – Joslyn had to do an elevation survey for the house
  • 04:52 – Joslyn went up to the neighbor to tell him the price and he left
• 05:08 – The house’s first showing schedule
• 05:13 – Agent called Joslyn to say they can’t show the house
• 05:20 – The neighbor put beehives all over the driveway claiming it was his line
  • 05:50 – There were a lot of obstacles in selling the house
• 06:07 – Joslyn gets a call from an agent saying there are Rottweilers tied outside
  • 06:21 – Neighbor blocked the driveway by putting the dogs in long chains
• 06:49 – The neighbor submits an offer and Joslyn tells the bank not to accept
  • 07:04 – Joslyn found live animal traps all over in the house
• 07:24 – The guy got the house for 40% of what Joslyn listed for
• 08:59 – Don’t try to sabotage things for your own benefit
• 09:17 – What redemption means in Minnesota
• 09:48 – When redemption period ends, you’re expected to get out of the property
• 10:00 – Every state can be different with their laws
• 10:57 – Not every house is available at all times
• 11:37 – There are different and varying rules in every property
• 12:04 – Foreclosures are their own beast
• 12:36 –Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at crazyshitinrealestate.com
• 13:04 – Reach Joslyn here or call at 612 850 3153

3 Key Points

1. People will try to devalue any property to get it at a lower price so be aware.
2. It’s not always the owner or the buyer that has the problem. Sometimes, it’s the neighbor!
3. Some can suck—as a real estate agent, you have to get over it.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Realty is about more than making the sale—it’s about making the clients feel comfortable and, if need be, normal. And sometimes that means listening to the walls, or pretending to see “wonderful kittens” in a closet that doesn’t exist! Listen as today’s guest, Lani Rosales talks about her experience with a schizophrenic client.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:33 – Introducing Lani
• • 00:44 – Lani represents The Real Daily
  • 00:52 – She is the COO at the American Genius for Entrepreneurs
• 01:24 – It’s challenging to have a client who is schizophrenic
• 01:51 – Lani started as an on-site property manager for a luxury property
• 02:10 – One elderly woman won’t deal with anybody except Lani
• • 02:37 – Old woman wants Lani to see her closet
  • 02:52 – She said Lani would love the “kittens” – but there weren’t any!
  • 03:14 – The lady comes everyday to tell Lani about the “kittens”
  • 03:51 – Old woman starts calling Lani
  • 04:05 – The lady believed the soap used to clean the carpet “burns” her feet
  • 04:18 – Lani experimented with different covers on the lady’s feet
• 06:33 – It’s easy to forget how personal a transaction is
• 07:13 – Realtors should be honored to be part of the process
• 07:40 – Reach Lani here
• 08:00– Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Empathy is an important asset for any realtor.
2. Real estate transactions are personal transactions.
3. It’s not always about the pay check; it’s also about helping your clients out.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Imagine a client shooting off his finger because of anger –that results to non closing because he can’t sign! How out of this world is that?! Listen as Marsha Stowell shares about her experience on her very first client in real estate.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:30 – Introducing Marsha
• 01:21 – Marsha’s crazy story
• • 01:31 – Marsha’s first client purchased a house 2 doors from theirs
  • 02:09 – Clients and Marsha quickly formed a contract, a contract that would be closing in a week
  • 02:14 – Client said he didn’t have enough money
  • 02:29 – The wife calls Marsha
  • 02:33 – Marsha hurriedly drove up to the house
  • 02:37 – Wife brings Marsha on the yard and there was blood every where
  • 02:43 – The husband got angry and shot his finger
• 02:53 – Long story short, they didn’t get to close
• 04:12 – Reach Marsha on her website or at 423 534 0336
• 04:26 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Don’t shoot your finger off…how’s that for life advice?

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Moving into a new house might sound easy, but as today’s guests Clark and Elizabeth will tell you—it’s not…especially when you break your leg and forget to have the gas and water utilities turned on!

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:41 – Introducing Clark and Elizabeth
• 01:10 – They started by purchasing one house
• 01:38 – Working with an attorney to ensure the deal goes smoothly
• 01:57 – Elizabeth catches some bad luck—breaks her leg
• • 02:43 – At the emergency room, Clark offers to cancel his trip to Australia
  • 03:20 – They decide Clark shouldn’t cancel, friends help Elizabeth with their move
• 04:22 – Clark and Elizabeth benefited from a very nice, helpful agent
• 04:35 – During the move, Elizabeth got the electricity, phone, and cable all set up
• • 05:05 – But she completely forgot about the furnaces, gas, and water!
  • 05:53 – Clark also forgot about everything
  • 06:35 – As did the real estate agent
• 07:07 – The gas and water offices were closed Monday for holiday, so Elizabeth had to shower at a friend’s house
• 07:45 – Eventually, Elizabeth got everything in the house settled—including furniture—in spite of her leg
• • 08:01 – When Clark got back from AU, he suggested moving the furniture—Elizabeth shut him down, HARD
• 08:26 – It was a first time learner’s experience
• 09:38 – Elizabeth formed a community to help her during the move
• 10:40 – “Realtors, remember to help your clients out”
• 10:53 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Always create a checklist when you’re moving.
2. Always keep your friends and family close—you’ll need them when it’s time to move.
3. The first time you move will be a big time learning experience—there will be problems. Keep a smile on your face.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

If a property goes into the 40+ showing mark and it hasn’t sold, well, there’s probably something that isn’t right. Listen to this episode’s guest, Bunni Longwell, as she talks about her experience with a 40s showing, and how she had to get it right FAST.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:31 – Introducing Bunni
• • 00:43 – Agent for 15 years, located in Florida
• 01:26 – Bunni’s crazy story
• • 01:39 – The house Bunni was trying to sell had gone through 42 showing—showings she had never been present for
  • 01:55 – Finally, she decides go to a showing
  • 02:20 – On the 2nd floor and  looking out the window, Bunni can see the neighbor wearing nothing but clothes pins on his body
  • 03:03 – Bunni had to do double take to make sure it was real, then she closed all the drapes
  • 03:27 – Bunni called the seller and asked about the neighbor
  • 03:56 – The seller went over and talked to the neighbor
• 04:02 – Eventually, Bunni was able to put on a contract for the property
• 05:05 – It’s not always the agent’s fault.
• 06:23 – Reach Bunni on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or call at 727 460 8636

3 Key Points

1. It’s important for realtors to be present at some of the showings, if not all.
2. If a house isn’t selling, it isn’t always the agent’s fault.
3. Remember to consider the neighboring properties, and the behavior of their occupants.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Would you tap into your network to scrounge up $1.2M in 48 hours for a client looking to convert on a short sale? That’s what this week’s guest Tim Hur did! Listen as Tim explains how he was able to orchestrate the miraculous deal all the way to close.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:43 – Introducing Tim Hur
• 01:33 – Tim is a licensed realtor
• 01:52 – Tim’s crazy story
• • 02:07 – Tim had an independent firm working with international clients and celebrities
  • 02:31 – Tim won a bid where his client was paying cold hard cash
  • 02:47 – Everything that could go wrong did
  • 02:53 – 72 hours before closing, client informs Tim he needs another week for the money
  • 03:29 – Tim was frantic and the seller was upset
  • 03:51 – Through networking Tim was able to get $1.2M in 48 hours
  • 04:33 – Tim went to the attorney’s office and closed the deal
  • 05:02 – Seller stayed for a few extra days
  • 05:34 – Tim’s client was amazed at Tim’s efforts
  • 05:39 – The interest for the $1.2M was $200K
  • 06:05 – Tim got a call from the attorney saying the lender rejected the short sale
  • 06:33 – Then there was a title policy issue
  • 06:37 – The seller found out about the title issue and refused to leave the house
  • 06:54 – Tim, his client, and the seller’s attorneys had to get involved
  • 07:05 – In two weeks, the lender gave up
  • 08:26 – The fun part? The client doesn’t speak English!
  • 08:36 – On the 30th day of the 30 day note, Tim’s client finally pays
  • 09:23 – During the final walkthrough, Tim realized the seller took every single chandelier out
• 10:54 – Working with international clients can be a headache
• 12:05 – Remember to maintain good relationships with your network
• 13:50 – Relationships last far beyond deals
• 13:57 – Tim was able to get a few more sales from his client
• 14:30 – Reach Tim on Facebook, Twitter,  and Instagram
• 17:07 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Networking, in any industry, is key.
2. Remember to keep good ties with your network –they can save you someday, somehow.
3. There will be times that going the extra mile isn’t enough—you need to go the extra 100 miles.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

How do you think your seller would feel if they found out two agents were getting…frisky…in their home? Less than thrilled? Listen in to hear Sunny Lake describe how her seller reacted when two agents were caught getting down in a property they were trying to sell.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:31 – Introducing Sunny
• 00:54 – Sunny is a managing broker, responsible for  70 independent contractors
• 02:15 – Sunny’s crazy story
• • 02:58 – Two of her agents—married to other people—were having an affair in one of the properties they were trying to sell!
  • 03:20 – At first, the seller just thought it was another showing
  • 03:42 – But the seller kept noticing the same two cars, week after week
  • 03:55 – Eventually, the seller went into the house to see what was going on, and caught the agents in the act
  • 05:27 – One agent was fined $10K for improper use of a key
  • 05:39 – The other agent was fined $5K
• 07:23 – The whole thing was a giant shit show
• 07:33 – Both agents are still in the business and are quite successful
• 08:31 – The agents didn’t get in trouble with their licenses
• 09:05 – The number one danger in the industry is crappy agents
• 09:22 – Reach Sunny thru her email or on Twitter, and Instagram
• 09:56 – Text Sunny at 360-319-4750
• 10:14 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Realtors are not saints–they make mistakes too.
2. Get a room guys!—do NOT hook up on a client’s property!
3. The biggest threat to your real estate business is a crappy agent.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Nobody wants to be shamed in the public! Today’s guest, Kevin Tengan, will talk about the time another realtor not only publically harassed him for not signing some paperwork, but chased him out of the house and down the block!

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:37 – Introducing Kevin
• 01:11 – Kevin’s crazy story
• • 01:18 – Kevin was previewing properties in a neighborhood
  • 01:24 – Went into one house, the agent was in there, working on her laptop—she told him to sign in on the “open house sign-in” sheet
  • 01:50 – Kevin walked around and left, but didn’t sign the sheet—he has no legal or moral obligation too
  • 02:02 – Realtor called out Kevin for not signing the sign-in sheet
  • 02:40 – To which Kevin said “it was a public open house…I don’t have to sign anything”
  • 03:04 – Kevin turned around and just kept walking away from the woman
  • 03:20 – Realtor followed Kevin down the street, didn’t stop shouting
  • 03:40 – The realtor left the house unattended
  • 04:06 – Only when Kevin was several blocks away did she stop
• 04:46 – A professional realtor should always greet people
• 05:09 – It’s not illegal to not sign a sign-in sheet
• 05:55 – Reach Kevin at 808 725 2400 or on his website
• 06:16 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Not all realtors are friendly and accommodating.
2. It’s NOT illegal to not sign a sign-in sheet at an open house.
3. Don’t ever leave a house showing unattended.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

When the owner says “come on in” only to show you a naked person in their bedroom, what do you do? Andreea Alexandrescu will tell you what she did when one home owner did exactly that.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:39 – Introducing Andreea Alexandrescu
• 00:50 – Andreea started doing real estate in Romania
• • 01:00 – Finally started working in the US last December, specializing in budget homes
• 01:51 – Andreea has some buyers from New York, looking for budget homes
• • 02:30 – As they enter their third showing of the day, a house that is supposed to be empty, she gets a weird feeling
  • 03:20 – When they open the door to the second bedroom there was a naked person
  • 04:31 – Andreea didn’t have a choice—she continued with the viewing
• 06:55 – Andreea is fluent in Spanish, English, and Romanian
• 07:30 – Andreea’s buyers typically speak Spanish
• 08:00 – Call Andreea at 704-750-9593
• 08:40 –Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Never bring your kids to a showing.
2. For realtors, make sure that your referral partners can speak with the buyers in the language they’re most comfortable with.
3. Try to keep your composure at all times.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

If you’re going to sell your home, at least put some pants on. That’s what today’s guest, Jay Thompson, wanted to say to a pair of home sellers. Listen as Jay talks about the time he rolled into a showing only find both owners at home and buck-naked.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:38 – Introducing Jay
• 01:12 – “Perfect” in real estate doesn’t come often nor last very long
• 01:43 – Most of Jay’s crazy stories involve naked people
• • 01:55 – Jay setup a showing, seller said she’ll stay out of their way
  • 02:12 – And then the woman answered the door, naked
  • 02:32 – Turned out the seller was a nudist
  • 02:42 – Jay and his buyer toured the house quickly
• 02:48 – Jay’s other naked story
• • 03:12 – Jay opens the door with the buyer
  • 03:30 – Jay heard the shower turned off
  • 03:39 – The owner stepped out of the shower, naked
• 04:41 – 1/3 of every realtor group Leigh asked, raised hands to say they’ve seen naked people in a showing
• 05:25 – First question people ask, how do they look?
• 07:05 – Being a nudist can prevent the sale of the house
• 07:48 – Real estate is not like HGTV
• 10:17 – Real estate agents don’t get the credit and respect due to them
• 10:39 – Nothing is guaranteed
• 11:29 – Reach Jay through his email
• 12:05 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Crazy stuff happens—and it’s rarely the realtor’s fault.
2. All realtors try very hard to do a professional job.
3. At the end of the day, an agent can’t control the actions of a buyer or a seller.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Realtors aren’t supposed to be morticians, right? But what if you’re asked to confirm if the home seller is really dead? That’s the story today’s guest Jean Richer is here to share!

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:37 – Introducing Jean
• 00:49 – Jean comes from Ontario, Canada
• 01:32 – Start of Jean’s story
• • 01:55 – The other agent didn’t want to meet
  • 02:14 – The agent was supposed to show up to the property at noon
  • 02:32 – 4 o’clock still no answer
  • 02:53 – The agent had until 6pm to reject or accept the offer
• 03:00 – The agent calls the owner’s brother
• • 03:23 – Agent asks Jean to accompany her to the house
  • 04:10 – It was odd – the TV was still on
• 04:14 – They walked in and called the owner’s name
• 04:40 – Jean peeks through the bedroom
• • 04:50 – Jean sees the owner’s feet under the covers sticking up
  • 05:10 – The owner is lying on his back with his hands on his chest
  • 05:25 – Jean thought he’s dead
  • 05:47 – 911 asks them to touch him to see if he’s REALLY dead
• 06:05 – The other realtor volunteers
• 06:19 – The police came and drilled Jean and the agent why they were inside
• 06:40 – The worst part
• • 07:00 – They call the other realtor to say the deal is dead
• 07:33 – The owner died of heart attack
• 09:45 – Connect with Jean on his website, facebook, twitter, youtube, and instagram
• 10:08 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Sometimes, you run into a dead body…seriously.
2. When something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.
3. Don’t enter a house alone if it’s possible.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

“When there’s something strange…in your neighborhood…who you gonna call?”—ever since dealing with some ghost-hunting clients and selling a haunted house, Colin Cameron has been singing the Ghostbusters theme song big time.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:39 – Introducing Colin Cameron
• 01:03 – Colin is operating in Southern Pennsylvania, about an hour from Baltimore
• 01:50 – 2 years ago is when Colin jumped into the real estate business
• 02:18 – One Sunday morning, Colin got a call from a pre-approved client, Pam, using a USDA loan
• • 03:10 – Pam wanted to buy a house listed for $ 115,000
  • 03:25 – Right off the bat, Colin could tell Pam wasn’t usual thanks to her email address—“rikihealer”
  • 03:52 – Todd and Pam met at the house
• 04:08 – As they go through the house, Pam keeps her boyfriend Steve on FaceTime
• • 04:10 – Colin had to sell the house via FaceTime
  • 04:40 – This was Colin’s first sale, they put in an $80K bid, got the house
  • 05:33 – As it turned out, Pam is a ghost-hunter
  • 06:20 – Pam continues to do business with Todd, so they show another house out in the boonies of Pennsylvania—Pam loved the house, Steve wasn’t sure
  • 06:50 – Put in a bid, got the house
  • 07:10 – That’s when Todd starting having trouble getting a hold of Pam
  • 07:20 – Todd went out with his daughter in the grocery store
  • 07:25 – Gets tapped on the shoulder by an acquaintance of Steve
  • • 07:30 – He told him that Steve died that day
  • 07:45 – Steve had a heart failure but survived
• 08:13 – Pam called Todd about the appointment
• • 08:25 – Pam wanted to continue with the purchase because Steve didn’t die
  • 09:44 – They signed the contract and bought the house
• 10:51 – Pam did pre-occupation
• • 11:13 – They’ve now lived there for 18 months
• 11:25 – Todd doesn’t know how old the house is
• 11:54 – Pam figured out that the house is hunted
• • 12:20 – They’re having ghost tours in their house
• 13:04 – Pam and Steve’s Gettysburg Ghost Exchange
• 13:15 – Find Colin on Facebook or google him
• 13:35 –Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Learn how to manage transactions early.
2. Always try to help your client—no matter how different their lives may be.
3. Be prepared for your clients’ to die.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

What would you had an open-house scheduled, but hours before it’s supposed to start, you show up to find the place littered with empty beer bottles and naked people from a Halloween house party thrown the night before? Paula Clark can tell you what she did in that situation during this week’s episode.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:31 – Introducing Paula
• 02:51 – Paula’s crazy story
• 03:09 – A bachelor selling his home contacted Paula
• 03:39 – Paula told him her plans for selling the house—which included an open house
• 03:45 – Seller called Paula to inform her of his Halloween party
• • 04:23 – Paula wanted to push the open house (originally scheduled for the day after the party) to another day, but the client refused
• 05:10 – Paula arrived at the house at 10:30 AM
• • 05:28 – After ringing the bell a few times she hears laughing and giggling
  • 05:44 – Paula peeped in the window and saw naked men and women running around
• 06:05 – The client answered the door
• • 06:27 – At the same time, the cleaning crew Paula had scheduled arrived
  • 06:36 – Crew refused to work because of the naked people running around
• 06:50 – Paula told the client to throw them out of the house
• 07:27 – As Paula is going through the house, she looks over and sees a naked, erected guy, passed out on the couch
• 08:20 – Right then, the first open house visitor showed up and rang the doorbell
• • 08:32 – Paula had nothing else to do so she threw a blanket over the man, and told the visitors the house doesn’t come with the man
• 09:00 – 20 visitors checked the open house and the man didn’t move an inch the whole time
• 09:15 – The house eventually got sold
• 09:18 – The current owner’s sister is now Paula’s buyer’s agent
• 09:49 – You can’t always control the situation
• 10:30 – Reach Paula on her website or call/text her at 201-280-0056
• 11:17 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. The show must always go on—even in the face of naked men.
2. If your gut tells you to move the showing or open house—MOVE IT.
3. Sometimes, you just have to smile and laugh.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Have you ever had your client turn out to be a major player in a drug cartel? Todd Ferris has. Listen in to this week’s episode of and he’ll tell you all about it.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:33 – Introducing Todd Ferris
• 01:10 – Todd is married to Megan Ferris
• 02:01 – Todd’s top 3 list
• • 02:08 – Guns, drugs, and a potential kidnapping situation
• 02:30 – Todd and his wife were visiting a property
• • 02:39 – There’s a guy on the couch with a gun
  • 02:50 – Apparently he was a security guard and did not know about their visit
• 03:35 – Todd was working with a rental home
• • 03:50 – A family was looking for a rental home and they signed the lease
  • 04:08 – After 2 months, Todd got a call from the landlord about the tenant
  • 04:20 – Todd saw on TV that the family was involved in a drug cartel
  • 05:25 – Todd maintained his professionalism and resolved the situation
• 06:15 – #1 on Todd’s list
• • 07:08 – Went to show a house with a client, but the seller—in nothing more than a robe—was still in the house
  • 07:48 – The robed-seller followed Todd and his client all around the house during the showing
• 10:00 – Reach Todd here or email him.  Follow his Facebook and Twitter
• 11:15 –Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Get the seller OUT of the house before the showing.
2. If your clients seem seedy, it might be worth doing a background check.
3. Always stay professional.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Today’s guest, Megan Ferris shares not just one, but five of the craziest! Listen as Megan talks about drunk home owners falling down the stairs, tarantula-laden surprises, and a much unwanted gerbil.  

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:30 – Introducing Megan
• 00:55 – Megan is a broker agent in Indiana
• • 01:12 – Megan also has a podcast
• 02:23 – Megan’s top 5 craziest stories
• 02:53 – #5 – The Drunk Seller
• • 03:30 – In Indiana, sellers aren’t usually there in the property
  • 03:37 – They didn’t know the seller was there
  • 03:48 – Drunk seller led them through the house, bumped into the agent, and fell down a flight of stairs
  • 04:14 – Seller followed the buyer all the way to the car and asked if they were making an offer
• 05:00 – #4 – Side Table Surprises
• 06:03 – #3 – Animal Attacks
• 06:33 – Gerbils and Tarantulas
• 07:30 – #2 – Keys
• • 07:59 – Megan dropped the key on the porch
  • 08:14 – The key went right through the wooden slots
• 09:00 – #1 – New buyers from a referral
• • 09:34 – Out in an old scary house
  • 09:42 – Father and son makes gruesome, awkward comments
  • 10:19 – Megan wasn’t sure if they were serious
• 10:57 – Every single house they went into, there was something crazy
• 13:18 – Reach Megan at her website and on facebook or call at 317 4459 775
• 13:57 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Don’t get drunk if you have a showing, or if you’re going to get drunk, don’t be home!
2. Gruesome jokes, scary jokes, and otherwise inappropriate comments are not what you should say to your realtor during your first meeting.
3. If you’re showing your home, don’t leave your pets unleashed or uncaged!

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

From crazy squatters to different animals lurking on the property…from a machete-wielding weirdo to a suspicious-looking neighbor, today’s guest has seen it all. Listen as Julie Nikolaou shares her outrageous and eventful experiences with a bank owned property she’s currently handling in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:37 – Introducing Julie
• 00:59 – Julie deals with bank owned properties (OREO)
• 01:43 – The start of Julie’s story
• 02:03 – The ‘caretakers’ were not supposed to be in the property
• • 02:15 – They were squatters
  • 03:05 – Turned out to be “artists”
• 03:40 – Julie told them “Get evicted or leave on your own”
• 03:55 – Meeting the executor of the estate
• • 04:02 – There had been death in the property
• 05:11 – There were many creatures and ‘habitats’ in the property
• • 05:37 – The pond
  • 05:57 – The horses next door had been attacked by someone with a machete
• 06:31 – Finding about the old owner of the place
• • 07:22 – People coming out to the property to take things
  • 07:47 – The prior owner tried to buy a wife from Mexico
  • 09:03 – Did the owner die or did something happen
• 10:30 – Neighbor said the prior owner tried to sell his car
• • 11:37 – The executor warns Julie of the neighbor
• 12:35 – The squatters finally left the property
• 13:10 – Julie started cleaning
• 16:07 – Connect with Julie at RPM Homes
• 17:17 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. OREO properties sometimes have unwanted occupants.
2. You’ll never know what happens on a property visit!
3. Foreclosures are not always readily available.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Have you ever driven your clients around in reverse?—Peter Brewer has. In fact, he’s driven his clients around an entire island in reverse when the gearshift in his car stopped working. Hear Peter talk about that wild story and more during this week’s episode of Crazy Shit in Real Estate.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:27 – Introducing Peter
• 01:12 – Peter is based in Brisbane, Australia has been in real estate for 35 years
• • 01:21 – Started out as a regular salesman…now he’s an industry leader
• 02:12 – Real estate is all about perseverance
• 02:22 – Peter’s story happened Bay Islands in 1980’s
• • 02:56 – This is when it was about doing stuff the hard way
  • 03:00 – Mostly uninhabited
  • 03:15 – Selling between $7K and $8K
  • 03:53 – Dumpy old cars on each island
  • • 04:35 – Not only won’t the car start, but it won’t go into drive
    • 05:09 – Car was stuck in reverse, so Peter drove them around the island in reverse
  • 05:39 – The moral of the story—Peter sold a piece of property!
• 05:58 – The days of the single page contract are missed!
• 06:47 – Today’s realtors struggle to remember the days before fax machines, emails, cell phones, etc.
• 07:27 – We can all make excuses, but we can’t all execute on expectations
• • 07:54 – You’re paid to drive results
• 08:07 – The real estate industry is about driving results for the customer, never forget it
• 08:27 – Australia doesn’t have buying agents
• 08:40 – In Australia, the seller pays the commission—there’s only one agent, so buy beware
• 09:47 – Do you need a buying agent?
• • 09:58 – It depends on the resources available
• 10:14 – What a buyer agent would cost in Australia
• • 10:31 – 1.5% or 2% of the value of the property
• 11:05 – Most consumers have no idea what they’re doing when it comes to real estate—there’s a difference between having access to information and knowing what to do with it
• 12:39 – How to  reach Peter Brewer
• • 12:48 – ThatPeterBrewer.com
• 14:00 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. You’re in the business to make execute the deal—no excuses.
2. Understand that the real estate business is not universal—different countries have radically different processes.
3. Buying agents aren’t always necessary.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Ask yourself how it would feel to stand in the same room where an abusive husband is berating his wife about money? Can you feel the tension? Can you see the danger and the risk? Cassie Wells can because she lived that exact moment. In today’s episode of CSIRE, Cassie will share her crazy story and talk about some important real estate rights you might now be aware of.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience. 

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:30 – Introducing Cassie Wells
• 00:41 – Cassie entered real estate in 1995
• 00:46 – Cassie works with Crye-Leike Realtors
• 01:32 – Cassie’s past client referred her daughter
  • 02:01 – Her client refinanced the house and took the proceeds
  • 02:16 – Cassie and the wife listed and sold the house
• 02:30 – Right before closing, Cassie was told the abusive husband was expecting cash
• 02:57 – Cassie prepared with the title lady
• 03:27 – The husband had to come in to sign for the Curtesy and Dower Rights
• 04:40 – Cassie had him sign and he asked where the check is
  • 05:05 – The title lady explained the wife owned it before they got married and that the husband didn’t have any equity
• 05:28 – The husband politely left the building
• 05:48 – It’s a blessing to have different personalities in the room
• 06:42 – Make sure your realtors know all the elements in the equation things
• 08:13 – Connect with Cassie at cassie@cassiewales.com or call her at 501 993 1973 or check out her website
• 08:47 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Always be prepared. You never know what will happen.
2. If you plan properly, there’s always a way to get out of an abusive relationship.
3. Know the laws on the state you’re buying property in!

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

If you’ve been in real estate long enough, there’s a good chance you’ve run headlong into a hoarders—hoarders are everywhere!—and your next client could be one. Listen as today’s guest Sharon McRill shares her outrageous experiences with hoarders—from finding a single ruby earring in a room with piled up stock perspectives, to discovering photos from the 1930s and tracking down the original owner.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:30 – Introducing Sharon McRill
• 00:41 – Sharon is the owner and founder of Betty Brigade
  • 00:58 – Sharon works with hoarders
  • 01:43 – You have no idea what you’ll find in a hoarder home
• 02:18 – Sharon got hired to an estate sale inside the house and get all the stuff out
  • 02:32 – Her client hoarded stock perspectives from 1960s until she died in the 2000s
  • 03:02 – There were two rooms full of perspectives
  • 03:11 – The crazy part? There were actual live stock certificates and Sharon and her team had to go through each pile!
  • 03:25 – They found $8,000 cash, a gold coin collection, and loose gold
  • 04:36 – The daughter asked Sharon’s team to find a single ruby earring in the room
  • 05:08 – They found the ruby earring that had been in there for 30 years!
• 05:43 – Hoarding is an illness
• 05:53 – Sharon also worked with a lady who hoarded things she dumped out of her purse
  • 06:06 – There were gum wrappers, candy, half pens, crumbs, cookie packages, and all kinds of ridiculous stuff!
  • 06:35 – Sharon would put the blank receipts in the trash and the client would get it back because she couldn’t let it go
• 07:55 – Real estate agents walk away from listing these houses
• 08:22 – There is a way to get the hoarded items cleared out quickly without having to put them in trash
• 08:36 – Calling up an estate seller is not always the best way to go
• 09:04 – Sharon is picky with her staff and makes sure they are fully background checked
• 09:16 – There is no special insurance, just a bonding certificate
• 10:31 – Sharon is in the tool room of another client which hadn’t been cleaned for 50 years!
  • 10:48 – The tool room had layers of dirt and a lot of mice
  • 11:00 – Sharon found a cupboard with a tool shelf full of bank statements from the 1960s and 1970s
  • 11:41 – There were photos of the home owners from the 1930s which Sharon gave to the daughter
• 12:17 – Reach Sharon at Betty Brigade
• 13:00 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. Hoarding is a disease.
2. When working with a hoarder, always return what you find.
3. Secure a bonding certificate to protect yourself and your clients from liability.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

On today’s episode of Crazy $hit In Real Estate, Leigh sits down for an interview with The Real Estate Geek, Tony Iacoviello. Listen as Tony talks about the time he wandered into a nudist mobile park, only to end up selling and listing many of the properties in there. Tony will also highlight other nude encounters and explain how he handles a lack of clothing in the professional setting.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:37 – Tony’s introduction
  • o 01:00 – Tony does real estate in Toronto, Canada
  • o 02:24 – Tony seems to attract nudists
• 03:36 – Tony’s first story starts with the mobile home park
  • o 04:53 – Tony started working in a nudist trailer park
  • o 05:02 – Meet a lot of clients there
• 05:10 – Nudists don’t mind if you show up wearing clothes
• 05:25 – “You’ll hear a lot of stories there”
• 06:20 – Trying to be a professional, Tony took his first meeting with grace
  • o 07:02 – Try your best not to stare!
• 07:34 – Don’t talk about it (nudity) much
• 08:01 – Tony’s friend had monopoly on the park’s listings
• 08:26 – One gentleman from the park approached Tony
  • o 08:58 – The gentleman pulls Tony to the side and starts sharing stories
• 09:18 – Tony and the gentleman developed a certain kind of friendship
• 10:05 – Tony runs into the gentleman in the bar and the gentleman buys him a drink
• 10:20 – Tony and Mike were sitting at the bar and Bob comes in
  • o 10:43 – Mike says he gave Bob a heart attack 25 years ago
  • o 14:40 – Bob makes his way to Mike and Tony at the bar
  • o 14:47 – Tony quickly finishes up his beer to go home
  • o 14:55 – As Tony was about to excuse himself, Bob turns to him and says, “Did Mike ever tell you the story of how he gave me my first heart attack?”
• 15:25 – Tony worked as a buyer’s assistant with his friend on the nudist park
• 15:49 – Tony sold a bunch of the mobile homes
• 16:28 – Another nudist client emailed Tony
  • o 16:53 – The client wanted to sell his home and buy one in Hamilton
  • o 18:08 – The client says he wanted to be comfortable in his own home
  • o 18:18 – For the listing presentation, client says he wants to be naked the entire time!
  • o 18:38 – The client’s name was very similar to a person Tony knows
• 19:00 – Tony gave it a shot
• 19:37 – The client seemed to get the impression that Tony was going to get naked with him!
• 19:45 – Tony explained that he dealt with different clients with different backgrounds
  • o 20:45 – Hamilton is a multi-cultural place
• 21:06 – Client says he frequents one of the nudist parks – Ponderosa
• 21:26 – Tony declined going to Ponderosa
• 21:38 – Before going to the client’s house, Tony phoned his friend, Conrad
  • o 22:02 – “I just wanted you to know the lengths I would go to, to make you money”
  • o 22:09 – Conrad got nervous so Tony told him the story –and Conrad wished him luck
• 22:23 – Tony went over the house and the client was actually clothed!
• 22:47 – Client confirms to Tony that he’s okay with the nudism thing –and stripped down naked!
• 23:08 – They ended up the listing presentation that way and client again asked Tony if he wanted to try it
• 23:18 – Tony declined politely
• 23:57 – Find Tony through The Geeky Agent
• 24:06 – Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube
• 24:30 – Are you a listener with a crazy story to share? Ping Leigh at www.crazyshitinrealestate.com

3 Key Points

1. In real estate, you have to be prepared for everything—even nudist clients.
2. Respect other people’s beliefs and their way of life.
3. Decline politely when offered something you don’t want.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Do you smell smoke?—Wally Conway did. While one Jacksonville realtor was busy working about the house painters being able to finish their work, Wally was busy extinguishing an electrical fire that almost took a house up in flames…  

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes: 

• 00:30 – Today’s guest is one of the best known home inspectors in the United States, Wally Conway
• 00:45 – Home inspectors see crazy things, but they also HEAR crazy things
• 01:05 – Kids Say The Darndist Things?
  • 01:15 – Well after 22 years, 30,000 homes, and 60,000 agents, Wally also knows that Real estate agents say the darndist things as well
• 01:36 – The craziest thing Wally has ever seen was in the Ortega neighborhood of Jacksonville
  • 03:20 – No buyer at this point, just painters and the listing agent
  • 03:35 – “Hey Wally, I smell smoke”
  • 04:00 – Fire was coming out of the electric meter can
  • 04:25 – You CAN’T secure the power, if you do, the painters won’t be able to finish today
  • 04:55 – If we don’t cut the power, there will be no house to paint
• 05:40 – Should you or should you not inspect a home before listing?
  • 05:55 – Homes inspected before listing sell faster and closer to the asking price
  • 06:33 – As the agent, you never want to be the one to tell the home owner “your baby is ugly.”
  • 07:20 – MrHomeInspection.com or www.gohomepro.com 

3 Key Points

1. Inspect before you list—it’s the safe bet.
2. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, never forget it.
3. If you’re a realtor, never lose sight of the BIG picture.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Snakes, raccoons, dead cats?!—Those are just a few of the unsightly critters home inspector, Jeff Baker, has run into during the course of his career. Listen as Jeff takes the CSIRE audience through the oft overlooked UGLY side of home inspections.  

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:30 – Today’s guest is Leigh’s FAVORITE home-inspector in the Charlotte, NC market…please welcome Jeff Baker to the show
• 00:38 – Leigh and Jeff have done at least 1,500 inspections together
• 01:01 – He’s not cheap, but he IS honest which is priceless
• 01:53 – The UGLY side of home inspections
• 01:59 – A lot of times, the ugliness is due to animals
  • 02:10 – Cats under the foundation
  • 02:52 – Motionless fur...andddd possibly decomposing
  • 03:33 – New tub, new panels, but in one corner the panels were separating
  • 04:04 – Move the panels and, sure enough, there were 3 dead cats…the cats were getting into the house but couldn’t figure out how to exit the house
• 05:15 – Another incident with animals in the house
  • 05:24 – A family of possums
  • 05:41 – A family of raccoons
  • 06:00 – SNAKES!
• 07:35 – Circling back to the cats—the home owner told Jeff, “I was wondering where those cats went!”
• 08:10 – Call Jeff at 704-728-9610

3 Key Points

1. If you’re doing your own, preliminary home inspection—keep your eyes OPEN!
2. Home inspections are rarely fun.
3. More than anything, look for honesty in a home inspector.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Think working as a home inspector is a cake-walk?—tell that to today’s guest, Russ Hensel, who’s been forced to endure some pretty brutal inspections including one where the home owner decided to punch him in the face.  

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes: 

• 00:30 – Today’s guest is a very highly regarded home-inspector—Mr. Russ Hensel out of Southwest Florida
  • 00:50 – “If it needs an inspection, we do it.”
• 01:27 – The Craziest thing?—people with the nicest houses are the WORST to do inspections for, they take everything personally
  • 02:20 – One home owner punched him in the face
  • 02:43 – What do you do then?—he’s an 80 year old man, you can’t call the cops on him, and you can’t hit him back!
• 03:30 – Don’t let your clients assault the home inspector!
• 04:00 – A home inspection ISN’T a personal attack, but people WILL take it that way—mentally prepare for it
• 04:50 – In Florida, there are a ton of retirees and retirees LOVE to try and fix-up their own homes
• 05:26 – Russ doesn’t believe in pre-inspections
  • 05:54 – Get a licensed HVAC, roofer, and electrician to check out your house pre listing
• 06:40 – The purchaser needs to realize, every time you pull the home inspectors attention away from the inspection, you increase the odds of something being missed
• 08:15 – Buyers—don’t pester your home inspector, Sellers—don’t take comments on your property personally
• 08:50 – BestInspector.com

 3 Key Points

1. Not that we should have to say this, but don’t punch your home inspector in the face.
2. Rather than do a pre-inspection, just hire licensed roofers, plumbers, electricians, to come out and check out your property.
3. If you’re distracting the home inspector with questions, you’re increasingly the likelihood of something being missed.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Summary:

Meet Kamal Cheeks, the man who’s reinvigorating the metro Detroit real estate market one property at a time. Listen as Kamal takes us through dark days of Detroit real estate, when properties were selling for as little as ONE DOLLAR, to the brightening horizon of today’s market.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

00:30 – Today’s guest is one of the leading realtors from Detroit…please welcome Kamal Cheeks to the show
00:44 – Also the current president of the Detroit Association of Realtors
00:55 – Focused on preserving property rights in the Detroit area
01:05 – Detroit has been through some craziness unlike anywhere else in the nation
01:20 – Currently in the recovery stage, but struggling still
01:45 – Defining how Detroit is struggling
02:05 – The majority of properties are WAY less than you’d see across America
02:25 – Brick, 3 BR houses are selling for $500 to $1000 in property auctions
03:00 – How a foreclosure auction works
03:10 – Many of these bids are sight unseen—it requires a lot of caution
03:37 – Hire a realtor to do the due diligence
04:05 – In one block you can go from a nice neighborhood to what amounts to a demilitarized zone
05:00 – What due diligence looks like in Detroit
05:20 – Always serve a realtor who knows Detroit, specifically metro Detroit
07:35 – When shopping for property in Detroit, find a realtor that is plugged-in politically as well
08:30 – Right now there is a ton of money being invested in Detroit because the market has been so depressed
09:49 – Talking about the “Dark Times” of Detroit
10:08 – Tax foreclosure homes were selling for (literally) $1
10:35 – The Detroit Association of Realtors partnered with the Wayne County Treasurers Office to help get these homes sold
11:55 – Whatever doesn’t sell in the September auction goes to the October auction
13:00 – Get in touch with Kamal via Facebook, or Google the Detroit Association of Realtors, or call him at 586-298-1229

3 Key Points

• Don’t quit on Detroit!
• 3 and 4 BR brick homes are STILL selling for as little as $500 to $1000.
• If you’re going to shop around Detroit, you NEED to partner with a realtor who’s familiar with the metro area. This is a MUST.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music