Sometimes the roles and responsibilities of realtors can be a bit fuzzy. Not only do they liaise on your behalf when it comes to selling or buying a home, but for Sarah Vander Vloet, they also become instant babysitters! Listen as today’s guest, Sarah Vander Vloet shares her hilarious experience with Leigh that expresses just how much trust a client can have in their realtor. 

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 – Leigh welcomes today’s guest, Sarah Vander Vloet
• 01:35 – Sarah has been a licensed realtor in London, Ontario since 2011
• 01:42 – She works alongside her husband, Mike, who’s been in real estate for 10 years
• 01:47 – They sell real estate and comanage the StreetCity Realty Inc, a Canadian owned corporation
• 03:06 – Sarah’s story has 3 parts: a home that took extra time and effort to sell, patient sellers, and trusting buyers
  • 03:21 – This happened last February
  • 03:23 – The house listed was an older home
  • 03:32 – For older homes, they sometimes don’t give the exact age of the property
  • 03:46 – This home was sold to the buyers a few years prior but they’ve outgrown the property
  • 04:02 – There was full disclosure of the house which included some water in the basement
  • 04:49 – It was listed for 30 days before it got an offer
  • 05:03 – The buyers were quite disappointed
  • 05:35 – They received a mutual release because the buyers were looking for a newer home
  • 05:43 – A month later, they received another offer – a conditional one
  • 05:58 – It was a low risk offer
  • 06:11 – All disclosures were given
  • 06:21 – 9 days later, they received another mutual release because the buyer’s home sale fell apart
  • 06:53 – The sellers had breaks throughout the process, but they feltl a little disappointed
  • 07:10 – 10 days later, there came another offer
  • 07:16 – The low-ball offer was not accepted
  • 08:12 – While everything was going on, Sarah was in correspondence with some interested buyers
  • 09:09 – They made an appointment
  • 09:27 – The buyer was caught in traffic and texted Sarah that he would be late
  • 09:44 – A van pulled up and the buyer’s wife was going to work—she left the kids with Sarah in the front yard
  • 10:12 – It happened too fast that Sarah’s brain couldn’t keep up
  • 10:43 – She realized she was the babysitter and waited until their father arrived
  • 11:16 – The buyer arrived in a few moments and they ended up buying the home
• 12:49 – You should know who you’re meeting
• 14:00 – The public is spending a lot of time with their realtors
• 15:30 – Sarah remembers coming home and telling her husband about how she randomly ended up babysitting
• 17:00 – Reach Sarah through her phone 519-777-7205, on Leading London, or by email sarah@leadinglondon.ca
• 17:58 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. Not being able to sell a home can be frustrating, so appreciate those clients who remain patient.
2. Communication is of the utmost importance.
3. As realtors, be prepared to go above and beyond the call when it comes to your service.

Credits

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

Realtors help people buy, sell, or lease their homes, but when do their services and responsibility to the client end? A closing or a successfully sold property does NOT necessarily mean the realtor’s job is done. Leigh interviews Steve Weiss, a realtor of 32 years, shares about an after-sale issue where he sends his clients on a nice dinner out so that he could investigate a peculiar smell coming from under the house.

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 – Leigh welcomes today’s guest, Steve Weiss
• 00:56 – Steve lives in San Luis Obispo
• 01:26 – It’s located on the central coast, in between San Francisco and LA
• 01:49 – Steve has been in residential real estate for almost 32 years
• 02:58 – After 32 years in real estate and with tons of stories, Steve found it difficult to just pick one story
  • 03:16 – San Luis Obispo is a college town
  • 03:44 – Their real estate community has dubbed some homes by name
    • 03:50 – The Alamo – a house that seems to have battles all the time
    • 04:03 – The Fredericks of Hollywood – house that has whips and other crazy items hanging in sight of the public
    • 04:18 – PP Home – a home filled with ladies with paraphernalia and panties
  • 04:41 – Steve’s story was from the early 1990’s
    • 05:10 – His son, Eric, had a friend who was moving out
    • 05:19 – There was something strange about the home
    • 05:38 – Steve listed the home and it sold rather quickly
    • 05:54 – The buyer had a home inspection and termite inspection
    • 06:15 – There were numerous things that needed to be addressed
    • 06:23 – The screen that blocked vermin was needing to be replaced
    • 06:35 – They tented the home
    • 06:44 – The buyers moved in
    • 06:54 – A few days after, there was a hint of a smell and it kept getting worse
    • 07:24 – They called the fume company
    • 07:34 – The fume guy went underneath the house and found a dead skunk
    • 07:42 – The smell did not go away
    • 08:12 – The fume guy went under the house again, dug deeper and found another skunk
    • 08:58 – Both husband and wife were in tears
    • 09:09 – Steve gave them cash to have a nice dinner so they could see what they could do to eliminate the issue
    • 09:30 – After this issue, the husband woke up in the middle of the night and found maggots coming out from under the carpet
    • 10:35 – 4 months later, the seller came to town and ran into the new owners
    • 10:49 – Mrs. Buyer told Mrs. Seller that the house was haunted
  • 11:19 – Stop thinking about the money
  • 12:09 – Steve’s parents taught him to be compassionate
  • 12:48 – Make things right
  • 13:47 – Leigh suggests that realtors should have an emergency fund
  • 14:24 – Do research on the realtors you select
  • 14:55 – The worst thing a realtor can do is hide
  • 15:57 – Contact Steve on SLO Properties or call him at 805-886-1404
  • 17:25 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate 

3 Key Points

1. Always go back and double check items listed in the home inspection report to find out the probable causes for those particular issues.
2. Even if a house has been turned over, it’s a realtor’s moral duty to help the new owners find any underlying problems regarding the sale.
3. Always show compassion and make things right.

Credits

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

Home inspections prove to be an important part of a home buying process – it’s simply an opportunity to know a full, unbiased disclosure of the property you’re getting. Today’s guest, Pat Tasker from Milwaukee, Wisconsin shares her crazy story of a home inspection that will send you through the roof—or in this case, through the second floor, literally. 

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: 

• 00:21 – Introduction for today’s episode
• 00:38 – Leigh welcomes Pat Tasker
• 00:58 – Pat is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• 01:06 – She has been in real estate for 28 years
• 01:58 – Pat shares about the most crazy home inspection ever:
  • 02:05 – A couple was buying their first home – a Cape Cod house
  • 02:30 – Pat has always attended inspections because of 2 things:
    • 02:43 – She likes to know what the home inspector says
    • 03:01 – She’ll have to negotiate any problems
  • 03:21 – Mr. Buyer was following the inspector while Mrs. Buyer was upstairs with her camera
  • 03:37 – Pat was in the dining room with a mentee group of 6 agents
  • 03:48 – She was taking to an agent and she thought she saw something in the living room
  • 04:12 – Pat then thought she heard an egg cracking and she saw small debris falling
  • 04:28 – The ceiling cracked open and 2 legs came through
  • 04:41 – Her buyer was hanging from the 2nd floor down to the living room; she then fell flat onto the floor
  • 05:03 – Her buyer just missed a stone mantle, a foot away
  • 05:16 – Pat called the listing agent
  • 05:47 – The buyer fixed the ceiling after getting the house
• 06:31 – There are times where buyers forget that the house is still the seller’s house
• 07:01 – It was the buyer’s fault
• 07:18 – The buyer took full responsibility and the seller didn’t mind the hole until she left the house
• 08:36 – The buyer was too busy taking photos of the house that she didn’t notice where she was walking
• 09:38 – A home inspector told Pat that some agents get combative during inspections
• 09:54 – The home inspector should do his job in informing the buyer of the house’s condition
• 10:18 – If you can’t keep your mouth shut, don’t go to the inspections
• 11:22 – Reach Pat on her phone 414-588-4907 or on her website
• 12:13 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. It’s sometimes better to be present at home inspections, even if you’re not required to.
2. Buyers should remember to be always careful checking out a property – the house is still the seller’s property.
3. An agent should never interrupt while a home inspector does his job.

Credits

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

Alyssa did not think that leaving her keys behind would result in her breaking and entering in on her client’s condo unit..let alone that this would happen on her first showing ever. Bad luck? Perhaps. Either way, it was a lesson learned. Leigh welcomes Alyssa Hellman who has been in real estate since 2010. She is the head coach of Bamboo Realty, in North Carolina.

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: 

• 00:21 – Introduction for today’s episode
• 00:40 – Leigh introduces Alyssa
• 01:26 – Alyssa is the head coach at Bamboo Realty
  • 01:31 – Alyssa is not currently active in selling homes, but she has a team of agents
  • 01:54 – Alyssa started as an assistant in 2010, and grew her career from there
  • 02:40 – The difficult time in real estate helped mold Alyssa
  • 02:53 – “When you come in and the market is low, you know, sometimes you’re having conversations with people that really aren’t easy conversations to have”
  • 03:20 – Some new real estate agents come into the business cold and are thrown to the consumers
  • 03:48 – Alyssa’s experience, in 2010, made her comfortable with helping her clients
  • 03:59 – Alyssa learned quickly that she does NOT have all the answers
• 04:53 – Alyssa’s crazy story is one of the first deals she ever had in real estate
  • 04:58 – This was when Alyssa was not listing properties, but helping buyers
  • 05:01 – Alyssa’s team leader had a hot listing at that time
  • 05:11 – The seller’s daughter and her boyfriend were looking for a condo
  • 05:19 – Alyssa had never shown a property and her team leader told her to just call if she needed help
  • 05:38 – The couple and Alyssa went to visit a condo with a rooftop deck
  • 05:46 – They went into the unit, Alyssa left the keys in the unit, and went to the rooftop deck when a thunderstorm suddenly hit
  • 06:00 – The boyfriend shut the door behind him
  • 06:07 – Luckily, the seller had the windows slightly open
  • 06:31 – Alyssa ended up cutting the screen so they could get inside
  • 06:50 – Alyssa now will never leave the keys anywhere
• 06:58 – A broken screen is less of a liability than having people struck by lightning
• 07:38 – All the crazy shit that happens in real estate teaches us the lesson of what NOT to do
• 08:03 – The couple didn’t buy the condo
• 08:42 – Alyssa believes the seller was turned off by the automatic lock in the unit
• 08:50 – Leigh believes that any realtor who has shown a potential buyer their client’s home has locked themselves out or in of their client’s unit
• 09:16 – Fights among sellers, buyers and agents are becoming more common
• 10:08 – Alyssa learned about finding your voice in whatever communication method that works
• 10:18 – Alyssa tells her agents that they need to be comfortable talking with buyers, sellers and co-agents
• 11:20 – There’s an issue in the industry of people emailing rather than calling
• 12:02 – Alyssa’s mom would tell her that there’s an occasion to call, an occasion to write, and an occasion to see someone face-to-face
• 12:25 – Put yourself into the consumer’s shoes
• 13:23 – Don’t email in instances where there are questions that need to be answered
  • 13:30 – You’ve got to provide an opportunity for a back-and-forth and an opportunity to answer their questions
• 14:04 – Alyssa would recommend certain agents, depending on the area
• 14:21 – Reach Alyssa through her email and Twitter
• 15:26 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. Any terrible experience in real estate is an opportunity to learn what NOT to do.
2. Even when the market is slow in real estate, there is still much to learn as an agent.
3. Use your discretion when it comes to the RIGHT form of communication—does this instance require a phone call, an email, or face-to-face interaction?

Credits

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

Back in the day, when dealings for a home went down in person, you’d experience the joy, firsthand, from sellers and buyers alike, when they finally closed that deal. Pauline Relkey was able to share in the joy of a first-time homebuyer as they closed a deal in-person with the seller. However, everyone in that room got a little bit more than they bargained. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Pauline Relkey who has been in real estate for 26 years and is from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

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:

• 00:21 – Introduction for today’s episode
• 00:43 – Leigh introduces Pauline
• 00:55 – Pauline is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • 01:00 – Pauline has been selling residential real estate for 26 years now
• 01:30 – Pauline always likes to see the funny side in everything
  • 01:37 – Pauline’s story started back in the day, when they would still make offers in person
  • 01:53 – Back then, Pauline would call the agent, tell the agent about her offer for the listing, go to the seller’s house, meet the seller and agent, and present the offer
  • 02:15 – One evening, Pauline went to a seller’s house and the agent answered the door
  • 02:23 – Pauline and the agent went to the dining room where Pauline met the seller
  • 02:37 – Pauline’s buyers were first time buyers and they were very excited to buy the house
  • 02:49 – Pauline went ahead with the offer
  • 02:59 – Pauline got up from the table, turned around and saw the drapes in the living room
  • 03:16 – Pauline’s buyers were excited that the drapes were included in the sale
  • 03:40 – Then the agent cleared his throat and when Pauline turned to him, he said “Pauline your skirt is caught in the back of your panty hose”
  • 03:50 – Pauline had her “OMG” moment
  • 04:15 – The buyers got the house and the sellers accepted their offer
  • 04:24 – After their deal, the male agent quit the business
  • 04:50 – During the realtors’ function, Pauline’s manager was talking about her
  • 05:37 – “Life goes on, you have to laugh at yourself”
• 06:00 – Things may change over the years, but the excitement of a first-time homebuyer stays the same
• 06:34 – Even after 26 years, Pauline still gets excited with her first-time buyers
• 07:20 – Pauline likes convenience, but agrees that we lose the personal touch when we’re not face-to-face and can’t see body language
• 08:21 – The pantyhose story keeps Pauline relatable and human
• 09:05 – Reach out to Pauline through her website and by phone: 306-536-6545
• 09:53 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate 

3 Key Points

1. Funny and embarrassing things may happen—be able to just laugh at yourself.
2. Relating with someone face-to-face is the best form of communication.
3. First-time buyers will always have that excitement buying their first house—as a realtor, that excitement never gets old.

Credits

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

Andre is a superman when it comes to sales, but came into the industry of real estate with zero experience and zero knowledge. Regardless of this, Andre still managed to build his own successful real estate enterprise. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Andre Fajardo, owner of Advantage Realty Enterprise, which he started 4 years ago in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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:

• 00:21 – Introduction for today’s episode
• 00:47 – Leigh introduces Andre
• 00:58 – Andre is with Advantage Realty Enterprise which opened up 4 years ago in Raleigh, North Carolina
• 01:08 – Advantage Realty Enterprise specializes in new construction
• 01:17 – Advantage Realty Enterprise consider themselves as a specific brokerage
• 02:01 – Andre’s marriage is a testament to how a successful realtor can do so much more
• 02:18 – Andre shares his journey to becoming a realtor in Raleigh, North Carolina
  • 02:20 – Andre was born and raised in New Jersey
  • 02:25 – Andre has always been into sales
  • 02:50 – Andre and his wife went to North Carolina for a visit
  • 03:23 – They didn’t know anyone in North Carolina, but Andre just decided that they would move to North Carolina so he could sell houses
    • 03:34 – Andre’s wife agreed with him
    • 03:53 – When they got back home, Andre and his wife started planning
    • 04:06 – Andre had no real estate background
    • 04:29 – Andre and his wife have been together for 18 years
    • 04:35 – Andre’s wife has always been supportive of him
  • 04:57 – Before moving to NC, Andre learned about an opportunity to become a Legal Analyst
    • 05:14 – Andre got the job and was called the “firefighter”
  • 06:05 – Andre and his family stayed at a 1-bedroom condo when they first arrived in NC
  • 06:23 – Andre had an interview with a builder
    • 06:42 – “I was walking into the door there with only the sense that I know that I can do this”
    • 07:00 – When asked why they should hire him, Andre replied, “You don’t want me across the street, you know, because if I’m across the street, I’m going to be kicking you every single day, because I can not lose”
    • 07:26 – The builder believed and hired Andre
  • 07:52 – Through this, Andre learned that he had what it takes to be successful
  • 08:14 – Andre got his realtor license, joined Coldwell Banker, and stayed there for 8 months
  • 08:44 – Andre opened up Advantage Realty
    • 08:59 – Andre considers their company to act as a liaison to builders
    • 09:10 – Andre feels great about their decision
  • 09:28 – Leigh sees Andre’s experience as an inspiring one
  • 09:47 – When you go to any commission field, it is a leap of faith
  • 10:21 – The first thing Coldwell told Andre was to gather his influence
  • 11:02 – “Alot of realtors grab every deal they can, even if they don’t really know about it”
  • 11:47 – Andre shares why consumers would want his service
    • 13:14 – Andre’s job is to understand what his client is looking for and to point out how a property matches what they are looking for
  • 13:32 – Realtors get in the way of a sale to prove their expertise, but ending up losing a client
  • 13:50 – A consumer would still buy a house with or without a realtor
    • 14:29 – Andre firmly believes that if a consumer decides to buy a house, he will do it because he’s already decided
    • 15:00 – Andre thinks that a builder can’t connect with consumers well
    • 15:37 – There are still properties that consumers won’t find on the internet
    • 15:52 – Andre makes sure he has a thorough conversation with his client
    • 16:14 – Andre partners and acts as a liaison with builders and agents to understand their plans and goals for a property
  • 16:42 – Today’s episode is quite longer than usual because Andre’s story is different
  • 17:07 – Andre works opposite hours to his wife, so they can both take care of their kids
  • 17:25 – Most new licensee are afraid of jumping feet first because of the risk of failure
    • 17:54 – Andre’s father is from Dominican Republic and Andre was born in the USA
    • 18:35 – Real estate gave Andre the chance to change the course of his path
    • 18:48 – Andre came to NC, totally committed every single day
    • 19:00 – “I made the decision that this is going to work”
    • 19:32 – “There are people who you can relate to, that you can help to make their dreams happen”
    • 20:43 – There are people that can work their way up, because they’re committed
    • 21:06 – “It doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is, what your history is, there are people like you out there who need a home”
    • 21:26 – When they opened up the brokerage, Andre’s son told him that he can see the future
  • 22:11 – There’s zero excuse and zero experience needed to succeed
  • 22:56 – Andre also invests in the realtor political work
    • 23:00 – If you want to get involved, shoot Leigh or Andre a message
  • 23:20 – Reach Andre at 919-268-9884 and through social media using the handle @top5agent
  • 23:37 – Check com—they do a little real estate tour of new construction sites
  • 24:21 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate 

3 Key Points

1. As a realtor, you have to understand your client—know what they want and make sure they are perfectly matched with the property.
2. A consumer will buy a property, with or without an agent’s help.
3. There’s zero excuse and zero experience needed to succeed.

Credits

Audio Production by Chris Mottram

Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives

Cover Design by Two Minds Design

Original Music by Rimsky Music