I was recently reading Mariana Wagner's post How To Be A SLIMY Real Estate Agent. If you read it you will see that the video was quite funny. But I would like to expose the fact that I am now called the "slimiest Realtor "in Florida...but in a different way.
Normally when I take a listing I pledge to devote all my time and effort into servicing the client by helping them understand our current market. I will also offer my services in another way. I am pretty handy and that has helped me cultivate even more business by offering a talent that most realtor's dread and that is by assisting my clients with manual labor. I know...manual labor? It isn't enough that I am always holding their hands and trying to make a transaction end up smooth. Last week I had taken this listing in Pembroke Pines Florida and it is priced pretty well and hopefully will sell sooner than later. When I met with the owners I mentioned a few things that needed to be done on the outside to make it more curb appealing. Two things I noticed that needed to be done was replenish the mulch in every bed in the front yard and one other thing....there was a bad case of slime growing all over the main entry archway. 
I told them it was not an insult to them but it needed to be taken care of and so I offered to help them remove it. Yesterday I put on a pair of old shorts and a t shirt and went to their home got on a ladder and sprayed a few coats of bleach on all the spots and let it sit and then I hosed it down. In the meantime the homeowners were staring at me and could not believe how great it came out and thanked me for thinking of a very easy way to remove it and it didn't cost them anything. After all was done I was now soaked from head to toe in dirty water and green slime that actually was stuck to my body.
I know that because I went the "extra mile" they will remember me and what I did for them. So now my good name in the industry has changed. Every time you hear the name Neal Bloom you will know that I am the "slimiest Realtor in Florida."
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Yay, Neal! From now through eternity, you will be the Good Realtor those nice people bring up anytime there is a conversation about Bad Realtors. Good on you! LOL!
Thanks Sarah I always try to keep my reputation in tact...even if it means being slimy!
I posted this to localism..hopefully they get a laugh
Now THAT is one dedicated professional :) You will be remembered and spoken of fondly by this client simply by being a hands-on problem solver! Way to go Neal.
great story - great advice to newbies that it isn't all about dressing nice and working in an office - real estate is an industry where you get your hands dirty...
Neal: You may have been slimey that day...but you showed that you go above and beyond the call of duty to make for a good all purpose real estate agent.
Great Story!!! Bravo!!
Neal, the Green Realtor.
I like the way that sounds. Keep up the good (and free) work.
Hello Neal
I prospect expired with vacant homes and often end up doing stuff like spraying hornets nests, in one case 12 that the previous agent didn't want to deal with, I've also maintained pools and helped clean out a house for a client who moved to the assisted living home.
I am careful to avoid liability things. Like i refused to spray carpenter ants and advised my customer to hire a pest service.
Great story and a whole new definition of 'slimy'...LOL
Gives a whole new meaning to Green Scene! Too bad we don't have photos of that for our get together :)
And you just realized this??? LOL. You are an awesome person! way to go the extra mile.
Neal...You really know how to provide service. Good for you!
...Jay
So do we get to call you The Green Slime now? :)
Jeff
Maybe you would like to go on Nickelodeon and really get slimmy.
Wow..I go out for a few hours and come back to this? Amazing! Thanks to all for contributing to my post.
Lisa,
Don't spread the word too much or i'll have to quit my job as a Realtor and be the de-slimer..
Sally,
We have to be ,that might set me apart from the others.
Maureen,
Thanks for reading and stopping by and commenting of course!
Robert,
When I meet you I will dress in green so you can recognize me.
Joe,
I am just a glutten for punishment..I have actually replaced molding ,fix switches,mulch,paint,just to name a few.
Jon,
Thanks and the thought came into my head after I finished and read Marianas post earlier and I said ..Hey I can use this.
Lysa,... dam spell check does not include you name!
I should have brought the camera for that one but didn't want to get bleach on it! I'll be sure to bring you guys a sample.
Christy,
Yes ..Neal the dummy thought an intelligent thought. does that make sense?
Jay,
I know how to provide service and I guess a good laugh too.
Jeff,
Call me anything you want and the picture is worse than my job. Usually when my partner calls me to see where I am ..I tell him I am cleaning off the listing slime..but this time it was really true! Thanks for the support!
Missy,
The picture made remember the show..thanks for your slimiest Realtor.
David,
Sorry I missed you there for a minute so you get the single treatment. Yes sometimes it is good to show the clients you are ready to get down and dirty..wearing the clothes doesn't always make the Realtor.
Thanks!
Only in Florida do you run into slimball Realtors.......jk..........
It's amazing what we do for our clients to get their house sold!! I know I've done my fair share of painting and "getting dirty"
Tracy,
Now if I can get someone to see I will be fine and a fine slimeball I will be!
Way to go Neal! I've helped my folks move in before..actually unload boxes etc.
When I read the title of your post. that green nicklodean slime was the first thing I thought of, funny that image was on your blog. What outstanding service you provide.
Neal, what great service you provide! Your clients will always remember the agent that went the extra mile! Great job!
Way to go Neal. I'm adding you to my referral list. You're exactly the kind of person to refer to!. -Charles
NB,
This is amazing! Who do you know to get this one featured?
Danny,
DUDE! Yes I have lifted a few boxes in my day and have moved lots of clients,family and friends.
Sara,
It was funny how the whole thing came to me at 8am this morning and I just started to write...
Suzanne,
Just call me the slimiest Realtor!
Jacqulyn, or Charles?
Thanks and ...ok where is the referrals already! LOL:)
Scott,
I didn't ask. I wrote it early this morning and when I came back from a few errands it was there. Maybe someone liked it?
Neal, I always had a feeling about you. And you've confirmed it. ;-)
Going that extra mile will reap you rewards, excellent story!!!
- Tchaka
Tchaka,
I am always doing the dirty work in my deals. The rewards? Now if I can only sell it.
Neal...
My downstairs balcony has a bit of slime problem could you come take care of that for me? LOL.
Great post and thank you for reminding me that I need to bleach the slime :)
TLW...ROAR!
Neal, You're making me look bad:) Ok I do all that and more...hahahaha. BUT I do it the easy way, I pick up the phone and call my crew:) I'm too darn fat to go climbing around on ladders. Plus I may break a nail. That's my feminine side coming out again. Hey did yo send me my prize for the beauty contest yet?
Wow I'm honored ..the husband and wife team...both comment back to back.
Billie,
As always I would be more than happy to remove you slime. Thanks and right back to ya!
As for BB,
I don't make you look bad..you just make me look good. As far as the contest goes..it was declared a draw since there weren't enough contestants so I didn't want to insult either of us.
O GOD NEAL... I came to your blog and if I don't post a comment you will know... cause I left my "tracks" in the recent reader widget.
You are totally tapping into my Catholic guilt!
Me
Neal: I speak dumbese, I understood perfectly....I am quite fluent myself.
Craig,
Yes I see you!
Thanks for skimming by.:)
Christy,
I am speechless.
Neal the Real Deal - and now you can add 'slimey' to it! ;-)
Great job for your clients, even if you do get a tad slimey in the process. Speaking of which, care to get on a plane and come on up north for a bit? That is, after you head over to TLW's shan-gri-la...! ;-)
Nice job, and those clients of yours will be your 'raving fans' for sure!
Ann
Hi Ann,
I'll actually be in AZ for a week ..2 weeks before the Florida get together so I doubt I will be dong too much travel after that. I have to be around just in case a buyer finds their way to my door. I would love to go but travel will be a bit difficult after the trip to AZ. I'll get up there one of these days.
We are taking our first family real vacation in 10 yrs. Hey I'm a softy when it comes to slime.
You need to change your tag line, "Neal Bloom, I have time for your slime!"
hahaha
kk
The things we do and "they" say we don't earn our commission...lol. No listing and forgetting for this group! Congratulations on going above and beyond in the name of service.
Neal - what a great post - I like Kristal's idea for the title. You are such a visual writer - oh the pictures that now come to my mind when I think "Neal Bloom" - I can't wait to meet you in person. Congrats on the feature too!
Lol, great story, thanks for sharing!
Anyone know what that goo is made from?
What a guy!
Neal, no worries, if you can't get the slime off before you come to AZ, trust me, it will burn off before you leave. It's a dry heat you know. LOL.
What brings you to AZ? When will you be here?
BTW, the trainers in real estate school did mention, many times, that as a REALTOR, we will be doing some very interesting projects. And that wasn't even on the test. hahahaha.
I would imagine this kind of service will bring a few referrals for you, too. It's cool you are willing to do this for your clients and I am sure they appreciate you. :)
Doreen
hope you sell the home after all those slims
LOL....didn't mean to leave you speechless.....
You didn't clorox yourself to remove the slime, I hope.....that would be very bad....LOL
I love the picture of you wearing the slime....
Neal,
You definitely went the extra mile and I am sure they will be very loyal to you. I have seem a few agents rather lose a listing than do any extra work at all.
Going the extra mile is great, but keep it in perspective. It might be more advisable to retain the services of a handyman for just such an emergency.
You'll be free to do what you do best, sell real estate, and...
You won't mark up your pretty ol' face with green stuff!
So when I hauled trash I could be the trashiest Realtor in Oregon? Good for you for helping out - it makes you stand apart - and when the neighbors say hey that looks great - they will say Neil did it - and he is our REALTOR - who do you think they will think of when they buy or sell...... The Slimiest Realtor in Florida
Neal,
What a great story. Thanks for passing along. I'll use to encourage agents in our office, as a reminder to go the extra mile.
Hi Kristal,
If I change my name then I will have to brand all over again..but it is a good thought! :)
Michelle,
Thanks. And wouldn't it be nice to get paid before I embarked on the commitment of the extra labor? LOL!
Cyndee,
As always thanks for that and I didn't know that I was a good visual writer..I guess that is good?
Anna,
Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Jordan,
Go the hobby store..they sell that stuff for kids.
Crysty,
I just sniffed too much chlorine and my nose is burning.
Carmen,
We shall find out how much they appreciate it..but now I need a buyer for the house.
Steve,
Didn't take me that long to worry about a handyman. I figured maybe an hour of my time to oblige.
Thesa,
How are you girl..hope your trip is great and yes since you haul trash you can take that name if you want.:)
Debra,
Good labor is hard to find...even if it is a Realtor doing the job!
Wow! I don't envy that job! I'm more than willing to help, but slime??? I'll do it, but honestly, I'd prefer not to!!!!!!!!
John,
I hope so too.
Doreen,
Sometimes it takes getting down and dirty to the sellers respect even after you list it.
Debra,
Thanks and by all means ..pass it on!
Joslyn,
I am sure you don't envy it,yes slime..I'll try almost anything once.
No chlorine sniffing....that's bad. My grandmother put vinegar down her drain followed by chlorox......can i say definite NO NO. There was smoke and a horrible smell. We could have all died!
Doreen,
We will be in AZ June 2-8.
Christy,
Bad mix.
That's the way to go the extra "mile!" (or is it "slime?")
Ryan,
Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Neal - Great Job - Oh you are sooo slimy! Ha ha I guess I am too using that standard of measure. Great Post.
you definitely went the extra mile to help sell the property. it is that extra effort that puts you over the competition, and makes you remarkable. great blog!
Nice job Neal. Excellent post. I bet alligator removal is part of your service too>
Neal...you really were slimed! Yuck! The things we do for clients never ceases to amaze me! I've been in a crawlspace before to attach a dryer vent before closing! I don't care to do it again.
Phillip,
Thanks and yes I am still cleaning it off...no just kidding ,see what a little paint program can do?
Joe,
First I need to sell it but yes it did help the curb appeal.
Klaus,
I'm not a fan of alligator's ..I'll stick to slime...it is easier to handle.
Lizette,
I hope you know the stuff on my photo was altered by me ...but there was slime and clorox and water on my clothes.
Are you glowing in the dark yet? I'm curious as to what motivated you to offer your help. Were these elderly people?
Vicki,
Jusy being thankful for them to give me the opportunity to sell and list their property.
nice someone that goes the extra mile for their clients. Thats nice to hear.
Wow. That is going the extra mile. That's the kinds of things I would send my husband to do!
Ethan,
Yes ...now if we can get it sold I will feel better as well.
Lisa,
It is not one of my habits but because it would help I do not mind and it comes back to you later as a possible referral.
i'm really diappointed. i have been looking for a home with slime over the archway and now it's gone.
Jay,
Too bad...it is common in FL.