This was a difficult transaction that after many delays was finally given the clear to close. Because of the delays we had no say in the time or location of the closing. So it was scheduled at an attorneys office and was being fit into his tight schedule to accommodate us. This office was huge, brand new with big shiny furniture and impressive law books lining the walls. 
When I arrived with my customers we were put in a big conference room. I took a seat near one end of the huge table and put my pocket book and brief case on the floor.
We made small talk while waiting for the sellers to arrive. It was a beautiful sunny day in New Hampshire and the sun streamed through the huge windows of the conference room bathing everything in a warm glow. It was so comfortable and relaxing that I could have fallen asleep.
When the sellers and listing agent arrived, about 10 minutes late, they joined us in the conference room.
I placed my file on the table and the other agent did the same with hers.
We all sat across the table from each other making awkward small talk while awaiting the arrival of the closing attorney. He was running late we were told...finally he arrived a bit harried and pressed for time.
Of course, it was our fault, he was now very behind schedule...all the delays and then this last minute scheduling. While I was grateful I was annoyed by his cavalier attitude.
I ignored the minor attitude and he started the closing. Soon after I noticed a funny smell. Not sure what it was I kept my mouth shut, a bit unusual for me for sure.
No one else seemed to notice but the smell seemed to get stronger as the attorney moved his huge pile of closing Documents around. Good grief it smelled bad I thought to myself but no one else acted like they smelled anything at all.
I know everyone was nervous but did nerves affect the sense of smell? I didn't think so. It started to get real bad...I had to say something.
"Whats that smell?" I blurted out.
"New office smell?" The Co-broke suggested.
"Hmmm" the attorney mumbled as he looked up above his glasses at me. As if I was a nut case.
"Gross"... the buyer said.
Mr. Seller stood up and said "something is burning." With that said we all got up, stood and looked at each other not knowing what to do. But we could all smell something. Finally, I walked over to the book shelves and did a sniff test and the attorney went to get a staff member to help. Now he was really running late and very irritated.
Maybe something died somewhere in here? But it really smelled like something was burning. We were all milling about the room, so nice and new and shiny and expensive...smelling fire but seeing nothing. No smoke...nothing but the smell. As we picked up our stuff, gathered our paperwork and files...the smell started to overwhelm us...it was so strong.
The decision was made to evacuate the building as the smell was just horrible. No matter where we went I could smell it. We went out the front waiting area...the smell was there too! Now we're all starting to panic.
Everyone was told to leave the building and we all proceeded to walk out the door clutching our important files.
While waiting the arrival of the fire department, we stood and talked about trying to do the closing outside.
Suddenly the wind shifted and we could smell that burning smell outside with us!!!! We walked around in circles the 7 of us trying to figure where the fire was and how come it came outside with us. The attorney was clearly upset.
For some reason the smell was worse near me...a real strong burning smell. Everyone started to look at me and then my buyer shouted "Monika your pocket book is smoking!!" I thought she was kidding...the attorney looked at me over his glasses again...oh that look! The Co-broker screamed "your bag is on fire"... I dropped my nice new leather bag that I was clutching under my arm to the ground...it opened and I could see it was smoldering inside!!!All my papers where burned to a crisp, my make-up fried! OMG!!!
Talk about uncomfortable closings...I could not look anyone in eye after that. So far I've never had another closing with that attorney!
My pocket book pretty much ruined in the inside...my pride totally destroyed.
Pocket book...$125.00
Make up...$250.00
Memories of this closing...Priceless
Jay and Monika McGillicuddy
Prudential Verani Realty
Hampstead NH
603-548-7728
When looking for KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE plus SERVICE at its best. Don’t make a “move” without the help of Jay & Monika your R. E. Professionals. Combined 44 years of R.E. experience 4 U
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Wow! What a smoking closing! I would be embarrassed too. Hope the rest of your closings are cool!
OMG Monika - you had me in TEARS!!! How in the world did your purse catch on fire? do you smoke? You know what they say....first one to smell it, dealt it!! I WOULD HAVE DIED!!
BTW - your writing on this one is outrageously good!
Monika - well, I know you don't smoke, so what happened to cause your purse to be on fire??? I bet that harried attorney was really looking at you by now!!
Ann
LOL...Thanks Ronda. Most of them have been pretty cool!
That happened many yrs ago, Too funny for words. I actually remember it happening. ROTHFLMAO.
OMG! Thaat's one way to "fire" your closing attorney!! (Har har) What a story! You had me ROLLING! Thank you for the much needed laugh!!
Ines...Thank you so much! I did smoke back then. But hey every good girl scout carries a book of matches...don't they?
Ann...I think somehow the friction caused the matches to light inside my bag and it took a while to catch on. It smoldered and burned my leather wallet. In reality I was pretty lucky. But very embarrassed.
Did you see that funny nose Jay just added? LOL
Mariana...Thanks so much. I really needed the laugh that reliving this gave me!
Only in NH!
That was hysterical...
I can't imagine how you lived it down, but I bet your Buyers are still talking about it till this day!
I've been thinking about starting a "your most embarrassing moment"thread. Maybe I'll do it.
LOL...Michael. We have fun up here :)
Oh Monika...that is one of the funniest stories! You are always good for a funny real estate story...one of my favs is the vacant house and "the surprise in the hole". I think we all have them and it is refreshing to hear them from other agents as well. Joan has a great idea with the most embarrasing moment thread...would be a hit!
Monika, I thought you were going to tell me the building was on fire! But your pocket book...LOL! Thanks for the much needed laugh!
Joan...I have so many of those moments that I could write a post a day. When I tell you that I did not want to go back into that closing...I really mean it!
Lisa...Thanks so much. OMG that hole in floor with the dead...You Know What In It...was too much! LOL Hey we all need a good laugh every now and then.
Suzanne...Thanks for stopping by and laughing with me! I appreciate it!
Thanks for the laugh. That is a great story. Well told. Very nice.
Thanks Ken...it was pretty funny- after the fact anyway!
Monika, was that the Hottest Sale you ever had? Why was an attorney used? Is New Hampshire one of those states that require it? It's an option in Texas but 95-98% of all closings go through a Title company only. NO Fires!
Monika - This was great - thanks for sharing. It never ceases to amaze me the things that happen to us in this business!
Monika - YOU used to smoke??? I don't ever remember you smoking, must have been MANY years ago! I did see that nose Jay added - that is FUNNY!!
Danny - NH doesn't require closings be held by attorneys. Actually most of our closings are done by title companies. Once in awhile, I have a closing where an attorney handles it - usually from Massachusetts.
Ann
Monika that was great. You told that story so well. At first I thought the smell was going to come from BO due to the A/C not working. To find out that you are just a "smoking hot agent" just made it all that much funnier.
OMG Monika...
Now this is what I call funny :)
Bad Monika...Bad. LOL.
TLW...ROAR!
Danny...I had one other hot closing that involved a great deal of mattress money. It was Funny!
The attorney was used simply because the buyers lender wanted him. We use both Title Companies and Attorneys up here. Most of my closings have been with title companies though.
Don...We should write a book about our experiences!
Ann... I've been smoke free for 9 years..I 'm surprised you don't remember all trips I made outside to visit the smokers.
Ashley...Funny but I thought it was BO too as I didn't notice it till the attorney starting flipping pages.
TLW... I'm bad..very bad LOL !! You should have seen the look the attorney gave me. Priceless!!!
Monika.. i never took you for an arsonist!! So what started it? a cigarette? hhmm..
and what's this about a surprise in a hole? give us a link pleaseeee!!! :)) i should start work, er uh, get back to work!! :))
it was you all along huh, wow, great story to remember. they say 2 closing are never the same.
thanks for the laugh.
:)
Monika,
That was the best story I have heard in a long time.
I have the visual and I am cracking up!!!!!
thanks for sharing that, made my afternoon!
Carla
Nick...A book of matches started it. They were inside my purse. Here is the link about the hole in the floor...Some Days You Work Nights....Have a good laugh!!!
Ghandi...You're right they are never the same. But that is what keeps it interesting..don't ya think?
Carla...LOL thanks so much Carla...I'm glad you got a good laugh.
That will be a hard closing to follow.
It did make for a really great story:)
Thanks Jim and Maria...okay which one of you left the comment?
Now Monika why did you have matches in your pocket book? A little ciggy break?
HAHA!
That was some story...how was the attorney after the fire went out?
Hey Monika,
I guess you and Jay are not back from the heavy partying?
Hangover?
Monica
That was funny, I thought for sure you were going to tell us the Attorney was farting
Neal...I'm a former smoker :)
Going on ten years smoke free but I like carrying matches around. You just never know when you might need them. We've had a family wedding and been partying it up a little bit.
Gary..I thought he was farting when I started to smell that burning smell...LOL!
OMG! I can't tell you how much I needed this LAUGH, Life has been crazy busy, and reading this post was just great.
I Love it....Keep burning them up..LOL
Monika,
I was away for couple weeks and just catching up with AR reading...this blog is very funny!!!
What a great video that would have made. Can you and Jay re-enact this and tape it? Ha!
Monika, I was certain this was a fart story. You can't make this stuff up. It's hysterical! To think you picked up the fire and carried it with you... ha ha ha ha ha
Now that gives the true meaning of Feeling HOT HOT HOT! Wow..$250.00 that's a lot of makeup! Are you sure you aren't a Mary Kay agent in disguise?
LOL...My god I never saw these comments! Vickie Wyman and Sue Argue...I'm sorry!
Maggie...LOL I understand it sounds like a Fart story for sure.
Vickie...250.00 was my entire stash of make-up...can't leave home without it <gg>.
Thanks for commenting!
I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time... but my gosh, what a "smoking deal". LOL
Silvia...I was dying at the time especially when I found out all along it was me! LOL!
i started as a mortgage lender in NH around 1978. i have people who tell me i must have seen/heard it all. as you have just reminded me the answer is no.
don't worry, while you can't imagine it now, something else will happen that will overshadow the hot closing. all you have to do is to continue with your career.
the plus side is every time you smell burning leaves in the fall you'll think you have a closing.
LOL...Jay I do remember this whenever I smell anything burning...anything at all. One of those memories that stay with you. Thanks for stopping by.
I am getting a visual . wow that is too funny.
I am getting a visual . wow that is too funny.
Thanks Shaun...It was pretty funny!
Thank you very much for sharing, that was a great story.