Amanda Wernick

Thursday my family and I buried my Mom, so to say that I’m in a different state of mind is probably correct.

Usually, I’m interested in having genuine conversations with people. I am interested in knowing who they are, where they’re from, and what they’re up to. On a plane, I tend to read body language and if I see that the person is deep into his book, or looks sad, or angry, I tend to leave them alone out of consideration. Sometimes people are open to conversations, sometimes they’re not…but I am usually always able to tell the difference.

Friday, I flew out of New Orleans to Denver on my way to Vegas and then drive home to the OC (long story, don’t ask). I board my plane and walk to the back. I’m not particularly in a talkative mood, so I am avoiding eye contact, but on the rare occasion that I do make it, I smile, weakly and move on.

I have an aisle seat, middle seat is empty and there’s a young gal sitting at the window. She smiles and practically yells out “HI!” as if this were her first time making human contact with someone! So excited to see me, oh my heavens! How can she stand it! I semi smile and say hello, then think to myself…”not really wanting to talk lady, read my face”. She says, “You going to Vegas?” I bite the urge to say, “Why no, I’m headed to Salt Lake and thought I’d take the scenic route”…instead, I say yes….”ME TOO! Do you live in Denver? What are you going to do in Vegas? Are you meeting some people there?
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(What I immediately think of!)<



I let her know that I’m not staying in Vegas, I’m just flying there to pick up my car and then driving to Orange County. “Why?” she asks. I tell her it’s a long story but that my mom was on her deathbed and it was the cheapest flight out for me…”Oh!” she says…”so where’d she die?” WOAH! What? REALLY!!!??? People ask those kinds of questions? I want to scream and we haven’t even finished boarding yet!



I tweet out “heaven help me”…just then a young man comes and informs us he has the middle seat. An answer to prayer..…”HI! Are you going to Vegas?” How old are you? Are you going to have a drink? I am and I need a drinking buddy….” Mind you that he hasn’t even fully sat down yet….he answers her questions and takes his seat…she proceeds….
“So what was your name again?” He finishes getting comfortable and then fastens his belt and she says she has to go to the ladies room….REALLY? We haven’t even taken off yet…GOOD NIGHT IRENE!!


We get up…off she goes…she comes back…sits down…”So, what do you do for a living, how long have you been doing that, what is that, how old are you (again) “ He answers her questions a little taken aback. Then he asks her what she does for a living….”OH! I’M A REALTOR” and I almost lose my lunch! YOU’RE A REALTOR AND YOU’RE ACTING LIKE A CRACK ADDICT!?



You’re not even taking the time to listen to the answers he gave you without jumping on to the next question! You’re bombarding him with questions because that’s what you think you should do, but somewhere along the way, no one taught you the value of “JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN!”

I was embarrassed for my industry!

I know that we Realtors come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and political affiliations. I get that we won’t work with everyone we meet, and I admit that I am an acquired taste (pain in the butt, really) and tend to babble….HOWEVER…it embarrasses me that someone so genuinely disinterested in really learning about the person you are having a conversation with, but spewing questions for the sake of hearing your voice, is out there…representing an industry that I hold so dear to my heart….No wonder we ‘re not respected as an industry….I heard her speak and could only think that she is but one reason we’re on the lowest rung of the professional totem pole.

The flight attendant must have a Twitter account and seen my plea to the Twitterverse…..she walked over to me and said, “There’s a seat in the last row if you would like it…I smile, truly appreciative…and change seats. Second answered prayer of the day. Amen

What do YOU think? As a professional in your industry, do you totally let loose and then tell people what you do for a living, or do you let loose and not even bring up what you in order to keep from tarnishing your industry? Or do you, like Chatty Cathy, not really care and let the chips fall where the may? Enquiring minds (and a nosey FUNomenalRealtr) want to know…

More is not always better...We all KNOW this. Things in the last few years have shown that we the people are only going to pay what WE see as fair. WE give things value. This applies to everything in our lives.

Family:We give them time because we VALUE them

Friends: Again, there is value there

Gas: A necessity, but ask me how many people will drive out of their way to find cheap gas! We need it, but if it means driving a little off the beaten path to get it cheaper...so be it!

Housing: We KNOW where this all stands, so I'll leave this one alone.

Groceries: Even the big name stores with discount cards and coupons and bonus buys are having a tough time competing with Trader Joe's, Stater Bros and now my favorite grocery store, FRESH AND EASY!

The next one though, some may consider a luxury these days: GYM MEMBERSHIP.

A few years back, I thought nothing of having a membership. I worked out diligently, ate "clean" (this is not a Jewish Dietary Requirement, it just means I ate non processed foods as much as possible and I'm not Jewish so I would know nothing of eating Kosher).

Eventually, I paid for a trainer! He was GREAT! Taught me to cook great healthy meals, taught me about balance in life and fun while working out.

As time went on, life got in the way. My Favorite Aunt got sick and I took time off of Real Estate to take care of her. After a year, I came back, only to discover that my Real Estate business had disappeared. I had to start from scratch.

I exercised intermittently, but have recently decided I wanted...NAY...NEEDED to join a gym again. I like the feel of being there and doing something for me! So I started shopping and here's where I need your help!

24 Hour Fitness has a pretty decent deal going. 9.99 down and 29.99 monthly.

Next was LA Fitness A special that expires tomorrow (Really? Can you get me a used car salesman to kick the tires please?) 49.99 and 29.99 a month. Pretty basic stuff. Either one will work, yes? (Bally's was just WAY too far for me to commit to going to consistently so we'll leave them out of it for now).

NO! Here's where I'm having an issue:

24 Hour (the gym that I would be going to near my home) is pretty small. NO bells and whistles. Plenty of cardio equipment, weights (though they do look old, they still do the job) a section for "Circuit Training", shower room. Classes are offered free for yoga etc. BASIC. I like basic.

LA Fitness (the one close to my house) is HUGE.... Lots of cardio machines (almost seems excessive), a "spin cycling room". a pool, spa, sauna, showers, huge locker room and that's only downstairs! Upstairs you will find an extensive amount of weight machines and free weights, plus a huge class where classes are held. Feels Hollywood...excessive.

Here's the kicker. 24 hour is COMFORTABLE for me. I know the routine. I know the machines and I can find my way to any machine and know how to work it.

LA Fitness has machines that I kept waiting to turn into Bumblebee from the Transformers! I am NOT comfortable there...and that's where the rub is...if you're looking to grow, to expand...shouldn't I be running to sign up at LA Fitness? Is it the fear of not knowing the machines and looking like an idiot keeping me from signing up?

Or is being comfortable better? I'd be happy...push myself as I see my progress...but would I look back and think "Yeah, this is nice, but you could be relaxing in the sauna right about now, or swimming a lap" (note to you, I am not a swimmer, but somehow would I be cheating myself by not having it IF I decide later I want it?)

Besides the really cheesy, wanna be high pressure sales guy at LA that irritated me with "OURS IS THE BEST" and "REALLY, OURS IS THE BEST" approach and NO pressure from 24 HR, I'm at a standstill!

What do YOU think?

Yesterday morning my daughter called to tell me that I could officially be a Grandmother! Contractions were 5 minutes apart at 8:30 PST. At 11:30 PST, my son in law called me to tell me that her contractions were 3 minutes apart and they were heading to the hospital, just to make sure everything was OK.

At 12:30, my son-in-law called to say that they were going to schedule a C-Section because the Baby's heart rate kept dropping and they just wanted to make sure that everything would turn out alright.

A few hours later, I was informed, via text that my Grandson, Wolfgang Perry was born! 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long! I can't describe the sheer emotion of it all! It's the most beautiful feeling I have ever had (having my own two beautiful children of course goes without saying!).

Just wanted to share and if you want to see pics, find me on Facebook!

Amanda Wernick

Twitter @FUNomenalRealtr

Facebook FUNomenalRealtr

I have always said that Real Estate is ever changing and fluid...like a river...

So what happens when you, the consumer, gets thrown into the river that is heading over a waterfall?

A friend of mine has her Real Estate license. She currently works at an attorney's office helping people with Loan Modifications. She has seen her fair share of blame laid...First on the consumer, then on the loan officer and finally on the bank. She has witnessed tenants being evicted from their home with no clue or forewarning. It has made her miserable!

She is also a homeowner and landlord.
From the very beginning this tenant/landlord relationship has been tumultuous to say the least!

The tenants bounced checks the first three month which spiraled into huge check fees for her. She called to no avail to find out what was happening. Finally, one of the neighbors clues her in...Mom's been arrested...going away for 3 months...dad's back home...what to do?

She doesn't throw them out, or give them notice...she works with them..."Let's make payment arrangements...Tell me if you can't make the payment so that I can cover it for you"....etc.
But this last month was the final straw. Once again, no rent paid...she is two weeks into this.
No returned phone calls.
Finally she sends a certified letter.
"Dad" is now offended and feels threatened so has hired a lawyer!

Now, if she was a client of mine, I would walk her through this, be a shoulder to lean on and give her some sane advice...BUT...she is a friend of mine and it is difficult to keep my Realtor hat on! My first reaction is to tell her to lock them out of the house!

NOT GOOD ADVICE!

So, I calm down and say to her..."Now is the time for you to set up a consultation with an attorney. They are the only ones qualified to advise you on what steps you need to take legally. There's a process involved, and doing what I WANT to suggest will only complicate things.
I felt good that I detached myself and quickly put on my Realtor hat to offer sound advice...but that doesn't mean that I'm not miffed about her circumstances.
She was doing THEM a favor and this is what she gets? As a Realtor, I have to stay calm and say, "These things happen. Here is the name of an attorney who may be able to help you".

So I ask YOU...who's "rights" is it anyway?
Can you blame the tenant who has had a less than stellar record with regards to a payment history for hunkering down, not paying rent and consulting an attorney to see how long they could stay in the house rent free?
Do you blame the Landlord, who should have consulted with an attorney at the very beginning to protect herself from what has just happened?
Do you split the blame up the middle?
What are YOUR thoughts?

Amanda Wernick
FUN-omenal Realtor