Linda Hinson

Yesterday, I had floor duty at our Sunset Beach mainland office. It was a slow, easy Saturday afternoon with a few agents booking appointments and a few lookers calling in for pricing and other information. Some offices close on Saturdays this time of year so it is not unusual for Coldwell Banker Sloane Realty to pick up a few walk-ins. We are located on the main beach road that connects all the NC beaches close to the SC line. A really nice car pulled up to the front door just about closing time and a well-dressed couple walked in the door. They were looking for an agent; they couldn't remember his name. The wife said they had worked with him well over a year ago. She described him and I recognized the description and when I called his name, they agreed that was him. They wanted to know if he was in and I explained that he was not. Their response, "Oh, well our signed Buyer's Agency expired a long time ago. Would you work with us? We're down for a few weeks so we would like to set an appointment for next week to look at some property. We are ready to buy, NOW."

Immediately, I thought...you're ready to buy, now...so that means you either mislead your agent or lied to him outright while he hauled you around showing you property on your last visit. I explained that even though the agency agreement had expired it was only fair that the agent be notified and they agreed. Thank heavens, the agent picked up and I explained the situation and put the husband on the phone. They quickly set up an appointment for this coming week. The couple thanked me as they were going out the door but the husband turned to ask me why I had gone to such efforts to refer them to the other agent. In his area up North, the agent on duty wouldn't have hesitated to make the appointment. I just smiled and explained that is why I work in this office; most of the agents I work with are also my friends and we take care of each other. He laughed and left.

I knew the other agent was out of town visiting his family; I also knew how badly he needs a sale so how great do you think I would feel knowing I scooped his ex-client and truly, how many agents would have taken his clients...in the current market, probably more than I would be comfortable with.

...but then I am the only one I see in the mirror every morning.

I admit it; I have low tolerance for "free loaders" who whine about the economy and how we need to do more for the "Poor" in our society. Now before your blood starts boiling, let me explain. Today, I gathered up some barely used toys that my granddaughter had played with only a few times when she visited me and now, she has outgrown them. We're talking about Barbie electric car, helmet, knee & arm pads, dolls, puzzles and I delivered them to a shop that had a box labeled "Toys for Tots." I was informed nicely that I couldn't leave them...toys had to be brand new in the original box. The shop owner explained patiently that children deserved a brand new toy; I could take my items to Goodwill or a thrift shop. Any child who received that Barbie car would have thought it was brand new. I'll have to admit my mean spirit revealed itself but I reloaded the car. If you're poor, would you appreciate anything????

Later, I stopped by a friend's house whose daughter's club had adopted a family. They had asked if I would help and I was given a list from one of the teenagers. I couldn't believe it! The list did not have one item less than $150! It even specified the brand name and the color. What is going on in our country? This is not what I consider "Helping the Poor." I will buy because I promised but it was too soon after the "Toys for Tots" situation...but shouldn't you appreciate anything?

I grew up poor in the South (outhouse, pump your water, and take a bath in a galvanized tub). No TV, No telephone, and No indoor bathroom until I was 13. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school and the first to graduate from college so I know "Poor". ...and I paid back all my school loans. I am not seeing poor anywhere around me. As for new toys, for the seven years I worked to put my husband through school, I shopped yard sales and my husband fixed and painted toys. We wrapped presents in Sunday comics long before it was "Cool & Creative" and my kids wore gently used clothes. They loved Christmas morning...the room was full of toys...all gently used.

I'm sorry my Christmas spirit took a downer today and I needed somewhere to vent. I brought the toys home; I'm going to sell them at a yard sale and I'll donate the money to help one of the assistance groups who help the elderly pay their heating bills in the winter.

...and yes, sometimes before December deadline, I will probably buy a "New Toy".

Human nature being what it is...people always talk about the one that got away. Be patient, I am going to digress to make a point. My mother had alzheimers for ten years before she passed away (Southern nicety for died) and the costs of maintaining her in a controlled environment (Southern nicety for nursing home) was $45,000 per year for the past five years so as her guardian I worked to manage her assets carefully. She had in her portfolio Apple computer stock that she had paid $10 a share and was worth $200 a share when it was announced that Steve Jobs had pancreatic cancer and prices started to drop rapidly. My spouse who is a business guru (Southern nicety for financially successful) cautioned me to sell that stock...and I won't bore you with the rest of the story but I finally caved against my better judgment and sold half for $95 a share. Now, look at the price of Apple computer stock. I blame my spouse. His response...Who knew Steve would beat pancreatic cancer and come back. If he had died, the company would have never recovered. You would have lost your mom's money and she would have had to move to a state paid facility. ...if only I had waited six months

How does that apply to real estate? Let me ask you a question. How many property sales does it take to turn the comps in a neighborhood? I was viewing our MLS market watch and I read where a property in a waterway community that I sold two years ago sold for double the price this week. I was shocked...in this market???? Two weeks ago, another water property on the market for well over a million dollars actually sold at listed price. Does that mean that the comps have changed for all the property on the Intracoastal Waterway in that area? If so, what about those poor sellers who 30 days ago sold their properties at such a low price...if only they had waited a month!

I am leasing a beautiful home on a local golf course, and the floors are a gorgeous Brazilian cherry. The property should have rented the first week but potential tenants don't mention pets until the second visit. They tell you all about themselves, about their children in college, or the one who is still in high school and they ask about all the basic information and then they leave. You get a call a few days later telling you how much they love the home and they are ready to do the credit part. ...and then, "Oh, by the way, you never mentioned anything about pets but we have two German Shepherds, a Irish Setter, two labs, or a really sweet old Jack Russell Terrier." The last three prospects had huge dogs with humongous toenails...do you know what those can do to hardwood floors?

If you are a renter, why would anyone have big dogs? I love dogs but they are going to have issues from time to time...don't even get me started on cats!

This past week I was in Raleigh for a few days helping my sons get ready for Cameron Village's Holiday Kick Off Thursday night. The event complete with Santa Claus (which is too early for my tastes) was held as a nighttime activity and the entire complex was jam packed! Everyone worked late to be sure Tin Roof Teas was clean and ready to open Friday morning. My oldest son put me to work labeling inventory while his dad assembled one of the cooling cases for their new shipment of exotic truffles. I decided to stroll down to one of the upscale jewelry stores to view their Slane & Slane Collection. I have a daughter-in-law who loves that particular designer. Now, I admit I was in jeans, a Longboat Key sweatshirt, and no makeup but so what. The clerks (jewelry consultants) informed me that they were getting ready for a trunk show that afternoon so if I needed to see a piece of jewelry, let them know. They ignored me for the rest of the hour. I had been in there before when I was dressed to impress so I know the difference. They hovered to the point of annoyance.

I strolled back to our shop and I went back to work. My husband asked me what I bought for her and gave me that "husband" look when I said that I didn't buy anything. I made up my mind to buy from a local shop who treats me well no matter how I am dressed. I bought some jewelery from him a few years ago. I told him to hold the pieces until I could transfer the money to my checking account...he told me to take the pieces with me and call when I transferred the money. Now, that is what I call service!

I hope as real estate agents we have learned that you can't judge based upon clothes and cars or even the house they currently live in. One of the most difficult tenants I ever had (she let me know all the time that she was used to better conditions) came with status car, expensive clothes, very expensive furnishings and a credit report with a foreclosure and judgments. I required double deposits.