The Funniest (and Most Embarrassing) Moments from Real Estate Showings | LeadingLane Podcast | Ep 96

So we go to the. This unit and we're. We're looking at it and we're just kind of looking around and definitely run down property. And we're standing in the kitchen and all of a sudden we saw something came rushing through the freaking kitchen floor and just, like, bouncing. It was a ferret and it scared the living shit out of both of us to where, like, each of us both jumped on south of the counter and we, like, both screamed because we had no idea what it.

Welcome to the Leading Lane podcast for Real Estate Pros by Real Estate Pros, with your hosts, Ashley Frederick and Stephen Burch. If you're looking for an honest, authentic and raw perspective, you found it.

All right, welcome to the Leading Lean podcast. I'm going to throw a quick question at you, Ash. Ash. I don't know where I got that, Ashley.

People can say that.

All right, so what is the funniest? I'm sure there's multiple, but what is one of the funniest moments when showing a house? What kind of crazy experiences have you had.

Man, that's a lot. That's like 13 years worth of thousands of showings. I think the one that comes to mind, and it's only because it happened, like, numerous times. This younger couple, he. And he'll love it because we still. We still bring it up today. His name's Brian and super, like, outgoing, eccentric, like, makes you laugh all the time, but probably two things. I think it might have been like, two different days, but we were showing properties and he fell down the stairs. It was one of those, like, slow mo things like, that you're watching from afar, like how you can stop it but can't. And then he kind of like, did like a tuck and roll at the end. Um, and I mean, like, we laughed for a very, very long time. And then I think it was like two days later we had, like, to look at another property and he tried to walk through a screen door. And so same thing was, like, full force, like, he was in conversation. And, like, we must have been, like, right behind him. And, like, just the automatic of, like, seeing someone come, like, all the way back. And so it was just an ongoing thing. Like, we were in the next houses that we'd go and we'd try to make sure, like, there wasn't anything that Brian could hurt himself or other. But, you know, I think it's that just when you're so in tune to what's going, like, right, like they're looking at the house, like, they're not necessarily Thinking about the steps in front of them or anything like that. So those are probably the two funniest I can think of off the top of my head. But what about you?

I had an investor that I showed, I mean just the most crazy properties to. But we went to a 8 Plex I believe and the majority of the, the building was vacant. So now let me set the stage that this guy is like macho, rides a Harley, right? Like so just tatted, shaved head, beard, like super nice guy though. So we go to the this unit and we're looking at it and we're just kind of looking around and definitely run down property. And we're standing in the kitchen and all of a sudden we saw something came rushing through the freaking kitchen floor and just like bouncing. It was a ferret and it scared the living shit out of both of us to where like each of us both jumped on south of the counter and we like both screamed because we had no idea what it was. And then when we figured out that it was a ferret, we're sitting there like laughing on the top of these countertops. He was like, let's not ever talk about this again. Let's never say anything that happened. I mean it was so freaking funny. Just in every single time that we showed a house after that or we talked like he brought up the ferret every single time. So I just think, you know, there's multiple other things that have happened and it's just a wild industry, you never know what's going to come about. So what about on the sell side like or in general in real estate? What are some unique experiences that you've had that are definitely memorable for you?

There's a couple, I mean so one and I don't, I think like, I don't know if phones have changed or whatever, maybe they used to lag. But I think that like people would go to like text message their last contact, but it would be like stuck on who you were texting last. So these clients, which they're very sweet clients, I had sprained my ankle in a volleyball game. So I had this big boot I had to wear for weeks and it was during winter and so that's always fun. And they wanted to look at this house that had, I swear a mile long driveway. And it was vacant so it was unplowed. So I was literally like probably had my edge back then. So I was like, I have no idea how we're gonna get up the driveway. And so they like legitimately, no joke, like offered to bring A sled. And they were going to pull me up the driveway to get to the. Thankfully, somebody plowed it up. But anyway, so we had been texting about this house and their thoughts about it and stuff like that. And I think it was the next. It was later on that day, so we must have looked at it at like two or something. And I think it was like six o'. Clock. And she text messaged me and she's like, I can't wait to smack your ass later. And I was like, I mean, I think we had that type of funny, quite funny relationship. And then there was. And I don't remember what was after that, but I was like, I don't think that those were meant for me. So I think I'm just gonna. I'm just gonna leave it. I remember Ben's been like, maybe you should write her back and be like, I think you text the wrong person. And I was like, no, because I think she's gonna be, like, mortified once she actually sees it. And then I think it was like 45 minutes later. And yeah, it was like, oh, my gosh, I can't believe I sent that to you. Please know it was meant for my husband. Like, I understand if you don't ever want to work with us.

Too funny.

So I was like, no, totally, totally fine. It's. It's, you know, no big deal. So that's a funny one. But one that sticks out to me is I think that, like, when you see someone from, like, different sides of transactions, like, you only get to know, like, one side of it, right? Or I think sometimes realtors, like, portrayed their emotions as what the seller's emotions or the buyer's emotions are. And nine times out of 10 is probably not the case.

Right.

I had a seller and didn't meet the buyer, but there's a whole bunch of, like, home inspection things. And it just seemed, like, really difficult. And that other agent kept on saying how that buyer was extremely difficult. And I was like, okay, whatever. Go to closing. Like, things are fine. But in my head, like, in my head, I remember the name and whatever. I was just like, oh, he seems difficult, right? I think it's like, maybe five years later, I get this call and this guy says he's. He was referred to me from a lender, and he was looking to buy $1 million property, like, within a half hour. Marshall, you know, parts of you think that it's kind of a scam, too, because it's not common in this area. Seemed super nice on the phone So I was like, maybe you should stop in sometime. I'll send you a couple links. Then I started doing some research and I'm like, oh my gosh, it's the buyer from five years ago. Like strange, right? Like that he'd call me or whatnot. So I send him a couple of properties. He stops in one day just at the office randomly and says, yep, yep, we want to look at this one. And it was like a 40 minute drive. And I, I might have brought this up one other time, but again, like I had only met him that one time and he seemed like nice guy, but you could also tell like he was very prompt and proper and sometimes when you're driving 45 minutes away, like you don't know if you're going to be a couple minutes late or whatever. So I text messaged him that I was on my way and I should be there by noon. And they turned out to be some of like the best clients I have ever had. You know, sold. I think I've sold, you know, four or five properties with them now. Great friends call them. I mean we have funny stories. I'll come back to that in one second. And his wife told me one time that it all started when I text messaged him that I was on my way because he had said that no one ever took the time to be that much attention to detail. So have this ongoing joke because every property that I sell of their sells in a week. And I was like, this is not common. Not so. Each time I would be like, don't expect it to be a week. And then it was a week. And I'd be like, oh my gosh, you guys like setting me up for failure here because one of these times it's not going to happen. But they had closed, I think it was maybe November or something. So this was like just before COVID they had asked us to come over to help celebrate and so he had this huge beer and wine collection and so we had a couple drinks and then I think he went to walk us out but his, his wife had already gone to bed. Well, here there's a like mini snowstorm or whatnot. I think we saw him like two weeks later. And mind you, because like they hadn't been there that long. They hadn't changed level colds or anything like that. So when he walked us out, he actually locked him and the dog out of the house.

Oh no.

And his wife was like full on asleep. So it was an ongoing joke because then he actually only knew the code to the shop. So him and his dog slept in the shop that night. But it was an ongoing. When you hang out with Ashley and Ben, and I was like, no, no, no. But it. Right. So to me, it's like you just never know who you're actually going to meet. And you never know, like, who they were before or who someone made them out to be versus who they actually are. And I could call him on a dime and they would help me with any.

Yeah, that's awesome. I think it's great to see what kind of relationships that continue to evolve and continue after the transaction. Because, I mean, it's. You're in their personal life here. You're helping them through all of that. And so I think that those who, you know, your. Your people, like, definitely stick. But also there's the people that you don't want to stick. Like, toodaloo, I'm done with you. Right. Like, not that there's that many of them, but there definitely are those people that we did not jive. We don't need to be. We don't need to pretend. It's okay. Got to sit at the table. Did my job. Thank you for your business.

Have you had any other. Besides ferret? Have you had any other random animals here?

Ooh, random animals. So we had a rental that somebody skipped out on, and it actually is. Or was our director of operations, Kim, her brother's rental that we were managing. And this is before Kim even came to. To work with us. What, so this is seven, eight, nine years ago? Yeah, it's been quite a while. So we go into the house and it's a little two bedroom, one bath bungalow, cute little thing. And it was trashed. Like, trashed, trashed, trashed. And we're standing in the middle of the living room, and all of a sudden both of us started itching. And we're like, what is that? We had fleas.

Oh, my God.

Over us to where we both, like, we ran out. And I was like, see, I gotta go. Like, I gotta go home. I can't handle this. I have to go shower. I legit parked in the driveway. I was stripping down, running into the house, like, making sure that I did not take clothes inside with me. I had to go shower, like, and I still even get chills. Like, so now we always joke, you know, when we go to properties, like, how bad was it? You know, is it Casey? Her. Her brother's bad. Like, were there fleas? Or is this just like, okay, so that's kind of our judge of how bad Things really are, but other animals, I don't know. We had a raccoon this year chew through the roof on a rental. And so we said, what? Like, that's wild. Can you send a picture?

And.

No, this is probably one of the cutest pictures ever. This raccoon's little head popped up out of the. Out of the roof, and the tenant actually got a really good picture. Well, come to find out there was a mama and she had all her babies in there. So she went in there, done, you know, fine. Yep. Protect and everything. So we had, of course, calling the specialist come through and make sure that they handled them properly and all of that fun stuff, because she had her cubs in there. So. But that was a really freaking. Like, I actually thought it was AI. I was like, there's no way that this tenant is telling the truth. And that's the real picture. No, it really was.

So that reminds me when you say properly removed. I think I mentioned it, but there was the time that the inspection discovered, like, 35 pounds of bat fat. But same thing. Like, you can't just. You can't kill them. Like, you have to have someone come and take all of them and. Yeah, someone. Yeah, the exterminators said they removed. Yeah, I think it was like, 30 pounds of bat scat. And I was like, oh, I just.

That's wild. I. I feel like there's a certain type of breed of bats that we have here in Kansas that there's only certain times of the year that you're allowed to actually remove them. So we had another rental that bats were up in the attic, and the tenants were furious with us, which, I mean, I understand. Like, they're loud, whatever, you know, like, you want them out. Get it. But we can't do anything. I mean, it's mandated. It's a federal law that, you know, or state law, I don't know, whatever. It's a law that we can't have them removed. So the exterminators actually had to leave them there and then schedule out. I think it was like three or four months in into the future of coming back to actually be able to properly remove them when they're allowed to, when that band was lifted. So, I mean, animals, like, we have no control over all of that. Like, I wish I did, but I can't help you there, man. Like, I'm sorry.

We'll do the best that we can. We'll find you someone to get rid of them.

Yeah. Like, let me get you a professional, because I'm sure Not going up there. Like, let me. Let me be real with you on that one. Like, that's not a me thing. Not today, not ever.

I think the other one was we were in a rental, and I think it's a. Is it like a Komodo dragon? Like, it was like, massive, and it like, leans out or whatever. And like, we opened the door and it kind of reminded me of like Jurassic park, like where they do the little things that come out early.

Yeah.

Like, we closed the door and we like, ran literally like right out of the house. And I was like, nope, I'm good. We're good. Maybe should have been a heads up before we went in there.

That would have been nice. Another one that I remember is actually, it was my. One of my parents first home. So, like, full circle. Like, my whole family went through, you know, lived in that house or whatever. And my aunt Diana and her family lived there for the longest time. So then they sold and et cetera, et cetera. So fast forward and I don't know what these people did to this house. Never looked the same. But I think they. It went through. Or was about to go through foreclosure and went to go show the property. And you know, of course you're walking through there and you're going through memory lane yourself of like, oh, I remember growing up here, you know, like coming out here and, you know, the pool and all of this fun stuff, but going to the basement and there are rows of fish tanks and there are. I mean, like, it was almost like a what you see in the movies for like a grow house. Right. But this is for fish. And so they were breeding some sort of fish. And there were just like six different rows, I think, all the way through, like, end to end, and just filled with a whole bunch of freaking fish. And I was like, what are they gonna do? Like, if it actually goes into foreclosure? Like, are they gonna get all these fish out? What happens? And I was more worried about the freaking fish than I was trying to sell the freaking house. But that house was disgusting. Oh, my God. No clue what they ever did with the fish. And it definitely went into foreclosure.

I think we had a couple of those. Foreclosure where they kept chickens in the basement. I mean, also, like, I'm not sure how you get that smell out. Like, some of those are just not so. Yeah, I mean, it. Everyone sees all the, you know, shiny stars, and everyone, you know, posts the pictures about these beautiful granite countertops, etc. But there's a whole nother realm of not so nice that we probably don't post a whole lot about for numerous reasons. But it's not all shiny granite.

No, I. I wish the last one that I had that what didn't happen to me, but it happened to one of our agents. He was brand new. He showed a rural property to a family, and they had a little kid, and a little kid had to go to the bathroom. He had to go number two. And they did not know that the water was not on, so left, you know, everything in the toilet. He called the other agent and said, hey, I'm going to run to the gas station, which is 20, 30 minutes away, whatever, but I have two more showings for this family, but I'll go back. Well, in the meantime, there was another showing of an. For an agent. They went through the property, whatever the case may be. The listing agent went out to the property and couldn't get into the lockbox. And so they called Ryan and not me for whatever reason. I don't know why, but we're talking to Ryan about how. Or they wanted our agent to replace the lockbox, pay for a locksmith to go out there, have the entire house professionally cleaned because it was completely unprofessional of them to allow somebody to use the restroom. And all of this stuff is like. Basically went on about how all of these issues were our agent's fault because the kid went to the bathroom in the toilet. And let me tell you, there's probably two times in my career with Ryan that I snatched that freaking phone out of his hand. Because what got me was, we're going to go ahead and tell all of our sellers that this is how next home agents will, you know, they will. This is how they handle their transactions. And I grabbed that phone and said, let me tell you right there. Yeah, you. You can't do that. But if you want to play the game, let's flip the script. Because we do a lot of freaking deals together. And she didn't know that I was in the room, so of course she had to backtrack and, you know, try to pedal back. And, you know, if we need to pay for a locksmith, like, at the end of the day. No, because you should have another freaking set of keys. So our practice for our company is we have a set of keys for every property just in case for those different things. So that's all on you. Another agent wouldn't show the property, close it up. This has nothing to do with us. We. We're going to go out there, but the kid had to go to the bathroom. My gosh. Like, you know. Yeah. So people are wild, wild stories. Not everything is so glamorous at all. Like, it is what it is, but it always keeps you on your toes. And that is one thing I do enjoy about real estate. No two transactions are ever the same. No two days are ever really the same. It's just wild, wild west sometimes. Cool. Great topic. It is always good to go down memory lane with those things. So thank you guys for listening today and make sure that you tune in next time. We appreciate you.

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