While I understand this is not the most delicate of subjects, it does remind us just when you think you have seen everything, you haven't. I was showing a home recently to a client when we traipsed upstairs to review the bedroom layout. Lo and behold, just outside the bedroom windows facing the rear of the house appeared something that caused me to scratch my head and wonder how a dog managed to get out on the roof. Upon further reflection, and noticing the trees within climbing distance from the roof, I could only conclude that a possum or raccoon had made the seller's roof a not so Porta John.

It was also apparent that the possum or raccoon had either been visiting for a long period of time or had brought many of his or her friends. I can only imagine the reaction had my buyer's wife been with us at the time. Hardly a way to leave a good impression. Upon leaving feedback with the agent who listed the home, I did point out the situation and suggested they might want to take care of the problem. I did offer photographs as proof if so desired. (What can I say? My buyer took the photos to discourage his wife from taking a look at a home that needed a lot of work [which she likes to do] which was one he was not prepared to do such work on.) The moral of the story is that we need to avoid our tendency to not check up as often on our vacant listings. While this problem may be a simple matter of cleaning the roof, it may also be reflective of a more serious problem of something other than bats in the belfry. I hardly think it a pleasant phone call to a homeowner who has already moved or to a lender who has taken the property back informing them that some time in the last month since we last visited the property some varmint had managed to get into the attic and work their way throughout the house.

Just a reminder. Not quite as subtle as most, but still a reminder.

Jeff Fanto, Associate Broker
JTC Realty Group

I was at yet another gas station the other day desperately seeking a squeegee that actually had some water in its holder. Apparently it's too much of an effort for the store personnel to walk the 50 feet to refill those.  I used to think it was just the station I went to on a regular basis, but no, it appears to be a common malady.  Is it too much to expect after paying $3.20 for a gallon of gas that we be afforded the opportunity to wash our own windshields as we stand in the 20° weather? Surely that duty cannot be one of such importance that only upper management can make the decision when might be the appropriate time to crack open another bottle of washer fluid.

That got me to thinking that it's important we as Realtors© are careful about taking care of the little things.  I am not discussing the obvious when it comes to dotting our i's and crossing our t's, but all of the other little things that, unless we make a conscious effort, we may tend to forget during the rush of the day.  Things like saying "thank you" for being interested enough to inquire about our listings, showing one of our properties, promptly returning our phone calls and getting us the requested materials so that we might proceed with our good work.  Other things like following up with a client not only during a transaction but afterwards to see if we might be able to provide any other service or benefit .

The nice thing about doing the little things is that, since too few seem to do them, they get remembered.  Perhaps they get remembered by a colleague who, as a result, returns your call first.  Or maybe, just maybe, they get remembered by a client who, when they run into a friend who is looking for help in selling their home, remembers your name more readily.  In turn, that may lead to an opportunity you may never have imagined could come your way as a result of a simple "thank you."  You just never know.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Be well.

Jeff Fanto, Associate Broker
JTC Realty Group