Recently I have been working with some fabulous relocating clients but they probably think I am an incompetent Barrington Buyers agent. Fortunately for me my property showing skills are so good my lack of property alarm skills are now a standing joke rather than cause for concern on their part.
I’ve never made it a secret, I hate showing homes that have alarms! And red buttons should never be touched!
Yesterday was just another of those horrible alarm and red face days. My first property showing on a very hot 103F afternoon, was an alarmed property. We were all pretty hot and I knew I had an alarm to disable. I try to write all my instructions down to the letter, it gives me the safest shot at getting it right.
“Enter the front door, walk straight back to the laundry and enter the code.”
Sounds pretty simple right? Well first there was no access through the front door, so now my orientation instructions are wrong. Remember I don’t know your home! Second when we enter it’s pitch black inside. So we scramble to find light switches. Third I am blown away by the mess inside. So much so, I have now completely forgotten about the alarm! I am fighting to get my clients to a place inside that actually looks like a house. Mr Client heads for the garage and Mrs Client makes it to the kitchen and I am left scratching my head wondering why people think we would be interested in such an un-cared for property.
Wha wha wha wha wha, oh boy the alarm goes off and I am jolted back to reality. Fortunately Mr Client has seen the alarm panel and within seconds I silence the alarm. With these same clients in a different house a few weeks ago, a red button was the bain of my ears that day. Invalid codes!
Interestingly that alarm sounded for 20 minutes and no-one batted an eyelid and no-one showed up. What’s the point?
I am thankful my clients know me well enough now to laugh but I do still feel like a an idiot. I hate alarms but if you have to have them, please give me instructions that are right and please make your property accessible. I am only human and I love taking buyers out to see your homes but I get so focused on my job if you shock me, don’t be surprised to hear your alarm go off.
In my defense, no one teaches us at real estate school how to deal with alarms and frankly it seems, well for me so far anyway, no-one is able to give good instructions. I am not one of those buyers agents that shuffles buyers in and out of properties and asks whether you want to write a contract. I am immersed in helping you find the perfect home so the minute I open a door I go into action, opening doors, pointing out the good bad and sometimes ugly. I am matching your wish list as I go around and assessing each property for you. I hate alarms, I hate red buttons, I am not an idiot, I am not perfect, I am honest 
