Lindenhurst NY Real Estate Century 21 AA Realty: What Does Real Estate and A Box Of Chocolates Have In Common?

Very nice story, thank you for posting it.

Have a great day!

ups and down of the industry, i love chocolate.

There is risk in knocking on doors of homes where you do not know the people. I thought you were going to say you offered all the people chocolate.

At least you had the courage to knock! Beats sitting in the office waiting on a phone to ring.

That's a great story!  It's nice when you meet someone new and they turn out to become a friend.  This business is all about relationships and it sounds like you got a  good one.

Hi Collette, thank you!

Hi Nathan, yes ups and downs and chocloate is the best!

Hi Erv, There is but most times it isn't.

Hi Doug, You got that right! We don't wait for the phone to ring. We MAKE it ring!

Hi Bryan, It is all about relationships. She is just the sweetest person!

We encounter all kinds in this business!  And, it's so great when you meet truly wonderful people ... they really make up for the ones that are "not so nice."  Congratulations on the feature!

Cute post.  I love it when we get the gifts of wonderful people to do business with. 

I can't imagine going door to door. That is really nice that you have developed a friendship with the older lady.

Truer words were never spoken!  I always wanted a nice description of the chocolates I received before I bit into them, perhaps there should be a description posted on people's front door as well.

As in life and "Let's make a Deal," you never know what's behind door #1...or #2.  I must say it takes alot of courage to do that!

It sounds as though you had a real baptism by fire - at least it didn't put you off.

You are a brave woman to prospect expireds face to face.  I would only attempt over the phone or by mail.

I have never tried door knocking, but it seems all the rage in my office this month. I'll stick to my box of chocolates via the phone.

Well said, Jackie.   The tea lady sounds delightful.  Congrats on the feature!

That is such a nice thing to do for the woman you met.  It's amazing how we can connect to people.  Sometimes it's not just business, it's very personal.  

You are brave! I would have been scared out of my shoes! Good for you for blowing her off & moving on!

Wow you are brave! I get nervous just calling expireds!

What a great post. It is true when we visit we never know what we are going to come across. I actually cut back on BPO's because  1 I never go the listngs and 2 whena  house was empty I never knew what I was going to walk into

That's for sure, Jackie.  You truly never know.  What I've noticed with expired listings is that they overpriced their house and then they blame their realtor for it not selling.  And, maybe they're right.  If we take an overpriced listing we add ourselves to the list of reasons.  You story about the lady was very sweet. 

Hi Jackie,  Thanks for taking the time to visit that nice lady.  I'm betting your visit is a very special time for her.

Jackie, 

How awesome!  I had just stopped for a chocolate break when I saw your post title on my screen!  It felt like kismet.  Cute, you never know what you will get.  Glad you made new friends.

All the best, Michelle

Some will

Some won't

So What....NEXT!

Love that line from Forrest Gump.

Jackie--You are a brave and tenacious person to continue after that first homeowner...not everyone is receptive but you do meet some wonderful people in this business.

Some of them can get very stickie great post

Hi Carie, we certainly meet the nicest people in our profession! I love it!

Hi Paula, Thank you. It truly is a gift when we meet awesome people!

Hi Dale, it is common here to do that but most do not. She is a wondeful person!

Hi Sara, I suppose she was just frustrated with her home not selling. I didn't take it personally.

Hi Vanessa, that was the only time I had a problem. It's been smooth sailing ever since!

Hi Chris, that is one way of looking at it. No, it doesn't stop me.

Hi Chris Ann, It's common here but most agents do not do it. I never had a problem since that one time.

Hi Ellie, it works when I do it. Thankfully it is not a problem.

Hi Elyse, thank you very much! She is so nice and I look forward to seeing her every month!

Hi Carla, real estate is personal. I have been so fortunate to meet really awesome people!

Hi Kristin, that was the only time I had a "problem". The rest of that day went smoothly.

Hi Ciara, I just do much better in person than over the phone. I like door knocking a lot!

Hi Charlie, agents/brokers that do BPO's are the brave ones!

Hi Mike, that is why I do not take ovepriced listings anymore. Not worth it!

Hi Bill, it is special for her and for me. It makes my day when I see her smiling face.

Hi Michelle, your comment made me laugh so hard! Gotta have that chocolate!

Hi Kathy, love that line too!

Hi Teri, I figured I was new in the business and I either have to suck it up or get out. The latter was not an option for me.

Hi Jack, you ain't kidding! Thank you.

Well said, and so true!  Thanks~~~

Even when I don't know what's inside, it never stopped me from biting into the chocolate!  Ditto for doorknocking.  And kudos to you for not letting that first one stop you from what you set out to do!!!

Don't you need to give Forest Gump (or was it his mother?) some credit here? Oh... I would love some chocolates right now. Clever analogy.

You are brave - good comparison.  Way to go - keep up the good work!! :)

Forrest Gump said it, but it was from his mom... Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're going to get. How true it is. Nice post and nice analogy.

Gretchen

That first one sounds scary.  I'm glad the rest of the day went better and you made a good friend out of the whole experience. 

Jackie -- There sure is a lot more good experiences to balance out the bad ones. You are very brave to go door knocking, especially after being chased down like you were  on your first stop.

Jackie,  perfect way to compare client to client, you just never know.    Mine is Nellie, and she is an absolute joy to talk to.

Just curious, do you still door knock to solicit expireds? I'd be worried too many would be like the first woman.

No two days are alike in the world of Real Estate.

Congrats on the feature! Great title. Loved the comparisons. It sounds like you have had some adventures  marketing to expired listings. Good for you! Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing and have a great week.

Jackie it is true you never know what you will get.  I had success on my first door knocking experience I can attribute 5 sales to it.

Door knocking is also a great way to find out what is really happening in the community.

You must be glad you did not quit after the first encounter.

Great post! We certainly do come across all sorts of people in this business!

Hi Jackie, what a horrible first person on the door knock. I would have gone home right then and there.                               

A nice story to share with all. 

You've got guts. If the first experience was what I would be greeted like, it'd be my last.

I'm sorry Jackie, I have to respectfully disagree.  Give me a box of chocolates any day.  I'll wait on the real estate until I have a few!  :-)

Holy Cow!! Most people would have gone home to bed, me included! Jackie that was good of you to keep going.

Kudos to you for pressing on to the next 11 expireds after the dubious start you were greeting with at 11:15am! It's always nice to make a new friend in the process, and I'm sure your monthly get-togethers with the elderly woman help keep all the crazies in perspective!

I agree with the others -- kudos to you for the perserverance! Most would've gone home after house #1. You point out what I consider to be the blessing -- & curse -- of this business. The fact that each transition is so different can be frustrating when starting out in this business.

Yikes!  You have more cajones than I do to be out knocking on doors.  Good for you for standing your ground and continuing to do your thing.  

Two of my favorites....Chocolates and Expireds!

Love your post - very inspiring, thank you!

Hi Jackie. I remember the first time I went knocking on doors. I was a complete mess, could hardly talk, however, the experiences were not as dramatic as you had.  I mean not everyone was peachy happy to see me. I kept going and it actually gave me more strenght and power to go forth. After the third door I was good to go...

Love Forest Gump and love the post.  My, but you are a real go-getter.  I don't think I would have had the courage to finish out that cold calling on that day.  Good for you!!  Love your door sign.

What a great post to start my day.

Thank you for that.

"Hi. My name's Gump, Forest Gump.  My mamma always said, 'Life's like a box of chocholates.  You never do know what your gonna git."   LOVE IT!!!

Great Story....and yes...when we get a seller like you did first...we just "pick ourselves up...dust our selves off and start all over again"

Thanks for posting that

Ginger

Nice post thank you for reminding us that when things like that happens, it happens to everyone. You really had the "Eat the frog" first experience! Nice you made contact with a warm soul you can help later.

It's good to get the worst over first. You often find out, as you did, that it gets better from there on out.

Such a great analogy here Jackie and well worthy of the little gold star you've earned today! Well done my friend.

Jackie,

Thanks for the great story and reminder of the experiences we've had in our profession!  Most of them have been and still are great and I treasure them still.  The not so great ones make me appreciate all the others even more!

Door knocking works.  You probably have an idea why the first home didn't sell with the 'nice' reception that you received.  I'm glad that you didn't let that person ruin the rest of your day!

Knocking on doors can be an experience. Have done it for years. Just have to be prepared when the door opens for just about anything.

The only kind of mixed boxes of chocolate I like are the samplers that list what's in each little square. Do you suppose there's a list like that for door-knocking?  Suppose not.

I must say I agree with you about working with a variety of people in this business.  Some are delightful and others are people I want to run from.  I admire your ability to knock on doors and take both the good and the bad.  I have done that, too, but my big fear has been dogs running after me.  This Spring, I may try it again.  Right now, I call expireds, and I have some good times and some that are awful.  I hate it most when I get hung up on, before I have a chance to say anything other than my name and that I am a realtor.  Still -- you never know.  It certainly is a good way to get listings - door-to-door, face-to-face.  Good luck to you and to me, too!  Have a great day. Ellen

Great Analogy.  You get to work with a lot of different people.  That is like a box of chocaltes, you get to choose who you work with.

Jackie - great post - I really enjoyed reading it.

That is a great story and you are a BIg Success because you did not quit

Hi Jackie.........Enjoyed your post and the analogy.  "It's a great life if you don't weaken" is an expression that has been used by my family members of an earlier generation.  It appears that you are a go getter and you will enjoy a successful career because you don't weaken.   Your new friend is bonus.      Jack

Hi Jackie,

Great story. It's a good thing you didn't make like Forrest and 'run'. And we just watched the movie like a couple of weeks ago.

The beauty of the real estate sales business is that all efforts work!

You can employ new age tactics like IDX with PPC and get leads and sales...

and you can knock on doors and sit open houses and get leads and sales.

What a great business!

This is definitely a strong point to working in real estate.

That's true. It's also about expectations. If you think everyone will be a jerk, you'll find them. Expect the best when prospecting. I know it's easier said than done.

That's impressive that you kept moving along with your day to pursue the rest of the expireds on your list.  If you had not, you wouldn't have met that lady you still meet with to this day.  Thanks for sharing your story!

Most days, I'd rather have the chocolates. And here lately, I'd rather have the expireds than some of the Realtors® real estate agents, I have had to deal with!

Shades of Forrest Gump - and absolutely true. After that first door-knocking experience it must have been tough to keep going on to the others. Good for you for keeping on - and for finding a new friend as a reward.

Way to go to push through! NEXT! Knocking on doors sure toughens the skin!

Thank you Trish!

Hi Jayne, I would also just take and bite into one. Love chocolate! Thank you Jayne.

Hi Melissa, thank you. Chocolate is a girl's best friend.

Hi Joy, thank you very much!

Hi Gretchen, that is right. You never know what you are going to get. All of life is like that. That is what makes life interesting.

Hi Rich, making a new friend of course was the best part!

Hi Barbara, I figured she just took it out on me. Didn't take in personally.

Hi Yvonne, isn't that so wonderful? :)

Hi Tammie, I do and I also do other door knocking as well. I haven't had a problem like that since that day.

Hi Luis, you got that right! Diversity is a great thing.

Hi Laurie, thank you very much. You also have a great week.

Hi Jennifer, good for you! I felt great that I continued that day. I can't control what people do and say.

Hi Donald, thank you and yes we do.

Hi Sandy, it was one person having a bad selling time. I didn't think everyone else would have been the same way or else I would have stopped for sure.

Hi Cheryl, thank you and have a great week!

Hi Allison, thank you!

Hi Loreena, Nah, I think you would have done the same thing as I did!

Hi Gabe, chocolate is a good thing :)

Hi David, I think you would have continued as well. Just one person having a bad day.

Hi Charlie, meeting her that day was the best part and has been ever since!

Hi Brenda, I didn't think the rest of the homeowners would have been like her. If they were, I don't think I would be here.

Hi Jared, I doubt that Jared :) Thank you!

Hi Joeann, Absolutely!

Hi Kevin, Mine too........especially the chocolate!

Hi Robin, and thank you! Have a great week.

Hi Cheryl, Yes the first few doors are nerve wracking! After that, it gets so much easier.

Hi Linda, and thank you for the compliment. I think you would have done the same as me.

Hi Ginger, that is what we have to do or we are dead from the get go. Have a great week.

Hi Pamela, thank you and I never read that book. Have a great week.

Hi Marshall, exactly! It gets easier the more you do it.

Hi Craig, and thank you my friend!

Hi Don, there is more good than not so good in real estate. Havea  great week!

Hi Michael, those were my thoughts as well :) Thank you and have a great week!

Hi Bill, it certainly can. Always be prepared for what is next.

Hi Carolyn, would be nice if there was one! Would make our jobs easier.

Hi Ellen, I just do better in person than calling. But I do know agents that do well with calling. You also have a great day!

Hi Ric, yes that is also wonderful being able to pick and choose with whom we want to work wtih.

Hi Kathy, thank you and have a great week!

Hi Steve, quitting is not an option in this business. It does get easier as time goes on.

Hi Jack, thank you for saying that. Have a great week!

Hi Walter, I'm glad I didn't either. I saw it on last week but didn't have time to watch it. Such a great movie!

Hi Bart, it all works if we work it. Have a great week!

Hi Rocky, yes it is!

Hi Lyn, expecting everyone to be happy is never going to happen. We wish it could be that easy!

Hi Patricia, yes, I never would have met her if I quit after that first door knock. Have a great day!

Hi Woody, I hear you on that! All professions have their difficulties.

Jackie:

You are braver than I.  I would have stopped with that first attempt.  What a rude person that woman was.  No wonder her home expired.

Did you ever get one of those expired listings?  Do you still market them?  How is it working out?

Thanks for the chuckle! 

Jackie how true.  Home owners come in all types.  That's part of what makes our job interesting.

How true.  Variety in clients keeps the process interesting.  Now you've got me comparing them to different pieces of chocolate in my mind.  Hmmm...

Yes our homeowners come in all types.  This is what I love about this business, you never know what your day will be like.  As you said in your post..."you never know what you are going to get'.

Keep prospecting!

Hi Evelyn, I don't think it's a brave thing. She could have had other things going on in her life and I was right there in the line of fire. I think if I didn't continue, I would be here toay helping sellers and buyers.......I think.

Hi Gene, I have gotten quite a bit. I also do other forms of door knocking which actually work better for me.

Hi Cindy, and thank you for stopping by.

Hi Cindy, I love meeting all kinds of people!

Hi Nancy, Sounds like you have an idea for a blog post!

Hi Debi, that is what I love most of all being in real estate. I get to meet all kinds of people and most are so nice!

Hi Jennifer, thank you and have a great week!

Wow, that would be a tough first door to knock on! Great job continuing with the list! It's funny how we do find friends through this business and some people we know we won't be trying to prospect again and just check of the list. I like the comparison to chocolate, timely for Valentines Day!

Hi Jackie, I agree and like that box of chocolates we keep trying the next hoping to get a good one.  Except we usually make ourselves sick first! lol

Hi Jackie, I agree and like that box of chocolates we keep trying the next hoping to get a good one.  Except we usually make ourselves sick first! lol

When I first started in real estate I would go in person to the expired listings and had all kinds of experiences.  Most of them were discouraging, especially when people were full of hate.  I did list houses through this form of prospecting.

Jackie ~ that first home owner would have thrown me off my game.  What a strange reaction.  Maybe he worked nights?!

Hi Sylvie, yes it's funny how we meet people and they end up becoming friends.

Hi Bob, when it comes to candy, yes we can make ourselves sick, lol. I remember doing that as a kid. Picking a candy out of the box and if I didn't like it, back it went, lol.

Hi Dale, prospecting expireds is so different than anything else. Homeowners are frustrated and who can blame them?

Hi Dawn, Who knows what hours she worked. Either way, the rest of my day went well. I have never come across anything like that again. Love your new photo Dawn!

YOu have given great advice..

Thanks,

Hi Ginger, thank you!