Not-So-Saavy Realtors
Lately, I have been coming into contact with many different realtors. I know that realtors are necessary, and there are many wonderful ones out there, but they have always come across as a little bit smarmy to me. They have to butter up to people in order to get their business, so you never really know if they are just trying to have us keep them in our “rolodex,” or if their interest is genuine. But the people I have been running across are just foolish in their interactions with others. One lady is a mother of a girl who is in Anna’s dance class. She is studying for her realtor’s license. She appears to be from Florida, (She drives a car with Florida plates,) but I wouldn’t know for sure, she won’t talk to anyone. How foolish is that? You are going into a field that requires you to “schmooze” with others to get and keep contacts, and you ignore a bunch of potential customers? Of course, all the people in the waiting area of the dance class are like that. They refuse to talk to anyone else. So I sit there with Emily and we get the evil eye because she is NOT quiet! Nor should she be. She isn’t loud enough to distract the dancers, but she does talk in a normal voice, which is too loud for the people in the lobby. I have never felt more unwelcome, not even at Anna’s school, but I digress…
The other place I have met a foolish realtor is at Anna’s school! A mother of two of her classmates is also a realtor. I was very surprised to find that out today, because she is very rude and uppity to me. I assumed it was because I dared to send Anna to her school without being in her “clique.” Many of the mothers are like that. But to treat someone poorly when they could be potential dollar signs to you is not good business. I just think that there is no way I would ever use her if I wanted to buy or sell after the way she treats me. Is it worth it to her to do that? What does she get out of it? The funny thing is that like everything to do with that school/church, if they really knew what we could do for them, they would be fawning all over us. Instead, they see us as a headache because of Emily, and they shy away from us. We don’t act like we could afford to be a help to them financially, but we definitely could. They are too wrapped up in their social clubs and social standing having to do with which parents went to the school themselves. Outsiders are really not welcome. This is strange for us coming from Rochester, where almost everyone who lives there is not from there. Considering that the population doubled in the last 30 years, you can see why. This is a metro community, but is far enough out to still be “small-townish,” so we are dealing with some small-town issues. As I have said before, we could help them not only with finances, but of course, with creating a true inclusive community, which is the only type that should be representing Jesus, in my opinion. All I can say is, I am glad I am not a realtor. When I do need one some day, I will choose one who is nice to me without knowing anything else about me, someone who is nice to everyone no matter where they are or what their circumstances are!