My first listing back in 1990 was done on a dare!
I didn't know the right way or the "Rome" way to do things back then. I felt I had nothing to lose.
When I started in real estate, my husband had just accepted the position of CEO of a local company. He was replacing "Bob" whose contract had not been renewed.
One day TLH said to me:
'Bob needs to sell his house, why don't you give him a call?"
With no experience...I was still in the first few weeks of training.
And then Lee said:
''I dare you!''
So I picked up the phone, called Bob and congratulated him on his "retirement".
I cautiously mentioned my new real estate career and
asked if he needed help with the sale of his house.
What did Bob do?
He actually hung up on me!
And My Lee was smiling.
Was I discouraged? You bet... but just for the moment.
I remembered the company was having it's annual picnic in a few days and I was wondering if Bob would be attending.
So again I dialed his number and when he answered, I said:
'This is Margaret,
do not hang up on me.'
My next sentence:
" If you are coming to the picnic on Sunday, promise you will not list your house with anyone until you speak with me.''
And then I hung up!
At the picnic I sat down with Bob and he hit me with 3 statements.
1. Why would I list my house with you?
2. You don't know my neighborhood.
3. The agents who sold me this house live across the street.
Yes, I got the listing and Bob's home was sold in a week for full price.
Go ahead and dare me!
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Broker-Owner HomeRome Realty
Author of Real Estate the Rome Way
mrome@HomeRome.com
410.530.2400
After you called him back, I bet he was "sold" on your tenacity. Love this story.
It took a bit more convincing at the picnic and then another follow up call. Thanks Susan Haughton
Great story, Margaret. You definitely did it the ROME way!
I double-dog dare you, Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland!! Love this story! Look at you now!
That is a great story and glad you turned the tables on him. It goes to show we shouldn't take no for an answer.
Debbie Reynolds Selling does not begin until we hear our first "NO"
Haha, what a great story! I'm glad you were able to get that listing (but not surprised!)
That's a great success story. More importantly, it shows agents to not be intimidated by actions that could be rejection.
Chris Ann Cleland You are so right. Without the dare, I probably would not have gone after this listing.
Hi Margaret - Great story, and a good lesson for everyone, rookies and seasoned agents alike, and an impressive start to what was always going to be a successful career.
Featured in BananaTude!
Dick Greenberg Thank you for the feature in BananaTude. Landing that listing was a good start for me.
Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland Love this story - it's so you!!! Great start in real estate.
Now that is a great story and very brave of you.
Hi Jane Peters Guess it was brave but I felt there was nothing to lose. It was not as brave as actually taken the listing when I had no idea what I was doing. My then manager, went with me. But I told him not to say anything..
Good energy reading this! Thanks for revving up my engines! Great enjoyment.
Elizabeth Murphree This is a great place to get your engines revved up! Welcome to ActiveRain.
Wow!! What a great story your persistence certainly paid off. Thanks for sharing I hope you have a great afternoon.
Pat Champion It was definitely my persistence in getting this one.
and so was born the Rome way...
poor guy never knew what he stepped into by hanging up.
Of course, I think the Rome way may also now be setting up calls just a bit differently.
Claude Labbe You are so right...I do things deliberately now...not on a dare.
That's a great story! I'm glad it had a happy ending!
Beth Bromund Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the follow!