I’ve always wondered what the owners of those 10, 20 or 30 million dollar homes in the Hamptons would say if they knew that the “power broker” agent they hired, rarely accompanied showings in their home?! While not all of these brokers do it but it’s more common than you think! In my opinion at least 50% of brokers go ahead of time and unlock the home or leave a key under the mat. Seriously! Think about it. If they have say 40-50 listings and they’re as busy as they’re telling you, how can they possibly be there to actually “SELL” the house. Nobody knows a house better than an owner, but it’s an agents job to be there and explain why the home is worth it and actually earn their 6%!
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| Kevo lock…tells you who is coming and going! |
So what is a seller to do? Well one solution that I encourage is to install a KEVO Keyless entry system. This nifty system retails for about $220 dollars on Amazon and allows you to unlock your door just by tapping on it, thanks to Bluetooth technology that will detect the smart phone in your pocket or a fob for those less tech savvy. The best part about this is you can also give “e-keys” to your agent, friends, workmen, whoever to let them in when you’re not around. It also keeps track of who is coming and going and when. It’s a good way to see if your agent is really showing your house in addition to telling you when and how often.
Meanwhile, if you’re reading social media of any sort you probably noticed it’s crankville here on the east end. The locals say the summer people are nasty and rude and the summer people say the same thing in reverse. Either way, it’s tense out here and it’s something my friend on Facebook “Robert” called “S.A.D.” – Summer Affective Disorder. Although I’ve gotten accustomed to this seasonal fatigue we have a new honor here on the east end, Conde Nast Traveller placed the Hamptons in their “Top 10 Undfriendliest Places” in the U.S.” It’s enough to make someone move to Asbury Park… NOT! But let’s be real here. It can be unfriendly but it’s not too late. I’m asking everyone who reads this blog to take the following few steps and we can turn the Hamptons into the Stepford of beach communities in no time!
1 – Say “thank you.” – Nobody is entitled to have a door open for them unless they’re going into K-Mart’s auto doors. If I hold a door for you, it’s not an admission of your entitlement or my own social guilt. It’s just a matter of being human! So pay it forward, just say “thank you!”
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| Yes, Johnny is just adorable! |
2 – Don’t expect others to tolerate your bad behavior or that of your children! – True stories here…. Scenario 1 – I tell a small child not to step in the busy street while their parents are busy staring into Tory Burch, as the parent rushes I stop the kid from going forward to which the little spawn screams “Don’t tell me what to do, you’re not my father.” NICE! But what’s worse is the father doesn’t say thank you or apologize for the kids obnoxious response! Hmmmm. Scenario 2 – local bagel store starts making my bagel for me when I stop the clerk and say it’s not what I requested and correct the order. When checking out, I say to the worker “sorry for the confusion.” But rather than say, “no problem,” she grunts and continues to ignore me! I wasn’t rude so don’t be rude to me! Golden rule folks, treat others as you want to be treated no matter who they are and what car they drive (YES, having driven both a Ford Taurus and a BMW there’s discrimination on both sides).
3- Smile and lighten up Frances! – It’s summer and it’s the Hamptons folks! DO YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE?! There’s nobody launching rockets at your house or depriving you of your ability to shop Citarella! Take a deep breathe, enjoy the moment and realize you’re in one of the most spectacular places on the planet! Life can be a beach you just have to let it happen!
