By 
Every expert has once been a beginner. I am a human. I am not perfect. I know that people love to be entertained, and appreciate REAL people.
Many real estate agents have locked themselves out of the home they are showing. Many have set off a home alarm. The story I am about to share has actually happened to me Summer of 2020.
Chapter Four: Combo 1234
It was a very hectic day showing clients multiple homes in multiple cities. Also, in-between showings, I had to call back lenders, other clients, and other agents about homes I had listed. My car at the time didn’t have navigation, and I was having to us the map on my phone…while I was on the phone. Naturally, lost on the way to one of the showings. Did I mention that this was in the heat of summer? Needless to say, I was doing more than one thing at a time, and I wasn’t off to the best start. The Texas sun really didn’t help either.
It was the last house of the day, and it was a new construction home. As we entered the neighborhood, there were a lot of dump trucks, and construction vehicles. I was concerned about getting a nail in my tire. I was already over hour away from home, and I didn’t want to have to deal with a flat tire. So, as soon as I saw the listing agent’s sign, and saw a house similar to the picture, I pulled over and waited for my clients, as I continued to wrap up my phone conversation.
As soon I my clients arrived, they got out of the car, and commented how the neighborhood wasn’t their favorite. However, they were interested in the fact that this home was in a desirable school district, so they decided to still look. The lockbox that was on the home was a combo lockbox, not a Supra lockbox (which alerts the listing agent when the box has been opened). The listing agent had given me the combo (1234…I know, how original), and I opened the door for my clients. I noticed that there was tape on the walls, but because it was new construction. I thought maybe the contractor had gone back and put tape on areas where paint needed to be touched up. So, we walked through the house, and we saw more tape.
There was tape on the faucets, tape on the doors; there was tape everywhere. I just continued to think that this was from the contractor letting their crew know about the areas that needed to be corrected. My clients were commenting on things they liked, and things they didn’t like about the home. Then, they went out to the backyard, and there was no backyard. That was the deal breaker for them.
As we were leaving the home, I locked the front door, and put the key back into the combo lockbox. That’s when my client whispered the following words to me:
“Um Kelly, the numbers don’t match…”
I SHOWED MY CLIENTS THE WRONG HOUSE. As soon as I turned my head to the left, I saw there were three more homes with the agent’s sign in the yard, and the one they wanted was down the street. I was so embarrassed. So, we drove down the street, and they passed because of the backyard situation.
What Did I Learn From This Story?
- Check the address before I open the door.
- When I list a home, the majority of the time, I use a Supra Lockbox. This is more secure than a combo lockbox, because only members of the association can have access to the Supra. However, sometimes, a combo lockbox is needed. If I have more than one listing on the same street, I will use DIFFERENT combos for the lockboxes. The two homes on the street had the SAME combo. It’s just an extra level of security.
Look, life happens. Espeically when you are involved in real estate, there are times where you want to be in 3 places at once. Not all is completely lost, because I have learned from my mistakes. Trust me, there will be more chapters of Embarrassing Home Showing Moments of Kelly Raulston. Thank you so much for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!
Additional Chapters of Embarrassing Home Showing Moments of Kelly Raulston
Chapter One: License Please
Chapter Two: What's That Noise?
Chapter Three: Maybe We Can Get a Big Stick?
Kelly Raulston
“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic.
I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016.
I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017.
When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.
