As Realtors we are programmed to go the extra mile for our customers. It’s all about providing superior service, right? And Las Vegas real estate is super competitive, so you really have to step up your game. Over the years I have scrubbed toilets, cleaned ovens, babysat for pets, helped clients find jobs, and in a couple of instances even let them move into my own home for up to a month when an escrow was delayed.
But sometimes you just have to say “no” to a client, as one Realtor found out the hard way. Below is a true story of the Las Vegas real estate agent who went too far trying to please a client.
“Poindexter” had cash buyers in town that were on a mission to purchase several Las Vegas investment properties. They had already predefined a certain neighborhood they wanted to purchase in – one where the crime index was a bit high - but the prices were cheap and the return on investment was exceptionally good.
“Poindexter” had done his research on the MLS, and had a list of eleven homes for sale in Las Vegas with good cash flow potential ready to show. He and his clients headed out late in the afternoon just as the sun was beginning to set.
About halfway through the list, “Poindexter” and his clients came to a property with no lock box, though the MLS listing indicated that one should be there. This was a brand new listing and the sign wasn’t even in the front yard yet. But the house was supposed to be vacant and the clients were REALLY insistent about seeing it RIGHT NOW, so “Poindexter” circled the home looking for a door that had been left unlocked. (This happens more times than we like to think!) “Poindexter” didn’t find an open door, but he did find a window that was unlocked, so he proceeded to climb through the window and let his clients in through the front door.
Unfortunately for “Poindexter,” one of the neighbors saw his unorthodox method of entry and called the police, who responded quickly. Faster than you can say “commission check,” “Poindexter” and his client were sitting on the curb in front of the home, hands shackled behind their backs while the police tried to contact the listing agent, who, of course, was nowhere to be found.
Overzealous “Poindexter” and his clients were then treated to a tour of local police headquarters. In the meantime, his lovely almost new Lexus was left in front of the home. A few hours later the misunderstanding was cleared up (though “Poindexter” was ultimately charged with illegal entry). Upon returning to the neighborhood via cab, “Poindexter” discovered much to his dismay that not only had the car been broken into and all his “stuff” stolen, but it had also been professionally been redecorated by a graffiti artist. (The all-too-observant neighbor lived behind the subject property where the entry window was located, but couldn’t see the front of the house.)
Needless to say, even though “Poindexter” was trying to please his clients by acceding to their request to view the house NOW, the clients weren’t too pleased with the unplanned field trip to police headquarters. So the ungrateful clients took off in a cloud of dust, never to be heard from again, and “Poindexter” was left with no sale, no car and a police record. There does come a time in every agent’s life when going the extra mile is just going too far, and poor “Poindexter” crossed that line.
