Pumpkin-Shaped Head

It turned out to be a relatively pleasant and sunny day, and mostly because the wind finally went down, but now I’m worried about the severe storm they’ve forecasted for Iowa and Wisconsin beginning Monday evening. Sounds like there’s a possibility of hail and tornados. With the wind recently blowing out of an odd direction, it comes as no surprise.

I had mid-morning meeting with the buyers who placed another offer on the home they’d looked at several weeks ago, and the reason for their visit, was to sign and initial the changes on the offer they submitted which was finally accepted by the sellers, so all we’re waiting for, is the agent to get the sellers’ initials and signatures so we can move forward with that sale. I’m not concerned so much with their financing, but I think there are going to be some issues which have to be addresses after the home gets inspected. We’ll see. Any time a agent gloats over a big sale, I so badly would like to speak up and say, “The cheapies are the ones which take up far more of an agent’s time.”

Because I was interrupted several times with real estate duties, I ended up being over at my project several times, and the last time I was there, I spent a good two hours working at getting another section of that wardrobe stripped. My gosh! I can’t remember the last time I stripped a piece which had varnish so old and almost black in color. It’s got repairs needed on it before I put it back together and then create several shelves for it. I did manage to get the built-in clothes rod removed, which definitely won’t be needed once converted to a bedroom storage cabinet. When you think about it, most of our younger generation don’t have that many clothes which they hang up, and only because most dress far more casually in this day and age.

I had to run out to Menard’s and purchase additional stripping supplies, and wouldn’t you know, I just had to be out there on a Saturday afternoon with their parking lot nearly full and people wandering about aimlessly. I swear there are a great number of people who simply go shopping, just for something to do, and especially those who’re retired. Truth be told, I absolutely despise being in stores that are crammed with shoppers.

While out at Hy-Vee yesterday, I happened to notice in the corner of my eye, a elderly gentleman whom I’d done some work for many years ago, and at the time, both he and his wife had this annoying ‘attitude’ which left me feeling as though there wasn’t a thing I was doing right, and believe me, that rickety old house wasn’t what you’d call prime real estate in regards to its location or quality of construction. The reason they were selling, was because they’d decided to have a monster house built in one of our new subdivisions, so I also had to listen to that noise. I wasn’t the least bit impressed because one of their ‘folks’ told me they’d come into a fat inheritance. I know God loves us all great and small, but someone really needs to tell that guy to stop wearing that giant baseball cap wherever he goes because he can be spotted a mile away with his pumpkin- shaped head crowned with an XXL baseball cap. OK, I’ll stop being naughty.

I spent a little extra time this morning to get some deep research done on a prospective tenant who’s interested in a unit belonging to one of my clients. It seems no matter who a person looks up in these times, there’s always a red flag or two, but whenever I happen to notice an ‘FED’ being served on someone, the bells start to go off. Just for your information, an ‘FED’ stands for ‘Forceable Entry and Detainer’ which is considered the last step in getting a tenant evicted which is usually because of there being a non-payment of rent. I know I may be over-generalizing when sharing the old saying that goes, ‘Once you’ve visited Paris, it’s hard to stay on the farm.’

Way back when, on occasion I’d be assisting Roger Holtz who managed over 200 units at the time, I’d come to realize there’s usually an established character pattern with tenants, and most of the time, one’s suspicions would later be confirmed. Most times when a non-paying tenant would be told they were going to get evicted via our court system, they’d move out without delay, but there were those select few who’d hang in there until an eviction order was signed by a judge. I wish such naughty tenants would come to realize that those FED’s stay on their court records for years and years, which would possibly get them to think twice before digging their heels in until the last possible day.

Tonight’s One-liner is: Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work.

Joe Chodur

About the Author | Joe Chodur

First of all....Joe Chodur really doesn't like talking about himself but this is what we have found out about him. Joe Chodur began his real estate career in 1981 during the height of the savings and loan crisis. It's hard to imagine how difficult it was to sell homes when…

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