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Updated almost 3 years ago, 12/18/2021
QOTW: What is the funniest thing to happen to you in RE Investing
With the stress of the holidays looming, I thought it could be fun to share the lighter side of real estate. What are some of the funniest experiences you've had as an investor? How did you handle it? What would you do differently? Did it change how you did business going forward?
Closed on a home that was owned by an elderly couple. They passed away and the family was selling the home. During our final walk through, our teenage son found a porno DVD in the utility room. It was propped up against the wall, almost like someone wanted us to find it. We had some good laughs.
Not sure what was funnier, the fact that our son found it and that made for an awkward conversation because our 9 year old daughter didn't get why we were laughing (fortunately she didn't see the cover), or the fact that an elderly couple lived there.
Then, later that day, we sat across from the lady (daughter of the couple) that was at closing to sell the home. She had no clue what we had "discovered". We had to keep a straight face...
Our daughter still doesn't know why we think "Daddy Knows Best" is so funny.
After completing a major renovation in preparation to BRRRR, I finally got one side of my duplex rented!
The tenant regularly called the PM company and the other tenant requesting that someone make her a hot pocket or sandwich. If she did not get her way she would lay on the horn for 45 minutes at 2am.
Invest in real estate they said - passive investing is fun they said.
In all seriousness, I've only been in investing for a year and a half and the crazy stuff is what makes you a better investor.
Originally posted by @Charlie Moore:
After completing a major renovation in preparation to BRRRR, I finally got one side of my duplex rented!
The tenant regularly called the PM company and the other tenant requesting that someone make her a hot pocket or sandwich. If she did not get her way she would lay on the horn for 45 minutes at 2am.
Invest in real estate they said - passive investing is fun they said.
In all seriousness, I've only been in investing for a year and a half and the crazy stuff is what makes you a better investor.
"Hot pocket? Absolutely. With the delivery fee that will be about $49, and the Door Dash delivery driver should arrive in about 45 minutes. Will that be cash or credit?"
In all seriousness though, that kind of behavior warrants a call to Adult Protective Services.
#5 Rehabbing & House Flipping Contributor
- Boise, ID
So much absurdity. Friend told me that he lost the ferret when he opened the door to a rental. Spent all day looking for it in the neighborhood.
A few years ago I rented out my beautiful house in Laguna Niguel to a nice family and moved in with my girlfriend. The day after the family moved in the husband called and said there was sewage pouring out of all the faucets and the bathtubs were overflowing with sewage and the kitchen sink as well. I had lived in the house for 15 years with no plumbing problems. It was like house was angry I had moved out. Of course I asked the tenant," but other than that everything is ok?"
#4 All Forums Contributor
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#4 All Forums Contributor
- Lender
- Lake Oswego OR Summerlin, NV
- Jay Hinrichs
- Podcast Guest on Show #222
Great post, @Alicia Marks! I appreciate you and I’m grateful for you and Biggerpockets this Thanksgiving!
Mine is a bit personal. Almost 20 years ago, my wife and I were parents of three young kids. We were looking for a place to get away and relax and of course what better place could there be then one of your flip houses that is vacant but already fixed up and staged to sell?
We were relaxing and actually taking a nap on the basement floor (it was carpeted haha) when our new listing agent and his wife decided to pop in and look around. We were all surprised!
This is funny now but was scary at the time: an angry customer went to my virtual mailbox business address looking for me because he didn't like that we sent him a mailer to purchase his parcel of land. Once he realized I wasn't there, he called me and yelled while trying to get my actual address.
He thought I was actually going to tell him. Hilarious!
Originally posted by @Nati M.:
This is funny now but was scary at the time: an angry customer went to my virtual mailbox business address looking for me because he didn't like that we sent him a mailer to purchase his parcel of land. Once he realized I wasn't there, he called me and yelled while trying to get my actual address.
He thought I was actually going to tell him. Hilarious!
He couldn't just throw it away like I do with all the letters and postcards I receive daily?
@John Teachout Apparently not.
I also had a crazy woman call me from a second number saying she would report me to the FBI. Nutcase.
@Terrell Garren
Fantastic
Originally posted by @Mindy Jensen:
Originally posted by @Kaylee Walterbach:
Two words: carpet baseboards...
I'll see you your carpeted baseboards, and raise you a carpeted bathroom.
I’ll see your carpeted baseboards and bathroom and raise you a carpeted KITCHEN. Lol.
Local wholesaler mailed me a note wanting to buy my home located at my post office box.
A resident called me and asked me to come unlock her apartment, I asked her where her keys were, she said they were in the tree, she threw them out her window to her boyfriend but they got stuck in the tree 40 feet up!
Funniest thing? When I first started (3 years ago), I thought I'd actually be able to quit my 9-5 after I got 3-4 profitable rentals. L-O-L.
@Alicia Marks
I had a neighbor behind one of our rentals ask me if I could make the tree in the back yard drop leaves only in our yard - she was tired of raking up “our” leaves.
Sure, lady, I’ll talk to the tree about it.
I have been in a similar situation myself during of course during COVID! But At the end of the day the truth comes to Light and that lady was put on the news for what she did!
This is why we don't sleep on WETT signatures in DETROIT!
Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:
Having a buyer of mine ( land contract) forge the deed to the house so he wiped me out without paying me.. then sell it to another person.. he did not realize this other person was a detective.. then when confronted his attorney said his client is as stumped as I am.. Well Detective buyer had a heart to heart and he deeded the house back to me LOL.. I mean come on cant make this up.. I am hot on the trail of the notary that did stamped and notarized my signature and I was 2k miles away. During covid no less.
@Alicia Marks getting called an **** five times in a row cold calling was about the funniest thing for me. I was like “This is not possible!” 😂😂😂 I was hoping the next one was a winner, but I was disappointed on both sides. Hasn’t changed how I do what I do and I haven’t been called one (while cold calling 😑) since.
Bought a Portland OR condo at auction. When I got in found it was pained black, every inch including door jams and hinges. It had been owned by a mother/daughter duo who were witches. They had weird drawings and animal skulls in the back yard. It was a bear to sand and repaint with black dust when sanding the cabinets and handrails.
This is the season to be jolly. RE investment is just a business.
On the last offer the broker-in-charge reviewed the documents asking for asbestos, lead-free paint disclosures to be signed and submitted for a brand new home. Give me a break! The person resigned. That is the greatest moment. Speak of competency.
When we first started our vacation rentals, we cleaned and inspected the rentals. I recall opening the drawer to the bedside table and about died laughing. Let that imagination go people because your mind is in the right gutter! Let's just say this couple was celebrating their 40th anniversary. I grabbed a towel, wrapped it up. Then I immediately called them. I got the husband and he giggled as he passed me off to his wife. I told her to not be embarrassed. I then politely asked her age and gave her big kudos for having an fun sex life in their 70s. And yes, I mailed it back to her!
I recently closed on a property from a foreclosure. Before it went to Sheriff Sale I swooped in and got an accepted offer and confirmation of sale. While inspecting the property, we went into the attic area to check insulation and found the largest stash of vintage pornography, toys, and BDSM objects and material I have ever seen... Conversations with the seller were hysterical and awkward after that.
I did a full gut renovation on a triplex.The day after granite countertops were installed over the brand new cabinets on floor 2, in this secured property ... the carpenter called and asked me to come over. He found a tied up bag of human (I assume) excrement, and some dirty clothes, stacked up on the lazy susan -- felt I should share the moment. Needless to say, no one on any crew raised their hand and said, "Oh, that's mine." 12 years later, that carpenter still says, "Remember the time..."
Oh... and I have one carpeted kitchen to this day. The tenant, who has lived there since the 1980's, recently asked if we could get him new kitchen carpet. I said .... no. Move out for three months, and I'll get you a whole new kitchen and a new bathroom too... and build you an extra closet or two, as well! (Currently, there is clothing hanging across a bar as you enter the bedroom ... you pass through the clothes like love beads to enter.)
I've been assaulted and battered by tenants..... twice!