“IT’S LIKE”
25 Years of Real Estate Experience and Money in the Bank
Copyright Theresa Klunk Schultz 2011
Published by Premiere Projects at Smashwords
This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher or the author.
Electronic Edition First Published June 2011
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A warm thank you to these special people...
Members from the Ventura County Writers Club who have critiqued my script in our small writers workshop especially Craig Clifton who has always been there.
My friend, Jim McGowan, for his help and encouragement.
And Linda P. Taylor for introducing me to the new (and often confusing) world of the internet, eBooks, Print on Demand, and selling online.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Learning to swim when you are About to Drown
Guessing when You Give Someone Directions
Missing a beautiful Sunset Because You Didn’t Bother To Look
Cleaning the House Yourself because the Housekeeper is Sick
Feeling Obligated to Give Money to a Beggar because People are Watching
Acknowledging One Person in an Audience of Hundreds
Shopping for a Car and the Salesperson Only Points Out the Flaws16
Being Excited About Opening a Box Only to Find It’s Empty18
Wanting to Jot Down a Phone Number but You Can’t Find a Pen20
Finding that Your Husband Has Invited Friends for Dinner When They Show Up at Your Door
Being on the Wrong Page When It’s Your Turn to Read
Remembering the Answer after You Turn in the Test
A Jeweler Showing the Most Expensive Jewelry First
Never Forgetting a Teacher that Made You Feel Good About Yourself
Missing a Movie because You Helped a Friend32
Learning About Astrology From a Man Sitting Next to You on the Plane
Hiring a Non-Swimmer to Be a Lifeguard
Throwing Away a Shoe because There’s a Pebble in It
Sending a Thank-You Card for a Gift
Buying a Product because You Liked the Commercial
Earning Bonus Points from Your Credit Card
Being Asked Your Opinion of the New Coach and Not Mentioning His Losing Record
Becoming Friends after Learning that You Graduated From the Same School
Leaving a Boiling Pot Unattended
Driving a Mercedes because It Fits Your Image
A Child Picking Up Toys before Bedtime
Bad-Mouthing a Concert because It Isn’t Your Style of Music
Buying a Dress because It’s Beautiful Even if It Doesn’t Fit
Filling Out the Deposit Slip before You have the Money
Deciding to Spend More because You Want a Designer Outfit
Giving a Couple Two Umbrellas When It Starts to Rain
Not Checking What’s Playing before You Take the Kids to a Movie
Listening to a Joke and Not Saying That You’ve Already Heard It
Going to New York when You’ve Never Been Away from the Farm
Choosing a Gift for a Couple that Both Can Use
Refusing the Hamburger Once You See the Onion
Riding a Bicycle Until You Save Enough to Buy a Car
Refusing to Give Your Shoe Size to the Clerk
A Tour Guide Dividing the People into Two Groups
Someone Keeps Talking While You’re Trying to Watch a Ball Game
Waiting Hours for the Bus and Refusing to Get On When It Arrives
Wearing a Torn Shirt to an Interview
Being Excited About the Circus, but Not Going because a Friend Said It Wasn’t Fun
Changing the Family Dentist because Another Dentist Is Offering Free X-rays This Week
Being on Your First Call as a Fireman After Extensive Training
Expecting the Doctor to Give You the Diagnosis before the Examination
Being Offered a Cold Glass of Milk Only to Find that It’s Sour
Giving Away Something That Isn’t Yours
Giving Your Favorite Painting to Someone Who Admires It
Not wanting to Give Up Comfortable Old Shoes
Remembering Classmates When You Look at Your Yearbook
Not Selling Your Stock before the Market Crash
Studying the Details of a Friend’s Painting
Leaving Your Car and Keys with the Mechanic
The Teacher Explaining Her Credentials at the Start of Class
Letting Your Partner Feel in Control when Sharing a Bicycle Built for Two
Trying to Sell Refurbished Furniture for the Price of New
Not Buying the Magazine because You Read It Standing in Line
Setting the Scene before Starting the Story
Watching an Unfamiliar TV Show Instead of Your Favorite Program because the Remote Was Out of Your Reach
Observing Politicians to Decide Who Will Get Your Vote
Wearing Scuffed-Up Shoes with a Tuxedo
Thinking You’ll Drive Better if You Get a Different Car
Petting a Cute Dog and Getting Bit
Focusing on the Father and Ignoring the Mother in a Parent-Teacher Conference
Having a Party and Forgetting to Send the Invitations
A Guest Asking Permission to Use the Powder Room
Cutting a Board Too Short because You Didn’t Measure Properly
Deciding to Read the Book After You Open the Cover
Yawning when You See Someone Else Yawn
Going to a Wedding because You Felt Special Getting the Invitation
Reading an Ad When You Aren’t Interested in Buying
Missing a Discount because You Hesitated to Give Your Correct Age
Being Invited to a Friend’s House and Nobody’s There When You Arrive
Caring for a Tree before It Bears Fruit
Wanting Feedback About a Book That You Loaned to a Friend
Changing Plans when You’re Given a Free Ticket to a Sold-Out Event
Going to the Race Track and Deciding Where to Place Your Bet
Appreciating a Craft because It is Homemade
Reading a Letter to the Editor After You Notice Who Wrote It
Giving an Audience a Copy of Your Speech before You Speak
Answering the Door before They Walk Away
Assuming Someone Is Being Arrested because He’s Talking to the Police
Trying to Sell Pots and Pans to a Chef while He’s Cooking
INTRODUCTION
Hi, my name is Theresa Klunk Schultz. My real estate career began when I was forced to become a breadwinner after a divorce. I had been a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom for twenty years. After attempting many employment options, it was my position as a receptionist in a real estate office that opened the door to my new career.
At first, my thoughts were, “I could never do what those agents need to do.” But as I listened and watched how they worked, I found myself thinking, “If they can do it, so can I.”
After months of classes and passing the dreaded Real Estate Agent’s Exam, I finally had my license in hand. I thought I was ready.
Through the years, I acquired designations—titles from workshops and seminars—but, too often, the classes didn’t touch on the day-to-day, often unexpected situations.
I can’t guess how many times I’ve said, “This is the first time that’s ever happened.” It was one of those moments that prompted me to write this book. What great fun it’s been for me to share my experiences and what I’ve learned!
How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I knew twenty years ago what I know now.”
IT’S LIKE... offers you the opportunity to learn from my personal experiences from twenty-six years as a real estate agent. I use analogies that are “Just Like” what happens to help my readers better understand and remember the lessons.
I hope you will enjoy my stories and lessons and that my reflections are an inspiration for life.
Learning to Swim when You Are About to Drown
“Get a real job! I’m not going to support you the rest of your life!”
Those words from my ex-husband were haunting me. I was afraid. After 20 years of being a homemaker, I didn’t think I could be a bread-winner by selling homes. I nursed my anger and fear for several weeks.
It didn’t feel good. I knew I didn’t want to have those feelings the rest of my life.
The day I acknowledged my new challenge and accepted that no one could do it for me was the beginning of my success.
My confidence blossomed and I soon loved my work.
I was on my way.
Lesson: You will be successful when you decide you are ready. There will be wonderful, motivating workshops and seminars with “pep talks”, but until you have accepted your personal challenge and you know in your heart that you are ready to do what it takes to be successful, the exuberant feelings from that type of motivation will be fleeting. Only you can make the decision of what your future holds for you.