Don't get locked out....

The good thing about mistakes and failures are that you learn from them and try not to repeat them.  Sometimes it’s easier said than done.  In this case, I made the mistake, learned from it and have not repeated it.

The client I was working with wanted a new construction home at least 3000 square feet with four bedrooms, a large kitchen, and room for a deck on the back.  We visited several new home sites over about 3 weekends.

One home in particular we viewed was just beautiful.  Of course it was the model so everything in it was an upgrade.  But in this home it made sense, all the upgrades complimented each other.  If you have recently seen some model homes, that is not always the case.  Anyway as we walked through the home my clients were getting more and more excited.

The first floor had all hardwood floors; the kitchen, a chef’s dream.  There was a guest room (or office) with full bath at the back of the house, past the kitchen.  Out back, the yard was a good size, room for a deck and even a pool if they wanted it.  There was actually a porch covered by an overhang from the second story, and that extended out into the yard a few feet.

The first floor complete, we climbed the stairs to tour the second floor.  Four additional bedrooms, including the master suite.  An enormous FROG that was staged as a home theater room.  Upstairs laundry room.  Great flow, awesome layout.  The clients were loving it.

Off the master suite was a balcony overlooking the backyard; in fact that balcony is what was covering the porch below.  So we walk out onto the balcony and the wife half of my client shuts the door.  Common courtesy and normally not a huge deal.  What none of us realized was that it was locked.

The on-site agent was downstairs at the front of the house; we were upstairs at the back of the house locked out.  When we came in, and as we toured the home, I did not see anyone else.  Not a problem, right?  Just give the agent a call and ask her to come up and let us in.  Not so much…I did not get the agent’s card so I did not have a number.  I knew neighborhood name, but not the Broker’s name (the company marketing the home).

What to do, what to do…couldn’t climb done, nothing to use.  Wasn’t going to jump.  Couldn’t really yell, no other houses or people nearby.  Tried pulling on the door, yup it was locked.  I’m really glad that my client’s had a good sense of humor.

The end is a bit anti-climactic, no big rescue, no overnight stays on the balcony.  After about 20 minutes another family was coming through, saw us waving and let us in. 

So the lessons I learned…always get the agent’s card when you walk in.  Always check to make sure whatever door you go out is unlocked so you can get back in.  Luckily it wasn’t cold or rainy or snowy or any bad weather at all.  Bad weather would have changed the whole dynamic.  J