About the author, MS, and Why FS BO (in his own words):
I retired from real estate in SW Washington, but only when I could no longer travel. Three years ago, doctors said I needed to “Get rid of stress and stop working.” By denying it, I was slow to accept Multiple Sclerosis. Who would want to live in a world where the spread of disease was unknown? I continued to use my own housing company, increasing the number of knowledgeable agents that needed less surveillance.
I put tenants in my house, moved closer to my office, using a disabled scooter to go back and forth on those days when I had no set times to ‘Install’ or Show homes. I refused to stop driving because one leg was still active, most of the time.
In a panic, I began to make hasty decisions. In a week that required my intervention on behalf of my two real estate agents, I decided to sell my company. For a cup of coffee, I traded my new partner for my fixed share of a real estate company (another quick decision), to get out. I had no problem finding an Associate Broker position at one of the larger companies.
When it became clear to me, even for me, that I could no longer provide the level of service that I expected my customers to have, I took the option of disabling public safety. Gritting my teeth, as the mandatory waiting period ended, I tried to decide what to do with the rest of my life. Although I once owned art stores, I even taught oil painting, I was always hopeful, even if I could not paint a picture of future prosperity. I think they had a special sense of hopelessness at the time, and I thought of trading my stress in it. When she was 53 years old, with a teenage daughter who was going to raise her and a former wife who could not work, life seemed very dark.
A good friend suggested that I write a letter. Since I had published two poetry books twenty-five years earlier, I thought it was possible. To overcome personal depression, I decided to write about the best option. I chose the novel format because it allows for the freedom to develop imaginative situations, including fictional characters, while forcing awareness of real dangers. I wanted to make a compelling case for the right decisions, not just in-home marketing, but in all aspects of life.
I have made many mistakes. Most of us do. We live in stressful, unexpected times. People have to deal with changing economic conditions, job disruptions, family problems, health problems, crime, and consequences. With alertness, perhaps we can find clarity there, standing and stomping our feet on the home plate, the turning ball arrives at the time we expect a quick cry.
For Sale By Owners: FS BO www.FSBONovel.com is a novel about people. Not perfect people. It asks, the question, "What can For Sale By Owners do if they know they are buying the problem?" As a real estate agent, I deserve to clarify something in this often overlooked and troublesome area. Most agents are reluctant to tell people how dangerous it is to open doors for strangers.
Understandably, people who have to sell homes do not want to pay for a sale, if they can avoid it. It is their absolute right to sell their houses. But often, a man would say, “We can sell ourselves, honey,” and put a sign for, FOR SALE BY OWNER in the yard, and go to work. His wife then placed an ad in the local newspaper, answered the call, and made arrangements for buyers to come and see their house for sale. The risk is reduced.
I've had clients' wives tell me they were praying that no one would call. Then, they peeked through the curtains and decided not to open the door. My father once told me, "Son, every cheater has an honest face." What my father said you can't say, by looking at a person, what his real intentions are.
If you make an effort to be an expert, many agents do not wish to intimidate or isolate the potential home sellers they may write to, later. I have no such interest.
Even real estate agents realize that they are putting themselves at risk when it comes to real estate. Every year, more people are abducted, robbed, killed, and raped in this country. The National Association of Realtors regularly warns agents to be vigilant, and to be careful with whom they work. Many Realtors
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