Blogs by Chanti Niven on AuthorsDen.com

Since I've been back in South Africa, I've been working with my daughter selling real estate. I've had a good many interesting experiences and am sure that quite a few humorous stories will emerge from the encounters I've had out there. I've just got home from one such experience.

Earlier today I took details on the phone from a couple who were looking for a townhouse and they specified a certain price range. I remember thinking that they were being a little optimistic because the price they specified was so low. Nevertheless, I did a listing search and to my amazement found something slightly below their stipulated maximum price. I called them immediately to ask them if they would consider this particular area and they said they would. I then arranged to meet them at a gas station nearby. I had called the listing agent for directions. My daughter and I met them at the appointed place right on time and after introducing ourselves, we instructed them to follow us. I had been given directions by the listing agent but as it turned out, she did not know her left hand from her right. We got hopelessly lost and I became a little agitated because these poor clients were following us up and down dark roads. I knew that it was not the safest of areas because I'd been warned by another agent just prior to leaving and told to be careful. Fortunately we were eventually able to find the place. We parked outside and our clients parked behind us. I had been given a huge bunch of keys that resembled the set a jailer would carry (no surprises in South Africa where security is a huge issue). I was fumbling around with these keys trying to find the right one to fit the gate when I heard a car start up behind me. I spun around to see what I thought was someone getting into my client's car. I immediately thought 'Oh my god...someone is stealing their car' and I don't know what came over me but I reacted instinctively. I dashed in front of the car and literally threw myself over the bonnet (hood), shouting 'STOP!!! What do you think you're doing?' My daughter reacted instantly and although she was shaking with fear she also managed to rasp 'Stop that!' Both of us were trying to block the man from taking off with our client's car. All I saw in the darkened interior of the car was the whites of this man's eyes as he reversed away from us and then sped off. It took a few moments for me to realise that my client's car was safely parked in the spot that he had left it in. I had accosted a completely innocent man who was simply trying to leave in his own car. I wonder what he must have thought of the two mad women who threw themselves into his path. I turned around with a crimson face to find my clients laughing uproariously. Candice and I soon joined in but I have to admit that although I could see the funny side, I was acutely embarrassed. I still cringe to think about my extreme reaction, as understandable as it might have been.

My embarrassment was not to end there. I soon discovered why there were so many keys. Once I'd managed to gain entry into the place, I found that every single door in the entire unit had been locked. Each time we reached a locked door, I had to fumble through the set of keys, most times to find that the last key I chose was the right one. (Sod's law) When we ascended the stairs to the main bedroom. I discovered that the bathroom door was locked and so once again I fumbled through keys and finally managed to gain entry (cursing under my breath). My client's wife was just behind me at this time but he was nowhere in sight (I gathered he was losing patience at this point). I opened the door, saw someone inside the bathroom and nearly jumped out of my skin. I did not expect to find my client standing there. I finally managed to stutter, "How did you get in here?" He was laughing so much at this point, he could only point to the open door on the other side. I hadn't realised that there was another door into the bathroom from the passage - obviously unlocked.

The really weird thing is that even after all of this, the clients loved the place and filled out an Offer to Purchase. I'm quite sure that they thought I was quite nuts but my escapades certainly gave them a good laugh. They told me that I should be on 'Candid Camera' just before they left in their car, which mercifully was still in the place they'd left it. After we waved goodbye, Candice turned to me and said, "Mom you are so embarrassing sometimes." I reckon that was the understatement of the century. I guess it all keeps me humble...

Chanti