The Real Estate Reality Check: When Rat Poop Meets the Fancy Car Fantasy

Hey, fabulous folks!

You might picture a glamorous real estate agent, cruising in a shiny car, with their chic business attire and a sleek briefcase full of deals. But let me tell you, the glamorous life is just the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes, it involves battling with rat poop, encountering a dead rat in a furnace, and spending three days cleaning a house that looks like it hasn’t been touched since disco was cool.

Welcome to my second real estate deal: the estate sale from hell. Buckle up, because this rollercoaster of a story is about to get real—and a bit gross.

The Glamorous Side of Real Estate

Before diving into the chaos, let’s set the scene. I had just wrapped up my first real estate deal and was feeling pretty smug about it. I thought, “I’ve got this real estate thing down!” My confidence was sky-high, and I was envisioning a future of luxury listings and impressive commissions.

And then, I was handed my second deal: an estate sale. Not just any estate sale—a completely furnished estate sale. The immediate family had already fled the scene, and I was left holding the proverbial (and literal) bag. What could possibly go wrong?

Rat Poop: The Unsung Hero of Real Estate

Picture this: I walk into the house for the first time, and it’s covered in spider webs, not super esthetically appeasing furniture, and dust about 1" thick. The house was "furnished" and let me tell you, it was less “charming decor” and more “rodent haven.”

I start vacuuming, and that’s when I encounter it: rat poop. Lots of it. The vacuuming turned into a delicate dance of dodging tiny, unpleasant surprises while trying to get the place presentable. If you’ve ever wondered what’s worse than cleaning up after a rodent infestation, let me assure you, there is no worse.

The Furnace Fiasco: A Dead Rat’s Encore

As if the vacuuming escapade wasn’t enough, I decided to tackle the furnace next. I figured, “Hey, this thing has probably been inoperative for a while, but it’s probably fine.” Wrong. I open it up and—surprise!—there’s a dead rat. Not just any dead rat, but one that’s been there long enough to be completely mummified.

Now, if you’ve never had the pleasure of dealing with a deceased rodent in your furnace, consider yourself lucky. It’s like unearthing a surprise guest who definitely didn’t RSVP.

The Three-Day Cleaning Marathon

Armed with gloves, face masks, and an arsenal of cleaning supplies, I spent three solid days transforming this house from a horror show into something remotely presentable. I was elbow-deep in grime, scrubbing off what felt like decades of neglect. I went through enough cleaning products to make a janitor blush and had enough trash bags to host a small garbage-themed party.

And here’s the kicker: I did all this while imagining the delightful glamour of real estate—luxury cars, high-end listings, and sipping lattes while clients swooned over stunning properties.

The Real Estate Reality Check

So, here’s the truth behind the fancy cars and polished image of real estate agents: we’re also the unsung heroes of dirty work, rat-infested estates, and late-night scrubbing marathons. Behind every glamorous listing is a story of elbow grease, unexpected surprises, and a lot of heart.

I learned that the real estate gig isn’t just about selling properties. It’s about problem-solving, facing challenges head-on, and, yes, sometimes cleaning up a rat’s final resting place. The next time you see a real estate agent driving that fancy car, remember that they’ve probably dealt with more than their fair share of rat poop and furnace fiascos to get there.

So here’s to all my fellow real estate agents out there—may your deals be plentiful, your surprises be pleasant, and your cleaning supplies ever abundant.

Stay fabulous and keep your vacuum ready!

Cheers,

Ashley Blackmore