A Real Estate Story You Just Can’t Make Up
By Wyatt Poindexter
Ah, the early 2000s—when Nokia phones ruled, contracts were faxed, and real estate drama was unscripted reality TV.
One day, I got a call from a past client.
“Hey Wyatt, I found a house I love.”
Great! I told him I’d call the listing agent and set up a showing.
That’s when he casually dropped this bombshell:
“Oh no, I’ve already seen it and reached out to the listing agent myself.”
Me: long pause
Also me: “…Well, this puts me in an awkward place.”
Naturally, I asked the question any agent would:
“Why didn’t you just call me to show it to you?”
His response?
“I didn’t want to bother you. I wasn’t sure I’d even like the house.”
Oh, okay—because obviously, I got into real estate so people wouldn’t bother me.
Then he added, “Don’t worry—I’m not working with the listing agent. There’s NO WAY I’m working with her.”
And he proceeded to give me a laundry list of reasons why.
So now I’m on cleanup duty. I call the listing agent and let her know:
“Hey, my buyers already saw the house with you, but I’d like to come preview it myself. They’re serious about making an offer.”
I also apologized and explained I had no idea they were actively looking again—I'd helped them before but didn’t know they were back in the market.
Now, this is where things get interesting.
The listing agent (who clearly majored in passive aggression) immediately went cold.
She told me, and I quote:
“If they submit an offer and it’s accepted, you’ll need to give me the entire commission. I’ll send you a 20% referral fee.”
For the non-Realtors: that’s 20% of my commission, while she keeps 80%... for opening a door. Once.
I politely responded, “Yeah… that’s not going to happen. But I’d be happy to offer you a generous $500 showing fee for your time.”
She snapped back:
“NO WAY. I’m not accepting $500.”
Spoiler alert: remember this moment.
Fast-forward: we get the offer accepted. I handle the entire transaction from start to finish. We make it to closing day. The sun is shining. Everyone’s signed.
Then we step into the lobby.
We’re standing there chatting, and she suddenly spins around, looks me dead in the eye, and demands:
“Where’s my $500 showing fee?”
I calmly replied, “You declined the $500… remember?”
Apparently, that was the wrong answer.
She stormed up into my face. I’m 6’2", about 240 lbs at the time. She’s maybe 5'2" and 95 lbs soaking wet—but don’t let the size fool you. The woman had rage.
She started screaming—loud enough that people in the lobby began watching like it was a live courtroom drama.
So I did the most biblical thing I could think of. I said,
“Sorry you’re so upset,”
and literally turned the other cheek and walked toward the exit.
That’s when I heard footsteps—fast ones.
She ran at me from behind… and shoved me. Hard.
Files flew. I stumbled. Papers rained down like confetti at a chaotic open house.
I looked at her and, through laughter, said:
“Are you serious right now???”
Her own clients were standing there—mortified. One of them helped me pick up my paperwork off the floor like I’d just been hit by a paper grenade.
They apologized.
I walked out.
She walked out… with no fee, no dignity, and two deeply embarrassed sellers.
Lessons Learned?
In real estate, you’ll encounter all kinds of properties—but the people are what really test your foundation. Here are a few truths I took away from that day:
-
Turning the other cheek is hard—but totally worth it. Especially when the alternative is making the 6 o’clock news.
-
A bad temper is the fastest way to lose good clients. You can stage a house, but you can’t stage self-control.
-
Never—ever—turn down a $500 showing fee. That might be the easiest commission you’ll be offered. Say no, and you might walk away with nothing but a restraining order.
Epilogue (with a grin):
Yes—years later, I actually helped her clients sell their home.
They called me directly.
Apparently, they wanted someone who could handle a closing without reenacting a scene from WWE Smackdown.
As Jesus said in Matthew 5:39:
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also.”
Well, I wasn’t slapped—but I was shoved like a linebacker blitzing a quarterback.
I turned the other cheek, gathered my files, and walked out…
And wouldn’t you know it?
Grace really is the best comeback.
Wyatt Poindexter - The Agency Oklahoma
