On a recent drive around my neighborhood, checking out houses and looking at the beautiful vista, I got a phone call that went something like this (although, in actuality, it lasted about a half hour, me wondering the whole time if I was being punked): 

“Is this Mimi Foster from Colorado Springs?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Ashley. I’ve heard you’re the best Realtor in town for selling hair salons.”

“Excuse me?”

“Everyone says you’re the best, and I’m going to be out there on Sunday and want you to show me around. I have three or four days for us to look at places. I’m looking for an established salon, and I have two backers who are going to be silent partners.”

“Who gave you my name?”

“Oh, I’ve been following you and see how well you do with hair salons.” (Mind you, I’ve never once sold a hair salon or anything similar.)

“Are you a stylist? An aesthetician?”

“I told you, I’m a cosmetologist!” (Um, no you didn’t, but I digress.)

“Do you know what part of town you want to be in?” I foolishly ask.

“A safe part. I know you can’t tell me which neighborhoods are safe, but my sister lives there, and she’ll tell me.” (Now I really think it’s a joke because I’d just written the article 10 Things Your Realtor Can’t Tell You. At this point I’m trying to figure out if she’s for real.)

“You know you’ll have to be re-licensed in Colorado?”

“Oh, yes, I’ve already made application and am signed up for classes. I’ve been doing this for 35 years, so it should be a breeze. Do you think you can pick me up at the airport in Denver on Sunday and we can go look?”

“Um, sorry, no, I have family plans for Easter.”

“Whatever you find will have to be in a high traffic area because I’ll be new and will need walk-ins.”

“Have your partners been qualified with a lender for the purchase?”

“Oh, you can’t talk to my partners! They work for the FBI and they’re top security. But they’re well-qualified.”

Pause . . .

“How much are you thinking of spending?”

“They said I could spend eighty thousand, a hundred if absolutely necessary.”

Longer pause . . . 

“Okay, Ashley, you send me a pre-approval letter from your silent partners and I’ll get right on that.”

That’s a half hour of my life I won’t get back, but the drive was delightful. 

Originally published by Mimi Foster on ActiveRain as Do you ever look around for the cameras thinking you’re being Punked?