KEEPING UP WITH A LASGIDI REAL ESTATE AGENT

Unemployment is an epidemic in Nigeria right? Or so I have heard. I live in Lagos and I have a job, so I shouldn’t complain. Wish that were so. Don’t get me wrong, I love my chosen field, at least unlike many of my peers am actually doing what I made up my mind to do, and then am working in the sector.

Guess no further, its real estate and my name is Tony a real estate agent, Estate Surveyor and Valuer who won’t just keep quiet.  I actually went to school to get this qualification. Don’t even think that’s proud.

Sharing my experiences helps me keep sane, what with hectic work schedules, meetings, meetings, and more meetings.

Drop your comment below if you share my experience one way or another or would like to reach me.  My dairy begins from the last week of June 2013.

KEEPING UP WITH A LASGIDI REAL ESTATE AGENT

MONDAY 24/06/13-  Woke up strong, thanked God for a new day and opportunities. Took my bath and drove off by 5:45AM to beat the usual Monday traffic. In the office I prepared my report for our usual management meeting. Every Surveyor tendered their weekly report, targets and achievement, challenges and strategies for improved results. Of Course we received bashing from the Principal Partner regarding our targets for the past week.

A Surveyor who came to the office was not able to submit his written weekly report, he was walked out. Meeting over, I had plenty issues arising from properties under our management just between Saturday and Sunday. Started writing the letters and making several calls to address those issues. I almost forgot my 2pm appointment to inspect a detached house off Admiralty road, Lekki 1 I want to let.

I drove the usual James Bond driving which most Agency Surveyors are used to. Thank God the prospective tenant came 20 minutes later. Did the usual showing while hoping that this prospect sends in his cheque. Enroute office and faced with the option of paying the unfriendly Fashola Toll gate and saving my time or doing alternative route and burning more petrol plus traffic, I paid the second N120 to save my time. At office, I replied my emails and left @ 6:20pm.

TUESDAY 25/06/13- I got into the office at 8:05am. Abuja office sent in a Valuation report.  The officer from the bank that issued the Valuation instruction has bugged me since Friday last week, hence I had to delegate my colleagues to do my inspections so as to adapt the report to the Banks format. Attending to several phone calls while formatting the valuation report was slowing my pace. Of course I dreaded calls from the Bank officer. I finally concluded the report around 3pm, binded and sealed same and gave the IT staff to submit them at Victoria Island.

WEDNESDAY 26/06/13-  I have several inspections to do around Lekki, Agungi and Igbo Efon. I entered the office, signed in then drove off for my inspection. I am yet to understand why most Agents lie,

they would swear that they are coming for the inspection with their Client only to come alone with apologies.

After my inspections I branched to Lekki 1 to visit one of our vacant properties, on getting there I observed that the security man has short-let  one of the 2Bedroom BQs. I terminated the short let and reported the man to the MD of the Security Outfit. I came back to the office to face some tenants from a property at  Ikeja, listened to their complaints and gave the needed professional advice while promising to get the Landlord to fulfil his obligations. Did E-marketing of our properties for sale and to let, left the office at 7pm. Whew!

THURSDAY 27/06/13- I woke up this morning not feeling so strong but I had to be in the office on or before 8am. I started my car and my fuel was low, this car is consuming more fuel, I should service it. Got to office 7:45am, said the usual hello’s, sat at my desk and looked at my plans for today.

My boss has been complaining that there is no money to pay salaries this month so, I had to do marketing and visited banks that gave us retainership from Iddo, Yaba, Apapa, Lagos Island and Victoria Island. We met a lot of prospects with a lot of promise for valuation jobs. So tired I entered the office around 5:20pm, then headed for home immediately.

FRIDAY 27/06/13- I entered the office at 8;02 am, attended to enquiries from prospective buyers and tenants. My friend from a Finance Firm called me asking for the price of doing a valuation job at Port-Harcourt, we started negotiations; hopefully we can make some small funds to fuel our company cars while waiting for the big break from property sales.

I was on my way to collect the brief for revaluation of their propertie, was about to negotiate the bend from the Oshodi Apapa Expressway to Mile 2 when Lastma/ Police blocked me, drove my car to their station, delayed me for more than 3 hours. I had to part with a huge sum of money before I was released. I had to pick the instruction letter, took the Amuwo Odofin /Okota/Cele link route to avoid meeting those Lastma guys at Mile 2 again. Got into office at 4;30pm in a bad mood, went for lunch  then drove into the traffic on 3rd Mainland Bridge en route home.

Hope the coming week will be better!

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