Real Estate Savant
Over the years I have avidly watched documentaries on television about savants. Recently HBO had a story about an autistic young man in England who could draw very complicated cityscapes after viewing a scene once for a very short time. His drawings were totally accurate including the exact number of windows in skyscrapers, the shapes of the roofs, the street intersections. It was a fascinating show and one I could not stop thinking about. How does the human brain work? How could this particular young man, who had to learn basic social skills, be able to draw with such accuracy? How could his mind take in a vast city scene in less than 5 minutes and then replicate it so exactly? Unbelievable!
In the past year I have met a true savant. His name is Mark and he lives in Westborough. He is a Real Estate savant. His main interest in life seems to be multi-million dollar houses. He doesn't go for the small fry; only the giant fancy houses. But he knows everything about them. No realtor can touch this guy's archive of facts about houses.
I met Mark at the Starbucks in Concord. He likes to hang out there - especially Sunday afternoons after viewing as many Public Open Houses as he can get to. The first time I spoke to Mark was when I entered Starbucks and heard my name, "Margaret Yalman! Hey, aren't you Margaret Yalman?" Nobody calls me Margaret, but it is my official name and the one I use on mls for my real estate listings. I turned around to see a young man in his late 20's or early 30s, medium height, fit, with short platinum blond hair with bangs that were combed and gelled to stand straight up. "Hi," I said as I turned my head to see who was calling out my name. "Do I know you?" "Well, we've never met before, but aren't you a real estate broker?" "Yes, I am." And that began our friendship.
Mark never ceases to amaze me. He remembers the colors of countertops, the flow of the rooms, the height of the ceilings and a myriad of other details of every house he goes into. He knows their prices and the prices that they sold for years ago. He even knows the names of the owners and sometimes the names of the previous two owners. He seems to study houses and their market histories like others study cars or baseball.
Mark collects the brochures he gathers from the Sunday Open Houses. He must have hundreds at home that he studies as though he will be tested on them. Lately he has been showing me black ink drawings of the exteriors of houses - complete with windows, doors, turrets and gates. Often he adds the landscaping - perfect in the number and type of trees. These drawings are really quite amazing and I often think how much the homeowners would love to have one of Mark's drawings of their home. But, Mark draws for his own enjoyment. In fact, his study of houses is a pursuit he so obviously enjoys even though he gains nothing from it.
Mark lacks many social skills. In fact, it is very hard to leave Starbucks once I start talking to Mark; he doesn't seem to get my cues that it is time for me to move on. But, what he lacks in some areas of life he seems to have made up with his ability to learn, remember and draw. He is truly brilliant in what he cares about - houses. He shares his critiques of houses, decorating schemes and even real estate brokers with me. And, I listen and learn and marvel!
Real Estate Hint - Shovel and plow! I showed a house today in the snow. It was difficult enought to get to the house on roads that were still a bit slippery, but when we arrived at the address the driveway was not plowed and the steps and walks were not shoveled. I had to park my car on the side of the street (which was a bit dangerous and problematic as the street was narrow and awaiting the plows) and the buyers and I trudged through the snow to get to the house. Owners need to plow and shovel when their house is on the market!
In the past year I have met a true savant. His name is Mark and he lives in Westborough. He is a Real Estate savant. His main interest in life seems to be multi-million dollar houses. He doesn't go for the small fry; only the giant fancy houses. But he knows everything about them. No realtor can touch this guy's archive of facts about houses.
I met Mark at the Starbucks in Concord. He likes to hang out there - especially Sunday afternoons after viewing as many Public Open Houses as he can get to. The first time I spoke to Mark was when I entered Starbucks and heard my name, "Margaret Yalman! Hey, aren't you Margaret Yalman?" Nobody calls me Margaret, but it is my official name and the one I use on mls for my real estate listings. I turned around to see a young man in his late 20's or early 30s, medium height, fit, with short platinum blond hair with bangs that were combed and gelled to stand straight up. "Hi," I said as I turned my head to see who was calling out my name. "Do I know you?" "Well, we've never met before, but aren't you a real estate broker?" "Yes, I am." And that began our friendship.
Mark never ceases to amaze me. He remembers the colors of countertops, the flow of the rooms, the height of the ceilings and a myriad of other details of every house he goes into. He knows their prices and the prices that they sold for years ago. He even knows the names of the owners and sometimes the names of the previous two owners. He seems to study houses and their market histories like others study cars or baseball.
Mark collects the brochures he gathers from the Sunday Open Houses. He must have hundreds at home that he studies as though he will be tested on them. Lately he has been showing me black ink drawings of the exteriors of houses - complete with windows, doors, turrets and gates. Often he adds the landscaping - perfect in the number and type of trees. These drawings are really quite amazing and I often think how much the homeowners would love to have one of Mark's drawings of their home. But, Mark draws for his own enjoyment. In fact, his study of houses is a pursuit he so obviously enjoys even though he gains nothing from it.
Mark lacks many social skills. In fact, it is very hard to leave Starbucks once I start talking to Mark; he doesn't seem to get my cues that it is time for me to move on. But, what he lacks in some areas of life he seems to have made up with his ability to learn, remember and draw. He is truly brilliant in what he cares about - houses. He shares his critiques of houses, decorating schemes and even real estate brokers with me. And, I listen and learn and marvel!
Real Estate Hint - Shovel and plow! I showed a house today in the snow. It was difficult enought to get to the house on roads that were still a bit slippery, but when we arrived at the address the driveway was not plowed and the steps and walks were not shoveled. I had to park my car on the side of the street (which was a bit dangerous and problematic as the street was narrow and awaiting the plows) and the buyers and I trudged through the snow to get to the house. Owners need to plow and shovel when their house is on the market!
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