Million Dollar Listing LA Episode 4

I was looking forward to tonight’s episode and was a little disappointed.  Not much going on with the guys tonight or maybe it was the lack of drama..  Am I becoming a drama queen?  Ouch!!

We open up with Josh Flagg rushing to his listing appointment and arriving in about 2 seconds..  As soon as that happened I was already fast- forwarding and hoping for a positive outcome since that situation could have ended up messy..  The apartment was pretty cool.. Great lighting, awesome views and just a very groovy vibe.  I actually thought, wow, very NY’ish..  Sorry, I am slightly biased to NY..  I was even surprised at the asking price of $2MM.  At 1,700 square feet, that’s a little over $1,100 per square foot.  Based on Josh’s description of this being a premiere building and location in LA, plus the amenities, I would have thought more expensive.  As expected, the first showing was somewhat of a disaster.  For those of you who have watch previous episodes of MDL-LA and also MDL-NY, mixing buyers and sellers is almost always a recipe for disaster.  Sure enough, that scenario showed Josh as the odd man out.  He was not able to work the broker/client and was handcuffed.  I was glad to see Glen acquiesce to Mr. Flagg’s request and agree not to show up at any other listing appointments.  Unfortunately, Josh wasn’t able to get to work and sell this unit because of the surprise decision made by Glen to pull the plug on his desire to move.  I should have seen that coming.  He explained that he had the apartment set up the way he did because he didn’t want company.  It sounded selfish.  Selfishness was further illustrated when he pulled the plug on the listing.  It’s part of the business, I get it but I just didn’t like the way it played out.  It would have been nice for us to see Glen offer Josh some reimbursement for any advertising costs that were incurred..  I was pissed off when Glen was surprised by the expeditious manner at which Josh brought an offer.  That’s his job and he does it well.  It amazes me how some people become successful..  Anyway, hallway encounters may be a little uncomfortable but I am sure Josh will be true to his classy style.  Finally, how can you not love, love, love Edith!!!!

Madison made a decision to hire Julie to represent his parents in the search for a buyer.  I thought Madison did a good job and was very pleasantly surprised when Julie pushed back on Madison’s request for 30% of the commission.  That showed some confidence and went over well.  Kudos Julie!! 

Side note….  The interview for a new assistant was very anti-climactic and I totally agree with Madison that Paige is no Heather.  I totally agree but I am positive it is for different reasons.  I am not going to share those reasons but I am going to call Heather later and discuss them with her!!

I was glad to see Madison clear his schedule and go to Park City and help close the deal.  The negotiation scene was kind of expected.  It certainly was not rocket science to throw in the furniture since it was not needed and there was no sentimental value.  To me, that transaction was simple.  The buyers agent gave us the yes decision rather slowly to build some excitement but I went to get a glass of water at that time because I was so sure it was a done deal.  Yawn…….

“I want to thank the Academy for this award..  The most drama not needed in a reality show.  Even with our lack of common sense, Josh Altman got the deal done for us and we have to thank him over and over and over and over..”  That’s the opening of the acceptance speech for Tim & Tom.  I wanted to reach thru the TV and the phone and slap some common sense into them.  The buyers came up in price dramatically and they still had to think about it!!  Really!!!  In the end they took the deal but it did not have to be so difficult.  Maybe they should take a course in appreciation 101.  The next property we saw was the 7,500 square foot home that was spectacular.  Great furniture, great location, custom finishes, just a very well done home.  And we all know that Josh’ ego got in the way as he was talking about listing price.  I was surprised at the comment about not needing the listing..  That is something you never, ever say.  My brain was scrambling as I watched that about what I was going to write.  Thank goodness for Heather’s level headedness and for Josh putting his ego away and calling the client back.  He was genuinely upset with his behavior and decision, and it showed.  Managing a client’s expectations is something I write about all the time.  It is one of the toughest parts of our jobs as brokers.  Especially in the luxury arena.  I can just imagine the comments that are going to be made about that scene and my reaction to it.  Just remember folks, we are all human and have emotions and make mistakes.  I am glad that we saw a hunble side of Josh so people can maybe start to relate better to him.  We have gotten to know each other a little over the phone and through e-mail and I like him. 

How about some light-hearted reading.  Did you know:

1. In 2002, the most popular boat name in the U.S. was Liberty
2. Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents
3. Every three days a human stomach gets a new lining
4. Percentage of American men who say they would marry the same woman if they had it to do all over again: 80%
5. Paul Hunn holds the record for the loudest burp, which was 118.1 decibels, which is as loud as a chainsaw
6. There are six million parts in the Boeing 747-400.
7. Japanese research has concluded that moderate drinking can boost IQ levels
8. Elizabeth Taylor has appeared on the cover of Life magazine more than anyone else
9. Humans are born with 300 bones in their body, however when a person reaches adulthood they only have 206 bones. This occurs because many of them join together to make a single bone
10. The two factories of the Jelly Belly Candy Company produce approximately 100,000 pounds of jelly beans a day. This amounts to about 1,250,000 jelly beans an hour