As May 1 approaches, my e-mail and phone have been jumping with activity. Since yesterday I have been booked for all day Saturday, and I don't doubt Sunday will fill up as well.
I have a listing for a two bedroom on Morton Street, and it's been getting a lot of responses. Most are from women, and none of the leads have gone anywhere.
Why? Almost 100% of the women will not give me a phone number where we can talk about what they need. Usually they want to see the place within an hour or two, as if I'm just sitting around, not doing anything. I'm not the kind of broker who randomly meets people in the street. We sit down, we have a conversation. I send them things that meet their specs. Then we go out, because I don't want to waste time.
When I ask when they need to move, these young women claim to be "flexible." This often means that they are in a roommate situation that they don't like, or they just had an argument and one girl has decided that she is out. Just as soon as she can find another place and find someone to take their spot on the lease. Good luck with that.
If a guy calls me, then he has to move usually within two weeks. We'll go out for two hours, he'll see roughly five places, and he'll take one of them. If there's a gap in the viewing schedule, he will pick up the tab for lunch, despite my refusals. He will have his paperwork in his back pocket. He will be overly qualified for the place. He won't argue about the broker fee. I will likely get at least one referral from him.
If anyone thinks that there isn't a difference with the way men and women make decisions, I whole heartily disagree. I have never had a moment's worth of grief with a male client. In fact, I have been charmed by every single one. Women, sometimes, drive me to drink. Before noon.
