“Do you have a boyfriend? Yes or no? Do you want my number?”
Lindsay and her husband, David.
That was the first message Sarasota, Fla.-based real estate agent Lindsay Lucarini saw as she checked her Facebook profile while getting ready to start the day at The Lucarini Team, an Allison James Estates and Homes team she runs with her husband, David.
“My very first thought was ‘Oh gosh, why are people so creepy sometimes?’ said Lucarini. “Usually, I handle them briefly, and I’ll say ‘I’m married, and thank you so much, but I’m okay.’ ”
But, this day, Lucarini decided to stray from her normal response and instead have a little fun with the unwanted suitor by asking for his phone number, email, age, and place of residence — which he readily shared. Lucarini then began asking about his budget, what kind of home he wanted, and how many bedrooms and bathrooms he’d like.
“Why?” the man, named “Shaun,” began replying in quick succession, confused by Lucarini’s questions. “Don’t you want to buy a house or condo?” she prodded. “Isn’t that why you contacted me? To buy a house from me?”
“Do you want me to leave you alone?” was his last response before blocking Lucarini from sending any further messages.
“I have this philosophy in life that you have to have a sense of humor about everything, and I saw it as an opportunity to make myself laugh,” she said.
Lucarini then shared the screenshots of the exchange on Lab Coat Agents, a closed group on Facebook, where she got numerous likes, shares and comments — not to mention plenty of support from members of the group.
Lab Coat Agents, on Facebook
“Sadly, as a woman, we kind of get used to that,” said Lucarini, referring to the unwanted advances she and other colleagues have gotten on social media.
She says she doubts this will be the last time she receives a message like this, but from now on she’ll be using those encounters as a way to practice her sales skills and potentially get a new client.
“It’s important to find the opportunities in an awkward situation, whether it’s being able to practice to your craft or even being able to make yourself laugh,” Lucarini said. “In real estate, you have to maintain a positive attitude.”
“But guess who will be getting weekly real estate market updates from me?” she added, chuckling.