By Cherimie Crane Weatherford

All jobs require a specific skill set, a particular professional swagger, an acquired air of ability that translates into an unquestioned competence. The world of real estate is no different. Unlike the thirty minute episodes of HGTV, pairing home seekers with a new home doesn’t always consist of a seamless path from point “A” to point “B”. More often than not it is as easily navigated as the thickest of thorn laden thickets. Instead of gracefully sashaying right to the front stoop of the perfect home, signing a few documents and calling it a day, the real world offers the occasional unexpected obstacle.

The ability to manage the unexpected with some amount of grace separates the successful from the well-rested. Contrary to the capacity to think prior to speaking, enthusiasm comes easily for me. Pairing home seekers with new construction is a mental exercise of which I never tire. Assisting a family in transforming a floor plan into a family plan brings me almost as much joy as red velvet flavored anything. Being so passionate, so enthusiastic and so excited can often lead to being so blind. Prior to meeting the winter weary travelers from some snowed in city of the North, I must have overlooked one simple step. Actually, I overlooked exactly five steps. The steps into the home had yet to be built.

Typically, I am dressed for the journey through sawdust and sheetrock. My well-worn boots have hopped, climbed and traveled through countless construction zones. My excitement and innate talent of always being overdressed at the most inopportune times, has caused me many awkward moments. I remember standing at the front of a home being built and it became clear there was little hope of navigating through the sawdust in high heels. Having only moments before the clients arrived, I began searching for anything to assist in my vertical misfortune. Of all the skills I have acquired, growing three feet in ten minutes eluded me. I suppose it is an occupational hazard. I did the only thing I could do. I kicked off my shoes, prayed no one was within video range and reverted back to my running long jump days of yore. Inappropriate attire failed me, agility did not.

Once I finally gained entrance, sans shoes, I was able to devise a suitable ramp so that my unsuspecting clients could forego ninja type tactics. HGTV just doesn’t show the good stuff I suppose. The winter weary travelers walked through the framed home, room by room noting construction, discussing room layout and commenting on the ease of living in our sweet little town. With dirty feet and an accomplished smile, I answered their questions.

Again, all jobs require a specific skill set, a particular swagger and that acquired air of ability. Some jobs also require ninja moves, creative thinking, and occasionally dirty feet.  After all, if it was easy everyone would do it.

<em>Cherimie Crane Weatherford, owner of SugarBelle boutique, Celadon Real Estate Broker and observer of all things momentous and mundane lives on Lady’s Island with her golfing husband, dancing toddler and lounging dogs.</em>