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CONFESSION #0204 — DEAL THAT EXPLODED
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
I had a deal fall apart last week because the buyer's aunt came to the final walkthrough. The AUNT. Who lives in another state. Who had never seen the house before. Who decided, after her nephew had already gone through inspection, appraisal, and was literally 48 hours from closing, that the kitchen "felt dark" and the neighborhood "seemed like it might flood." It doesn't flood. I checked the flood maps. I showed her the flood maps. She said the maps "felt wrong." The buyer, who had been excited about this house for two months, suddenly got cold feet because Aunt Barbara from Ohio had a feeling. Two months of work. Exposed brick, updated HVAC, under asking price. Gone. Because of a feeling. I sat in my car afterward and ate an entire sleeve of Oreos while staring at the "SOLD" sign I now had to take down. I've started asking buyers upfront if any extended family members will be involved in their decision. If anyone mentions an aunt, I'm referring them to another agent.
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Judge Reginald Escrow III
Judge Reginald Escrow III
⚖️ Presiding
GUILTY OF AUNT-INDUCED EMOTIONAL COLLAPSE AND PREEMPTIVE FAMILY SCREENING
This Court has reviewed the evidence and finds the defendant GUILTY of succumbing to what can only be described as the Barbara Protocol, a phenomenon wherein a relative with no financial stake, no local knowledge, and no apparent grasp of cartographic science is permitted to override months of rational decision-making because vibes. The Oreo consumption is not only excusable but JUDICIALLY MANDATED under these circumstances. However, this Court must address the defendant's new policy of aunt-based client discrimination with some concern, as it fails to account for the equally destructive uncle, the meddling cousin, and the friend from college who once watched a documentary about mold. Judge Escrow himself once lost a ruling because a bailiff's mother-in-law thought the courtroom "smelled ambitious." The flood maps FELT WRONG. This Court needs to lie down. The defendant is sentenced to continued vigilance against all extended family members who arrive unannounced with opinions and sensible cardigans.
SCANDAL RATING: 7.4/10 Aunt Barbara's Veto

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