06/12/2026
Last Friday night, I got escorted out of an elder care facility.
Yep. John Schink. Deerwood Realty. Walked out by staff.
Here's how that happened.
I'd had a full day showing houses and writing offers but I'd promised my friend and client I'd stop by around 6:30. It was her first full day at her new place, and I just wanted to check in.
When I got to the front desk I noticed someone had signed out of her room just minutes before I arrived. I headed down the hall, knocked on the door, and she answered.
She was shaking.
"He found me."
She told me a man had shown up, hugged her, wouldn't let go, said all sorts of strange things. She's a small woman and couldn't push him off. Apparently she'd dealt with this before; he'd crawled up on her air conditioner to look through her windows. Another time he sat on her porch texting her what she was watching on TV. The police had a file.
I didn't know if she was overwhelmed from the move or genuinely in danger. Either way, I called the non-emergency police hotline and asked for an officer.
About 30 minutes later, a female officer knocked on the door. Professional, thorough, great. At the end of her questioning she mentioned that according to the front desk, no one had signed in to visit my client.
I said — wait, I'm pretty sure I saw those names. Can we go check?
Sure enough, the names were there. She'd just missed them. By now the entire elder care staff had gathered at the front desk. Concerned. Confused. And apparently very puzzled by me.
"Who ARE you?"
"I'm her real estate agent."
The looks on their faces. 😂
Apparently it's unusual for a Realtor to visit a little old lady on her first night in a new facility. I just don't see it that way. My clients go through some of the hardest moments of their lives, deaths, divorces, transitions like this one. I show up. That's the job.
About 15 minutes later, staff came to the door and told me I had to leave. I wasn't an approved visitor.
Fair enough. Honestly? They were doing exactly what I was doing protecting her. I told my client not to worry, didn't put up a fight, and they walked me out anyway. 😄
I called her son on the way out. He couldn't believe it. He apologized. My client called and apologized. I told them both there was no offense taken. Everyone was just looking out for the same person.
Her son called the facility and told them that of all the people allowed to visit his mom, I was #1 on the list. 😊
The next morning I went back. The front desk checked my name, smiled, and couldn't have been more welcoming.
The police report is on file. The staff now knows about the situation. And my client feels a little safer.
The real estate? Still in progress. The friendship? Rock solid.
If you or someone you love needs an agent who shows up — not just at closing, but when it counts — I'd be honored to help.
📞 John Schink | Deerwood Realty
