Craziest Stories from 2024

Every year in real estate brings its share of curveballs, but 2024 seemed determined to outdo them all. In a recent episode of Selling Greenville, the host pulled back the curtain on some of the craziest stories from 2024—and they ranged from bizarre to downright unbelievable.

There were buyers who treated private showings like open houses, appraisals that spiraled into chaos, a refinance nightmare starring out-of-state underwriters, and even a post-hurricane scramble straight out of a survival movie. It was the kind of year that tested patience, endurance, and the occasional sense of humor (because in real estate, if you don’t laugh, you might just cry).

Craziest Stories from 2024

When you work in Greenville real estate long enough, you start to expect the unexpected. But even by those standards, this year’s stories set a new bar.

The Uninvited Buyers

The first story began with a hot listing—multiple offers, nonstop showings, the kind of buzz every seller dreams about. Everything was running smoothly until a car pulled into the driveway mid-show. Out jumped a couple of unrepresented buyers calling, “Is this an open house? ” (Spoiler: it wasn’t.)

They’d never made an appointment and didn’t have an agent—just the confidence to wander up expecting a tour. When politely told the showing was private, they huffed, puffed, and drove off, never to be seen again. The kicker? The house sold for $30,000 over asking.

It was a masterclass in why respecting the process matters—and a reminder that every generation approaches real estate a little differently (some think “buyer’s agent” is a newfangled idea; others can’t imagine buying without one).

The Mobile Home From Murphy’s Law

If any listing could earn a spot in real estate legend, it was this one—a mobile home that seemed personally cursed by Murphy’s Law.

Two appraisals, two completely different opinions: the first passed without issue, but the second flagged the vinyl skirting as a problem. That single note unleashed months of chaos—rain delays, contractor mix-ups, missed appointments, and more back-and-forth than a tennis match.

At one point, two different contractors almost started the same repair job (because apparently, cloning frustration is an industry trend). Eventually, the right fix was made, but the drama didn’t end there.

Even after closing, escrow funds got held up due to a paperwork mix-up between the lender, appraiser, and closing attorney. The resolution required so many calls that by the time the dust settled, everyone just wanted to declare the home “closed and exorcised.”

The Refinance That Refused to Behave

Then came the refinance saga—a deal that should’ve been routine but somehow became a cautionary tale.

Everything looked good until underwriting decided the property’s lease agreements were “fraudulent.” The problem? The documents were legitimate, wet-signed, and verified by a property manager. But the underwriters were located in California, far removed from Greenville’s reality—and perhaps from common sense.

The delay turned what should’ve been a few days of processing into weeks of uncertainty. It was a frustrating reminder that where an underwriter sits can sometimes matter just as much as what they’re approving (and that local still beats long-distance when it comes to communication).

Hurricane Helene’s Havoc

Just when it seemed the year couldn’t throw another curveball, Hurricane Helene hit—and Greenville wasn’t ready.

Entire neighborhoods lost power for days, some for weeks. Gas stations ran dry, lines stretched for hours, and tempers boiled over. The host described driving around on fumes, hunting for fuel like a scavenger in a post-apocalyptic film (minus the zombies, though the chaos came close).

Every active listing took a hit—trees down, roofs damaged, porches crushed. Contractors were swamped, insurance claims piled up, and patience wore thin. But through the chaos came perspective: an appreciation for resilience and for the communities that pull together when nature reminds everyone who’s boss (and clearly skipped the part where we all voted for sunshine instead).

The Industry Earthquake

If natural disasters weren’t enough, the real estate industry had its own storm—the National Association of Realtors’ lawsuit settlement.

As a board member for the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, the host found himself at the epicenter of confusion. The settlement leaked before local associations were even briefed, sparking panic across the country. Phones lit up with worried agents asking if their careers were over.

Locally, leadership teams scrambled to interpret new rules, reassure members, and prepare for the structural changes ahead. It was long days, late nights, and endless calls—all while trying to keep transactions moving. The silver lining? The chaos revealed just how adaptable the real estate community can be when the ground shifts beneath it.

The Listing That Refused to Close

Some homes are easy. This wasn’t one of them.

A single listing went under contract not once, not twice, but four times before it finally sold. Each deal collapsed for a new reason—inspection issues, financing snags, buyer nerves. By the third round, even the sellers wondered if it was cursed.

But persistence paid off. On the fourth attempt, the deal stuck. The relief? Immense. The lesson? Tenacity wins. (Also, maybe sage the property next time—just in case.)

The Mystery Call

And then there was the story that blurred the line between real estate and true crime television.

It began innocently enough—a call from someone wanting to sell an investment property. But the details got stranger by the minute: the sellers didn’t plan to be there, asked for random items to be thrown away, and mentioned scrubbing the house with bleach “because it smelled bad.”

For anyone who watches crime shows, that’s an immediate red flag (and maybe time to call CSI, not a realtor). Thankfully, the ending wasn’t criminal—just wildly confusing. Still, it earned its place as one of the year’s “you can’t make this up” moments.

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Bottom Line

The Craziest Stories from 2024 proved one thing: no matter how prepared you are, real estate will always find a way to surprise you. Deals collapse, storms hit, and lawsuits reshape the landscape—but persistence, professionalism, and humor keep the business moving.

If 2024 was the test, 2025 looks like the sequel (and hopefully, a slightly calmer one).

Ien Araneta

Journal & Podcast Editor | Selling Greenville