The year was 1980, it was late-May, and Ronald Reagan would soon become the 40th President of the United States. My dad took out the family on a Friday night to the movies to see The Empire Strikes Back.
It was a pretty big deal.
The line at the theater stretched around the block and I remember the exciting energy of the crowd to see the movie.
Knowing we would be in line waiting for a long time my mom even brought snacks for us.
I had no idea what to expect, I was just a chubby little seven year old who had never been inside a movie theater before and Star Wars was going to be my first.
It was a pretty awesome experience, and one I will never forget.
Ever since then I loved going to the movies.
In life everybody has something to do with real estate: We all have to live somewhere. Families move and people buy/sell their homes. We also rent apartments and homes as well.
In Hollywood, the best movies tell stories which are familiar to our lives and make it entertaining to watch and since we all have to live somewhere many movies revolve around homes and real estate.
More specifically there are several movies which tell some great real estate stories.
Most real estate agents can appreciate these films and relate to them in their own ways.
This is my list of The Top Six Real Estate Movies for Real Estate Agents. Plus, I have some bonus videos depicting sales calls and company meetings which are just awesome.
1. Glen Gary Glen Ross
In my opinion, this is the number real estate movie of all time. Just to be clear, I don’t advocate this type of “salesmanship”. The hardcore philosophy that “everyone wants to buy something so just sell them something”, is totally old school. I believe in being of service instead of selling hardcore.
There is just something awesome about Alec Baldwin’s motivational speech to these agents on a cold rainy Chicago night.
2. The Amityville Horror
This movie scared the hell out of me and my sister when we were kids. I can’t believe our parents let us watch this horror movie.
It’s an evil haunted house movie which was based on a true story. A family purchased a home for a bargain price, but it they got much more then they bargained for.
3. Pacific Heights
It’s Matthew Modine, the Landlord, VS. Michael Keaton, the Renter, in your typical crazy renter story. In the middle of this melodrama is Melanie Griffith who tries to be the voice of reason in the beginning of the movie.
Matthew Modine literally goes nuts over his crazy renter.
4. The Money Pit
A true 1980’s classic. Right up there with all of Tom Hank’s other great 80’s movies, such as, Bachelor Party and Splash.
Tom Hanks and Shelly Long buy a fixer upper together in hopes of building their own dream house. The project becomes a nightmare and severely strains their relationship.
5. Terror Tract
Who doesn’t love John Ritter.
He was funny. He’s Jack from Three’s Company, the cool guy. Just one of those actors that everyone likes to see in a movie.
But this movie should have never been made.
It’s so bad that I have to include here. John Ritter plays a real estate agent and he’s got to sell this house by the end of the day or else he goes to hell. So he pulls all the sales tricks and techniques to do it.
6. The Breakup
Jason Bateman does a great sellers consultation for his friends Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn as their real estate agent.
This really is a great movie and it was shot here in Chicago. It’s about a breakup between the two main characters played by Jennifer A. and Vince V. The couple owns a condo together in Chicago and if they breakup then they will have to sell it.
Their breakup starts and then they decide to sell the condo. In each step there is just a massive mis-communication going on between this couple. It’s like watching a train crash in real time.
Great movie and every couple and real estate agent should watch it.
Bonus Movie Videos
Let’s not let this party stop now. There are plenty more of films which depict other familiarities for real estate agents like office meetings and sales calls.
Here’s some that I know you’ll like…
a. The Ben Affleck Boiler Room Speech
This is one of the best introduction talks/speeches for new recruits into an office that I’ve ever heard.
Ben Affleck is a bad ass here.
b. The Don Drapper Sales Pitch
Jesus?
c. The Roger Sterling Method for Building a Relationship With a New Client
Just classic….
d. Sales Call with Chris Farley
No words really needed here, but this is not the way to do a sales call.
e. More Tommy Boy….
Just because there are so many great clips from this movie…
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Did I miss any movies and/or great clips?
If I did then prove me wrong and share what you have.
You can COPY and PASTE a direct link for any video clips of other great real estate movies in the comment section below.
Plus, leave your comments below…
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Vaya con Dios amigos.
Hey, I have a whole website section focused on real estate in movies, but I still forgot to add movies like Terror Tract – never heard of it, but I’ll have to see that one! Glengarry Glen Ross and The Money Pit are the most important and obvious ones, of course!
I recommend Closing Escrow, I found it hilarious! But you wouldn’t believe how many movies actually talk about real estate, one way or another. Whether it’s about the realtor, the home selling/buying process, building a home, real estate investment.. It’s a huge topic!
If you want to get inspired, I humbly present my real estate in movies list so far. I would love to hear your opinion!
Cheers,
Julie
LOL, yeah terror tract is pretty funny, the best scene is at the end when John Ritter just goes nuts when the buyers won’t buy the home.
Ill check out Closing Escrow, I never saw that one. Plus Ill check out your list Julie.