Flashback Friday: The Relic Returns

My first business card as a Realtor!

Welcome back to Flashback Friday—a series where I share some of my favorite weird, wonderful, and occasionally hidden stories from San Francisco’s past. And this time, it’s personal! 💛

It’s been a while since I’ve posted — February, to be exact. Spring swept me up in the best way: helping clients buy, sell, pivot, and build new chapters. I didn’t mean to go quiet. But then, while digging through a box at my mom’s house, I found this — my very first business card from Zephyr Real Estate, circa 2006. Two decades ago. Baby agent, big dreams, and probably still thinking fax machines weren’t going anywhere. That beat-up little card hit me right in the nostalgia—and just like that, I remembered why I started writing in the first place.

Back then, fax machines ruled the deal flow and DocuSign was this shiny new tool no one totally trusted yet. We’d scan physical checks to prove earnest money was real, scan entire disclosure packages after clients signed every single page by hand, and then cross our fingers that the email attachment wouldn’t bounce—if we were feeling lucky enough to send it by email at all.

Back then, every offer was a ritual.

I’d meet clients in the office to sign — in person — sliding each page across the desk while reading upside down. I’d assemble every document into an elegant Zephyr folder with intention.

On the right side:

• My cover letter

• The offer - all FOUR pages!

• Buyer’s Inspection Advisory

• Agency Disclosure signed by the buyers

• Agency Disclosure signed by me

On the left side:

• The buyer’s love letter - can’t do these anymore

• Pre-approval letter

• Copy of the check

• Proof of down payment

Signed disclosures (just the signed pages — we weren’t heathens) went into an envelope, with the folder tucked in neatly at the front of the package inside, and the whole thing was delivered — in person — to the listing agent. That package wasn’t just paperwork — it was a story. And I took pride in telling it well.

Yes, it was work. So is dragging and dropping initials in DocuSign. But back then, I got to see my clients. I got to feel their excitement. We were in the office until midnight (or later) sometimes, and I loved every second of it. I still do.

So here’s to coming back. To Flashback Fridays. To remembering where it all began — and why the details still matter.