Agent of Rock: Ricky Sixx, Rustic Realtor

You probably recognize him from Rustic, one of the finest, craziest young bands in Beijing. But did you know that he’s also a real estate agent?

Why are you called Ricky Sixx? Why not Ricky Seven or Ricky Eight?

Ricky is from the song “18 And Life” by Skid Row. Sebastian Bach is the singer who was my earliest and deepest influence. And Nikki Sixx is my favorite bassist besides Blackie Lawless. Six is also the Number of the Beast. I named myself this when I was 18.

Do you dress like that when you go to meet clients?

I did last year. And my hair was still blond. All my customers are foreign­ers, so my boss was not very strict about it. It’s the results that count, after all.

Would you give a discount to fans of your band?

I’m not the boss and all the apart­ments I work with don’t charge an agency fee from the tenants. But they can tip me less I guess, ha ha. Although I haven’t gotten any tips so far.

What’s your favorite line to use when trying to sell or rent an apartment?

“If you like it, please take it.” But being too direct is a taboo in real estate. The preferred way is to take clients to see bad places first, then better ones that cost the same. Then you tell them that someone else is already on the way with the deposit … if you can pay the deposit now, the apartment is yours. Ha ha, it’s obviously not true, but when people are anxious about houses, it works almost every time. Everybody knows that agents like lying; maybe it makes me un­professional that I don’t do it. But there’s no need to. Though I have to say that some foreigners deserve to be lied to. Sometimes they are really dumber than Chinese, especially when they have a low budget – the more lies you tell them, the more they want to rent it.

What type of people are the most aggravating to rent/sell to?

Poor foreigners give me the most headaches. They think a lot of them­selves and look down on Chinese people. They want to live well but don’t have money.

RICKY SIXX’S PLAYLIST
“The Idol” by W.A.S.P.
“Time For Change” by Mötley Crüe
“California Girls” by Beach Boys
“Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” by Ian Dury
“Street Poetry” by Hanoi Rocks

(Click on links to see video)