Let me get your opinion on something.
We’re still trying to sell our house, we have showings rather regularly… we’ve had roughly 30 at this point. Yesterday we had a showing at 10:00AM. We were actually a bit hyped about this one because supposedly the buyer will be buying a house by Saturday and that we’re at the top of the list. So, we’d been sort of looking at this showing as something a bit special.
Around 12:00PM Cat goes back home to pick something up. It becomes apparent that the people that viewed the house either a) has at least one child or b) has a grown-up that can’t resist playing with my daughter’s toys. Yes, someone had been playing with Julia’s toys. Not just in one place but everywhere that had even so much as one toy, that toy was enjoyed.
Now, given that I have a child and being the type of person that I am I would not let my girl play with the toys of whoever’s house I’m viewing for possible purchase. Firstly, who knows whether the child’s toys are covered on virulent, flesh-eating bacteria that will consume my child in days. And secondly, it’s friggin’ rude. You’re there to view someone’s house, not lounge around and wipe your ass on the furniture and paw through my underwear drawer. Secondly, if you’re actually going to allow your spawn to drool on some stranger’s toys, put the damned things away when you’re done! Folks, we have more than one showing on some days and we’ve already spent more time than we care to keeping it clean, I don’t want to have to clean up after you, too!
Well, fast-forward to last night when I get a call from central showing that the agent wants to come back for a second showing. I couldn’t let it lie. I asked the central showing people if they would ask the agent to please be a bit more careful to leave the house more like what it was when they arrived, as we expect more showings than just them. This was, of course, before I heard from my realtor that they actually may make an offer today. We’ll see if I’ve boofed that sometime later today, I guess 
.
Cat was mildly miffed at me for that breach of etiquette. I admit, I often fire off a salvo before thinking of the collateral damage that might result. But hey, if you want to make an omelet, you sometimes have to offend potential home buyers. Or something.
Dan Says:November 12th, 2004 at 2:30 pm
No, you’re absolutely right that it’s rude, but depending on how desperate you are to sell your house, it might be a good idea to let some things go.
For example, when we were selling our house over the past 6 months, we came home after showings to:
Additionally, after one of our open houses, most of our snack food and soda supplies were depleted, complete with the oh-so-appealing to buyers “trash on the counter” look… it’s just one of those things we begrudingly had to accept in order to get the hell out of the old house and into the current one.
Good luck on getting the offer!
ByTor Says:November 12th, 2004 at 3:46 pm
I was brought up to respect property — especially the property of others. My parents would have never let me touch other’s stuff without explicit permission. And my child will have the same rule applied.
I can understand that they’re wanting to purchase a very expensive item (i.e., your home) and would want to be able to “explore” things such as the bathroom layout, the size of closets, etc. Maybe even peek up into the attic entrance for a look-see. But no rummaging around, dirty feet or otherwise.
The way I see it: if they want to play with stuff, they’ll have to buy it first.
Good luck on the sale. I was stuck with 2 mortgages for 11 months and ending up selling at an $8K loss — I hope you don’t have to go as far as I did… it hurts.
i, squub Says:November 12th, 2004 at 8:53 pm
Next time, douse the toys in tabasco. Maybe a little rat poison, for good measure.
For every simple problem…