Buyers had a confirmed showing appointment and thought it was a good idea to show up 2 hours early without their agent and peak in the windows! (That is called trespassing!!). What they didn’t realize is that the seller just showered and was walking down the hall, naked, to the bedroom and saw them looking in. Fortunately, the buyers were not looking in his direction! Of course he was distressed, especially when he discovered they had taken his son’s sidewalk chalk and wrote their names on his driveway with a message stating how much they wanted the house. Even though they were the highest of 30submitted oLers, my sellers did not choose them due to their disrespectful and brazen choices.
LESSON: Wait for your agent to show the property at the confirmed appointment time!
Shortly before my seller’s 1pm home inspection that day, their neighbor decided it was a good idea to cut his 40-foot tree down, ALL BY HIMSELF!! Well, that didn’t go so well as his tree landed on my seller’s fence and family room leaving significant damage. The buyer and the agent showed up for the inspection right after the tree fell and were aghast. The buyer immediately cancelled the inspection and the contract. Fortunately, my sellers got a contract a few days later and repairs were completed prior to closing.
LESSON: Please ask your neighbors to hire tree trimming professionals!
Shortly before my seller’s 1pm home inspection that day, their neighbor decided it was a good idea to cut his 40-foot tree down, ALL BY HIMSELF!! Well, that didn’t go so well as his tree landed on my seller’s fence and family room leaving significant damage. The buyer and the agent showed up for the inspection right after the tree fell and were aghast. The buyer immediately cancelled the inspection and the contract. Fortunately, my sellers got a contract a few days later and repairs were completed prior to closing.
LESSON: Please ask your neighbors to hire tree trimming professionals!
I began showing the inside of a property to my buyers before heading out onto the patio. After walking around the generous, fenced yard, we stood on the patio discussing our findings before going back into the house. There was this awkward moment between us as we were all seemed to be thinking the same thing but were afraid to say anything…what was the source of that pungent, unpleasant smell?? …. Finally, I asked everyone to look on the bottom of the shoes and there it was…. dog do-do!! Too often a common occurrence when touring a yard!!
LESSON: Remember to look down when walking around the yard!
Buyers begin shopping for houses online, carefully reviewing the property photos. They often comment about the accuracy or misrepresentation of them. Sometimes they make the room look bigger or the house look better, and sometimes, sellers will remove certain items for the photos and then put them back. Such was the case years ago as my buyers and I viewed a house that displayed various size sculptures and statues of personal body parts that were NOT in the online photos. Every room brought another “Oh my!” from at least one of us. I reluctantly showed the primary bedroom, uncertain what we’d find. And there it was…an oversized painting above the bed of the lovely couple, naked of course! My buyers ended up selecting another house to purchase, however, we had many giggles as we reminisced about what became known as “the naked house”!
LESSON…make sure your photos online match what the buyers will see in person! Sellers, please note, buyers do not want to know you that well!
Working with buyers begins with understanding their needs so I can help them find just the right house to achieve their home ownership goals. One couple had an unusual, yet VERY practical need…. So, every house I showed begin with a direct trip to the bathroom so the large, athletic built husband could “try on” the toilet to make sure there was room all around. His wife and I had lots of laughs watching him try to meet his need! There were some houses we only needed to spend but a few minutes at! They ‘re now proud owners of a 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom house, all with “seats” that fit him perfectly!
LESSON: Be very clear about what your needs are when purchasing a house!
