When The Seller Comes To The Door Naked

One of the most common questions people ask me is "What is the strangest thing you've ever seen selling a home"?

Like many of you... it's hard to pinpoint just one!  However, it would have to be the time the seller answered the door naked.  And the story goes:

Here I am, 24 years old (yes, I know that was a LONG time ago) showing some clients from out of town.  This was one of my first showings with people I didn't know personally.

We arrive at the home, which at the time was fairly upscale.  The seller was "somewhat" prominent in Las Vegas, although I didn't realize it until later when I shared my story with my Broker.

I couldn't be more excited and nervous to work with "real" clients.  You know, someone who wasn't a friend or family member.  I was going to show them what I was made of!!

I ring the doorbell & I'm ready for "SHOWTIME"!  Little did I know, the seller had a different idea.  This man opens the door, BUCK NAKED.  Not standing behind the door, just full frontal for all of us to see his family possessions!

Now, you might think I panicked, blushed or just plain freaked out right?  Nope!  I'm not sure where the composure or the words came from, but this is what I said.

"Good Afternoon Mr. (Blank), my name is Sue Nelson and we have an appointment to see your home today.  Would you be so kind as to put a "little something" on so my clients can comfortably view your home"?

The seller agreed, waddled off with his little butt winking at us the whole way.  He returned clothed, the buyers viewed the home (albeit reluctantly), I thanked the seller for his hospitality and off we went.

Well, my buyers did not buy that house.  Although, they were so impressed with my ability to stay calm under pressure - they did allow me to sell them something else.

I read somewhere... Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it! (author unknown)  Do you have any strange sightings to report?

 
Post is included in group: Las Vegas Real Estate

37 Comments on When The Seller Comes To The Door Naked

That is too funny. I hope for your sake he was a good lokking fellow. LOLL

05/27/2007 10:34 AM by T.U.P. Realty


I'm not sure I would have done so well under the circumstances. I haven't had any situations like that so far, but I'm sure it won't be long.

05/27/2007 10:52 AM by Jennifer Steck- Denver Real Estate (Rocky Mountain Homescapes, Keller Williams, Denver Colorado)


Jeff:  If he was good looking I wouldn't have asked him to get dressed!  LOL

Jennifer:  Let's hope you don't run into anything that cuckoo.  The composure had to come from the fact that I was a single parent w/2 small boys and knew I needed to make a sale!  It's the only thing I can think of!

05/27/2007 10:56 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Oh MY!  Thanks for a great laugh with my morning coffee.

05/27/2007 11:35 AM by Debbie White, RE/MAX of Juneau, Alaska (RE/MAX of Juneau)


Oh...my! I'd thought I have heard it all!

05/27/2007 07:03 PM by Mary Kent~Grand Rapids, MI (Five Star)


Debbie & Mary:   I was trying to decide how I might react today... older and wiser... I'd probably just point & laugh. NO!!  Just kidding!!!  Back then, I needed to put food on the table & diplomacy definitely seemed like the best plan.

05/27/2007 07:23 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


One of the things I find funny is when I do a loan signing, and the client opens a beer!  You never know what they will do!

05/30/2007 01:50 PM by Jonathan Vetter (Mercury Lending)


OMG!  My husband had a similar thing happen.  He was out door knocking and a woman came to the door naked.

05/30/2007 03:06 PM by Michelle Ewing - Realtor, Riverside, CA (ERA Trademark Realtors)


Jonathan:  It's ok if they share though!  <wink>

Michelle:  See now the guy thing didn't surprise me, but the woman does for some reason.  Funny!

05/30/2007 04:45 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


That is hysterical!!! You handled it great! :-) I like the part about his little butt winking......very good!!

05/30/2007 08:03 PM by Mesa, Arizona Real Estate *** Teri Ellis, Broker, ABR,CRS,GRI,ePRO,MRE (Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC)


Outstanding story!  Not that the moment was outstanding, but it's great to look back and laugh!  I think this could be worked into a training manual somewhere.....

 

 

05/30/2007 08:18 PM by Dave Marzinke (American Sterling Bank)


Teri:  I was trying to give you a visual with the butt winking!!

Dave:  How would be classify that section of the manual??  How to handle FLASHERS!!  Ha!! See.. now you got me thinking of another story to write!

05/30/2007 08:26 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Sue, I've always heard the stories of something like this happening, but haven't been in the situation and hope I don't have to.  You obviously did a great job of handling the situation.  I probably would have busted out laughing and walked away.  Great job!  I can't top your story.

05/30/2007 10:59 PM by David L. Britt, MBA (The Heritage Real Estate Team)


David & Robin:  At the time, I was the poster child for "NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT"!!  Now, I'd probably just laugh!!

05/30/2007 11:19 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I had a similar experience.  I took my clients to preview a home.  I made an appointment for a specific time and was instructed to knock first.  I rang the bell several times and announced myself before entering.  When we entered the master bedroom we found an undressed female prancing around.  She was DEAF and did not hear us come in.

06/03/2007 01:01 PM by Cheryl S. Miller~Maryland Real Estate, COS, Serving The National Harbor Area (Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc.)


Having a client's teenage daughter in the shower when we arrived is the worst I've experienced. 

Would you still handle it the same way today - now that you are a mature agent? 

06/03/2007 02:05 PM by Joan Snodgrass Tri-Lakes Realtors, Shell Knob, MO (Tri- Lakes REALTORS)


Sue,

How strange!  It is great that you can laugh about it now but I am sure it wasn't too funny at the time.  I am glad that your clients appreciated your professionalism.  I can only imagine what I would do!

Rita 

06/03/2007 02:06 PM by Rita Taylor | Sanford NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina (Strother Real Estate)


We were all on MLS caravan touring homes in the area one day when someone opened the bedroom door and there were the owners still in bed making whoopie. Talk about embarrasing. They forgot about the tour.

06/03/2007 03:56 PM by Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker (Prudential Verani Realty)


Cheryl:  Oh my goodness... You'd think they would have taken her hearing disability into consideration wouldn't you?

Joan:  Oh, a teenager - that would be bad.  This guy KNEW what he was doing... Being older & wiser... today, I might be a little more harsh with him.  I'd probably say something like 'Are you kidding me'?  Get dressed you freak!!   LOL

Rita:  It was easy to laugh about as soon as it was over.  At that exact moment though, not so much!

Jay:  Oh my!!

Thank you all for your comments!

06/03/2007 04:01 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


that is so funny! I once mixed up addresses. A 101 Mayflower St.and a 101 Mayflower Ct. were on the market. I made the appt for one and showed the other....Oops!

When I entered the front door a family pet-  was there hissing at me. They let it run loose in the house while they were away.

Needless to say I almost wet my pants!

06/03/2007 04:10 PM by Michele Connors, Broker in Charge (Coldwell Banker First Realty Morehead City)


Michele:  ALMOST wet your pants??  Yikes!! I don't like reptiles - I'd much rather see a middle aged overweight man naked!!!

06/03/2007 04:16 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Finding a couple making whoopie isn't all that unusual - having the seller open the door buck naked is one I haven't heard in our area. Great response for 24!

06/03/2007 06:34 PM by Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro)


Hi Sue - I included this post in this week's Localism Week in Review.  Interesting story, for sure!

Ann

06/03/2007 08:56 PM by Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire)


Sue, Absolutely perfect response for anyone, much less a 24 year old.  What was that seller thinking?

06/03/2007 09:45 PM by Margaret Rome- Baltimore, Md.-HomeRome.com (TREC-Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome)


Margaret:  Not sure what he was thinking!!  I was thinking - OMG!!

06/03/2007 10:04 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


That is hilarious. Way to remain calm. I don't think I could have said anything.

06/04/2007 10:39 PM by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)


Hi Sue

  I was on Caravan with a dozen realtors, we were in a house & I heard the shower running. We did escape without incident. The owner was supposed to be expecting us. On the way to the next house one of my colleges told a story almost the same as yours.

 

06/05/2007 07:20 AM by Joe Dallorso ~ Ocala Real Estate (Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty)


Hi Sue,
You sure know how to get our attention--funny story.  I am really impressed with the composure you had especially as a new agent.  Thanks for sharing, good way to start the day.

06/05/2007 07:51 AM by Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist (Kingsbridge Realty, Inc)


Michele..that was too funny!  I love iguanas but I could imagine someone who is not familiar seeing a loose one hissing at you.  Did you scream?

My strangest would be I heard a hissing noise down by the furnace and was concerened it might be a gas leak.  A litlle baffled because I can usually smell gas from 30 feet away, I bend over to see what the noise was and got bit in the eyeball by a ferrett!  Look at the teeth on these little critters.  The young boy in the home did not lock his cage before he went to school.  The homeowner paid for everything.  I had a patch on for over a week.  I've been bit in the hip by a German Shepard and attacked by a cat!  The more you sell the more freaky things you will encounter.  Isn't that something to look forward to?  LOL!! 

06/05/2007 08:12 AM by Exit Platinum Realty


Sue, It sounds like you did well. Enjoy Real Estate, you just don't know what will happen next. Great Post.

06/05/2007 08:20 AM by Frank Rubi Louisiana Real Estate-Homes for Sale (Specialized Real Estate Services, Inc.)


I had a similar think happen years ago when doing a Kiwanis food drive for the Salvation Army. People are Strange!

06/05/2007 09:26 AM by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)


Thanks everyone.  Yes, you just never know what you're going to find on the other side of that door. It's like treasure hunting EVERY day!  Ha!!

06/05/2007 10:36 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Sue - Many years ago my husband used to deliver for a drug store - There was one customer who only called when he was working and she always answered the door in various stages of undress (usually in her birthday suit). He once commented that the most clothes he ever saw on her was shorts and a halter top one day outside working in the garden. (he was all of fourteen or fifteen at the time).

11/23/2007 06:34 PM by Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage)


Kathy:  Yikes! I bet he didn't hate it too much at that age!  :)

11/24/2007 10:40 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


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Real Estate Agent: Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)
Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~
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