Have you ever shown a house and had a strange feeling from the very start?
In my 10 years of real estate, I have seen many a eerie things. On this occasion I had called and left a message with the owner, per MLS instructions, to show the seller's house. As my clients and I arrived, we found some lights on and the TV on. This was unusual but I felt the owner could have gone next door and I had yelled "Realtor" upon our arrival with no reply or noise. I decided, the house was ready for my clients and we proceeded with the showing.
We started in the living room and then into the kitchen. It was windy outside and the noise from the wind was very noticeable. We started for the bedrooms and nothing was out of place except for the beds not being made, a pet peeve of mine.
The door of the kid's room was closed, so I knocked and stuck my head in. I then allowed my clients in and of course they opened the closet door. Everything had been pushed into the closet and as the door opened. Toys came tumbling out. (Pet peeve #2)
The showing wasn't going real well but we continued to next bedroom. This bedroom was clean and the client was very careful when she opened the door, nothing fell out and my clients were feeling better about this house. I was facing the closet and I noticed something you usually don't see in the bottom of a closet, 2 small bare feet. I motioned to my clients to step away from the closet. I asked the feet to come out of the closet. Nothing,! I asked again and a trembling girl about 11 came out, with a hammer in her hand.
I assured the girl, who we were and to put the hammer down. My clients were freaked out to say the least. The girl was crying and I had to figure out what to do. I called the listing agent and asked her if she knew if the owner had a daughter and what I should do. She told me that she would call the owner and call me back. About 5 minutes later, the listing agent called and told me that the owner, worked about 10 minutes away and would be there in about 5 minutes.
It turned out to be the daughter was skipping school. The daughter wasn't aware we were showing the house and planned a day off with nobody to know the difference. By the sounds of it, her parents won't let her forget the consequences!
Have you ever had to ask; "What's lurking in that closet?"
Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons,
Specializing in Internet marketing strategies for positive results!
©2009 Paul S. Henderson, Showings, which give you the willies! All Rights Reserved
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