The other day a seller client told me that she showed her home to strangers off the street who knocked on her door and expressed interest in seeing the place without an appointment. She accommodated them. We don't know who they are, or even if they were qualified to buy. She just hoped they might be the ones. I told her to never do this again. Call me a suspicious New Yorker, but the risks outweigh the opportunity when you show you home to strangers with no appointment.  

Prior to scheduling a showing, we verify the credentials of showing agents, their contact information, and their licensure. Nobody gets an appointment without verification. If it is our own buyer, we verify their identity and their financial qualifications. Otherwise, I might as well have a hitchhiker in my car. To not take these measures I expose my firm to severe liability and clients to undue risk. 

What can go wrong by letting strangers into your home without a proper appointment? Plenty.

  • Theft
  • Violence
  • Vandalism
  • "Staking the place out" for future theft
  • Identity theft
That last point is a new one, but once someone can get a bill or some other personal item off your kitchen table you have the seeds of a far bigger problem than a stolen necklace. 

People who can't set up an appointment and insist on dealing directly with the owner of a listed property may not have a screw lose, but they are trying to pursue a fallacious angle, namely that bypassing the agent gives them an advantage. The bottom line is that while they may not hit you over the head, they are almost certainly wasting your time. 

J Philip Real Estate

Don't show without an appointment

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105 Comments on Don't Show Your Home to Strangers Without an Appointment

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
17
2010
315,754 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog

That is so scary. In New Hampshire we had a FSBO rapist a few years back...very scary!

7:52pm • #86
166,897 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

You stated it perfectly, "THE RISKS OUTWEIGH THE OPPORTUNITY".

It is part of our listing presentation.  If someone sees a sign or a lockbox on your home, they MIGHT Knock on your door.  We do not recommend you accommodate their request to preview.  Here are some of our business cards.  Ask them to call us and we'll make sure they are qualified to purchase your home.

Trust me - If they are serious, they will call us.  Joy

9:47pm • #87
111,058 Points 1 Featured Post

On of my Sellers did allow a prospect to view their home who later made an offer, then withdrew when we asked a few questions, then stalked my Seller.  It's a great story that makes an impression when I use it to illustrate the risk of letting someone into your home who has not been properly screened.  

10:00pm • #88
Outside Blog

I never thought of it that way. I work in rural Maine and find the people so nice and accomidating. My first sale was actually someone that drove by my listing and knocked on the door. Yes he was let in. He called his agent the next day and came up and put an offer in.

I tell my high end listings to never let someone in, I will make it a point to tell everyone that.

10:08pm • #89
JAN
18
2010
111,626 Points 2 Featured Posts

I too live in Maine which is considered a safe state. Considered-I warn all my clients to never do this. Being married to a detective, I know the risks and always warn my clients. Safety first.

7:29am • #90

Good post! This is good advice to follow. I cover these very concerns with all of my Clients.

8:28am • #91

This reminds me of conversations that I have with my boys telling them not to take candy from strangers.  It looks very tempting and possibly rewarding, but the risk is way too high.  The other similarity is that we have to keep repeating the message until our children/clients "get it".

10:17am • #92

Even with conversations and warning about this, I have had clients permit prospective buyers tour their home without an appointment or an agent. This is a scary situation.

11:59am • #93
1,024,215 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very good advise.  There is a sign out front for a reason.  People should call.

8:23pm • #94
164,393 Points Called Shot Master

You can not cure dumb but you can cure ignorance. We probably all have some of both types of clients and we owe it  to both types to to try to educate them. I fear however, that the 'this might be the one" idea is to strong for most people to resist.

11:00pm • #95
JAN
19
2010
240,366 Points 16 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There is another "twist" on this.  At open houses, ask your sellers to remove all prescription drugs from the medicine cabinets and other places where people can find them.  There are two primary reasons for doing so: a) possible identity theft - they know your name and could "hijack" your prescription to another pharmacy and b) teenagers now stage "prescription parties".  This is where they all get together and throw prescription drugs into a hat and pop them to see who gets the best high.  So, if you see unaccompanied teenagers at your open house - keep your eye on them (for their safety too).

1:17pm • #96
JAN
22
2010
132,743 Points Outside Blog

Very risky. This something I have never thought of to warn sellers about. I always tell them to remove valuables during open houses and showings. Who does that, just walks up to a house and asks to for a tour?

9:45am • #97
126,066 Points

I tell my buyers never to do this.  Still sometimes they can't help themselves.

I am always amazed when someone lets a stranger in their house.

4:11pm • #98
JAN
24
2010
1,913,535 Points 386 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow!  As an ex-New Yorker, I thought that I was suspicious.  Reading your description of how you pre-clear agents made me feel like a total slacker.  I guess I assume that if they've jumped through Sentrilcock's hoops and can get the door open, they are probably OK. 

Still, I don't want my buyers letting total strangers into their homes.  It give me the hives!

10:24am • #99
JAN
28
2010
1,226,421 Points 79 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi,

You are so right on with this message. I tell my sellers before I put the lock box do not let anyone in who knocks at the door. If they don't have an agent call the number on the sign and someone will schedule an appointment! The lockbox is on for a reason..only Realtors with their dues paid current can enter. Our feedback system automatically emails the agents for feedback. It needs the information from the register from the lockbox to complete this task.

12:22pm • #100
531,260 Points 33 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Well layed out info and such a good reminder. Thanks for sharing - and would love to reblog it!

12:25pm • #101
226,518 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Great advice, Phillip - saw this first as Liz Moras reblogged it.  As a buyer's agent, just in case anything happens, my team makes a photocopy of the driver's license of anyone we're showing property to.  The office keeps a copy for insurance purposes.

9:11pm • #102
FEB
03
2010
116,304 Points

What comes to my mind on  " things that can go wrong " list is DEATH.  In this state there have been Realtors murdered and a case where a woman selling her home herself ( FSBO ) was murdered.  Now that is very SERIOUS.  I always tell FSBO's to be very careful and be sure you know who your letting into your home. 

10:03pm • #103
FEB
10
2010
116,208 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Outstanding post. Safety is and always should be first and formost on our minds. 

11:44pm • #104
FEB
18
2010
117,186 Points 4 Featured Posts

Bad, bad idea! and very good advice!

It's amazing we haven't had more security problems in our business but we can't tempt fate, either.

8:12pm • #105

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J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip R.E. LLC) Westchester County NY

Address: 522 North State Road , Suite 100, Briarcliff Manor, NY, 10510

Office Phone: (914) 762-2500

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Phil Faranda is broker and owner of J. Philip Real Estate LLC in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Since founding the firm as a sole practitioner in late 2005, the team has grown to over 30 agents & closed 350+ transactions valued at $140 million. He is in his 4th term as Vice President of the HGMLS. This blog commentary is geared toward consumers and industry colleagues alike. You can reach him at (914) 723-8900.
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