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ANYONE EVER...show a home while the owner hung around and smoked cigarettes???

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Cahill Associates

A couple of weeks ago, I showed a home to some buyers where the owner was at home during the showing.  I could not blame him since he was very elderly and it seemed silly for him to have to leave since it was obvious that getting around was a challenge.  While in a perfect world, homeowners always leave when their home if being shown, but reasonable exceptions do occur.smoking

In this case, not only was the homeowner home, he decided to continue his habit of chain-smoking cigarettes the entire time we were there!  No asking or anything if it was alright, either.  He just lit up like it was no big deal!

It was a good thing that my buyer was okay with it (as well as myself) even though we were all non-smokers.  But, what if one of us had an allergy or was sick and it caused us to have a reaction? 

I guess in this business, we have to be flexible and this is just one example of that.  Anyone else have this happen to them recently?  How about illicit drugs or something along those lines?


Posted by

Thanks for reading!

David Cahill
Century 21 Cahill Associates
cell 781-910-6506
www.DavidCahillHomes.com

 

 

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Terri Poehler
Realtor - Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs Real Estate Agent

All the time! I always ask them to put that butt out or get their butt out.

Dec 14, 2010 10:58 AM
Terry McCarley
Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL
REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL

I showed a property a few years ago and the seller had ashtrays overflowing everywhere.  He was also elderly but sat in his chair and chain smoked the entire time we were there. 

Dec 14, 2010 10:59 AM
David Cahill
Century 21 Cahill Associates - Boston, MA

Terri and Terry,

The nerve of some people!  I wonder if they realize how bad it makes the whole experience of showing their home...

David

Dec 14, 2010 11:06 AM
Dennis Duvernay Broker/Owner
Hillview Realty - Northbridge, MA

David, guess what....some of the very elderly don't give a crap what you or anyone else thinks.....to him it was not a big deal....I think its called ...set in his ways....LOL...I have had buyers walk out because of the awful smell of smoke before they did get sick...

Dec 14, 2010 11:07 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

I don't have this happen too often, but it has happened. Just recently my buyers dectected a strong marijuana smell. During the home inspection, the inspector needed to move a couple of bongs to get to the crawlspace. They did say the first thing they were doing was to paint that rooms wall. Not a great selling feature knowing that the house will have to be painted and carpet changed to get the smell of cigarettes out of the house.

Dec 14, 2010 11:11 AM
Ellie Penaranda
239.776.5077 Downing-Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Florida Real Estate - Waterfront & Beach Co

David:  Though I don't mind the smokers, I showed the PERFECT property to a client last month, the owner was not there, but the smell was horrible - We barely stepped in when the buyer looked at me and said "No way, under any circumstances would I consider this home, lets go".  It was the only property on my list that I had not previewed (one of those listings where LA has to accompany)... I went quickly through to check it out, and if it was not for the smoke smell, she would have made an offer right away, it was everything she was looking for.

Listing agents have to address these issues up front with their clients - mine usually agree to do some painting and a thorough clean and promise to smoke outside while the home is on the market - I have not had a seller who did not cooperate for the sake of the sale.

 

Dec 14, 2010 11:22 AM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

David - One time on our regular office tour as all the agents walked up to the front door there was a strong smell of marijuana coming from the house.  It seems the sellers didn't know that their teenage son had skipped school that morning. 

Dec 14, 2010 02:30 PM
David Cahill
Century 21 Cahill Associates - Boston, MA

Jim, that is TOO funny!

Ellie, sorry about those buyers.  It's a real shame that homeowners do not think this will be a deal breaker when it really can be!

Dec 14, 2010 03:53 PM
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

Yea...in my up north rural area...that wasn't all that uncommon a few years ago.   Brings back a few memories!  lol

Dec 15, 2010 07:39 AM