Somebody Broke In And Painted My Listing!

When my sons were little, around 5 and 7, I did a little daily session with
them I called SIT.  SIT stood for Sons In Training.  During our SIT times I taught the boys about manners, greeting people and how to communicate with and relate to adults. 

My philosophy was that even though some things are caught rather than taught, I didn't see manners and graceful interaction with people as being high on the agenda of most young people.  How would they learn it? 

They could watch their parents if their parents demonstrated manners and grace in public.  Or, someone could actually sit them down and explain how mannerly young men act. That's what I did, and I'm thankful to report that they are very well-mannered to this day at 19 and 21.

That brings up an event I had with another agent last year.  We were in the midst of a deal.  I was the listing agent for an out of town seller, and she was the buyer's agent.  We had agreed on a contract, put it in the hands of the lender, appraiser and closer.

One day, I went by the house to make a walk-thru inspection to make sure no one was making use of an empty house.  What a surprise I received when I found the living room walls painted, drop clothes on the kitchen and dining room floors and paint supplies in the sink.

My first thought, "Somebody has broken into my listing and painted it!"  Of course my second thought was, "I wonder if they would break into my house and paint it?"  No, actually, I knew who was painting because only someone with a key would have access.

The buyer's agent had duplicated the key, gave a copy to the buyers, who were still in the process of having their financing solidified.  She gave them
permission to go ahead and paint the house.  I immediately changed the door lock-sets and changed the electronic lockbox to a combo.

A short time later I received a call from the agent asking why I changed the lockbox.  She complained that she couldn't get in.  To which I replied, "I had to because somebody broke in and started painting the house." 

Now, at this point you would think she would say, "I gave them permission to go ahead and start painting so the house would be ready when they close."  But, no, she said, "Hmm, I wonder what's up with that?  Let me check with my buyers to see if they know anything."

Eventually she confessed, but I didn't change the locks back until closing.  At closing she and the closer both complained that I didn't let the buyer continue the process.  Now they were going to have to move in and paint simultaneously.  Go figure.  Their final comment was, "Well, what did it hurt?  You got what you wanted.  The seller got what she wanted.  So, what's the problem?"

Oh, I don't know.  It's breaking and entering?  There was no guarantee that something wouldn't happen at the last minute and the contract would blow up?  The sellers would damage the house in some way and then decide they didn't want it?  They could accidentally burn it down?  The insurance doesn't cover it?  What could possibly go wrong? 

I kept thinking, they obviously didn't have SIT training for girls when they were small.  They really missed out!