Should I Get A Sitter? Yes. Yes Please.

I know that it is sometimes difficult to find a sitter if the family doesn't usually use one but if someone is seriously shopping for a home, they will be able to make better decisions without having to also parent.   

I think the problem is, that parents of out of control kids don't necessarily think their kids are out of control ... In any case, it's best for parents to go see homes without kids in tow. All possible difficulties and dangers aside, they can concentrate on the homes they are visiting, instead of watching after the kids. (I have 2 kids and I'm pretty positive they are well behaved :))

Gosh, these stories are incredible, especially #35. My story of kids playing with the list family's kids toys is very tame.

This is the BEST advice Realtors can give!     We love kids, it isn't about the kids until they are ready to make decisions, and then maybe.    When viewing the largest investment you will ever make - you should not be distracted!    GREAT post, and glad you got a gold star!

Jared- I AGREE!!  I love kids, too, but really, it is best to get a sitter.  We all have stories of the sweet little darlings deciding to "fly" the model airplane collection in a seller's home... or dismantiling the 1500 piece lego set that was on display in a bedroom... or jumping off the stairs and knocking over the flat screen tv.... 

A sitter is always the best option instead of bringing them along for a showing (or several showings). Im sure most kids are great, but you only need the ONE to mess it up for the rest of them. :-)

the clients were part of a family I do a lot of business with, on showings there were often cousins aunts etc along.  Angelica and Valentino were cousins about 5-8 and were into every thing  - I watched them and sent the adults to look at the house - I would be careful with the babysitter thing - some groups would be very insulted

Jared, brilliant... and reminds me of a quote I heard the other day, Children are like farts.... you don't mind your own but other people's are unbearable... yup, that pretty much sums up my life... HA!!! Thanks for subscribing! I really appreciate it!

Oh boy.  I can only imagine.  Should I get a sitter?  Darn right!

Absolutely the parents should get a sitter - espescially when they have kids who don't behave!!!

Sharon

It can be such a distraction for the buyers during one of the times when they need most to be focused, so I'm very much in favor of a babysitter!

If this kids are well behaved, I don't mind showing homes with them there.  However, if they can't behave themselves the parents will need to find a babysitter for the next showings.  No babysitter = no showing.  

Jared and Amanda- the patience they expect you Realtors to have.. remarkable.  I'm glad your buyers thought of a baby sitter so you wouldn't have to tactfully try to suggest it, which we all know would never come across the way you want it to. 

Absolutely get a sitter.  House hunting is so stressful and attention should be on the house not watching what and where the kids are.

Good morning ....

I have been missing your daily post but am sure you are just busy bees with real estate.  Clients always take priority.  Your comments are greatly appreciated my friends.  Hope all is well and look forward to seeing you again soon in the Rain. 

John

Once a long time ago - I took a woman and her 5 children (all under 5 years old) to see houses.  She and her husband were very motivated to find a house because their current house was under contract.  This woman had one infant child at the breast and the rest (4 boys) were toddlers. The husband never went with us because he was always at work.  This woman was one "in charge" parent and there were no huge mishaps, just a near miss with some China in one of the 4 houses we looked at.  When one of them got antsy, separated  from the pack and darted out into the street, she got out a "child leash" and put it on him.  It could have been awful, but we found a large 5 bedroom split level home in Silver Spring, they bought it and they lived happily ever after. 

Just had a showing myself where they brought 4 of the little 'darlings' with & it started right in the driveway. I told the Mom that they weren't allowed in the house 'with that much energy'.  When Dad finally showed up, so did their attitude. They were still obnoxious though.  Can they spell the word 'civilized'. 

I remember when the phrase 'were you raised with wolves?' was popular ......