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FLUSH!!! OR DON'T USE THE BATHROOM!!!

Real Estate Sales Representative with A1 Connection Realty, Inc.

November 06, 2008 05:14 AM

I'm stunned and a little disgusted too. I received a call from my sellers to say they went to check on their condo and found that someone had used the bathroom (number 2 - we all know what that is right?)in their "vacant condo" and didn't flush. I was so embarrassed. I normally don't allow toilets to be used when I'm showing a house or condo. Needless to say, they were not pleased.

Now I have to call the last agent who showed the house - Do I ask him if he or his buyers used the bathroom? Exactly how do you approach this subject? Then I guess I have to suggest to him that he check behind them to make sure they flush the toilet. How sad is that?

Fortunately, my sellers are not angry with me and understand I don't have too much control over what other agents allow. I guess I need to add potty checks to the list of things to check for in vacant homes.

I'm thinking I might put signs on all toilets - "FLUSH!!! OR DON'T USE THE BATHROOM!!!!

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

William - I have to think that maybe the agent was unaware that this had happened, and I'm still waiting to hear back from him. More importantly, I guess I need to stress his responsibility on checking after they are done. Thanks for commenting.

Nov 07, 2008 01:04 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Russell - If that's his "business card" it's a pretty stinky one. Thanks for the chuckle and the comments.

Nov 07, 2008 01:05 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Susan - I too was speechless listening to my seller. Thanks for the comment.

Nov 07, 2008 01:05 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Cameron - I think I will post some sort of note and hope for the best. I really don't want to have to do poop runs. Thank you for your suggestions and comments.

Nov 07, 2008 01:05 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Hal - That might be the answer too. I could turn the water off and hope for the best. That and remove any toilet paper.

Nov 07, 2008 01:06 AM

Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn

Sell with Soul - Pensacola Beach, FL

Author of Sell with Soul

Have you heard of my "fluffing and flushing" service I provide to my vacant home sellers? Yep, part of my service is that I check the toilets. Actually, I don't do it because I expect to find anything there, but rather because unflushed toilets start to look skanky even if they haven't been used.

I agree - it was probably a child. I don't think I'll be adding potty-duty to my list of things to do while showing houses - I'd really hate to have to explain to my buyer why I followed them into the bathroom...

Nov 07, 2008 01:10 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Jennifer - I was so wishing I had found that toilet and not my sellers. No, I don't want to add poop duty to my checklist, but obviously the "fluffing and Flushing" is a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion and advice.

Nov 07, 2008 01:16 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Bob, Some times I think I'm baby sitting a bunch of 2 year olds, don't you? This is a problem from coast to coast and I enjoy reading the comments...

Nov 07, 2008 02:22 AM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I thought you would find that humorous...have a great weekend!

Nov 07, 2008 03:53 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Paul - I learning that more and more each day. It's worse than dealing with a bunch of new recruits.

Nov 07, 2008 12:42 PM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Russell - You were so right. Sometimes you need to find the humor in a situation to get over it. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

Nov 07, 2008 12:42 PM

Carol Lynne Bull

Keller Williams - Alexandria, VA

I knew an agent that folded the toilet paper to make a point. I never knew why. Maybe this is why she did so. I'll have to ask her.

Carol

Nov 11, 2008 10:29 AM

Heather Oberhau

Prudential Fox & Roach - Newtown, PA

Bucks County Real Estate, e-PRO

LOL. This makes me think of when my kids exit the bathroom. At least 50% of the time, I have to say "I didn't hear a flush."

"Oh, yeah!"

Maybe post a sign on the back of the door, "I didn't hear a flush!"

Or, how about putting it in showing instructions, "House is vacant. Please do a final walkthrough after clients leave to insure toilets are flushed, lights are turned off, and all doors are locked."

Nov 11, 2008 12:09 PM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Carol - That's an interesting idea. I've seen that done in hotels. Thank you for commenting.

Nov 12, 2008 12:13 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Heather - Thanks for commenting. I too thought of when my kids were small and we had to remind them to flush.

Nov 12, 2008 12:15 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Candice, I did do that, and the problem hopefully is resolved. No hard feelings, and he understood where I was coming from. Thank you for your comments.

Nov 14, 2008 11:15 PM

Nancy Larson

I am a licensed referral agent in NJ - Hutchinson Island, FL

The just stanatised stri[p is the way to go.

Nov 24, 2008 03:27 AM

Rich Mielke

REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD

REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

I think they were just trying to be brown green and were trying to save water. My question is was there toilet paper, soap and towels in the bathroom as well?

Nov 24, 2008 11:51 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Nancy - I think that and a sign to not use the bathroom might do the trick. Thank you for commenting.

Nov 25, 2008 12:23 AM

Bob Cumiskey

A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Rich - As a matter of fact, this home is turnkey ready. There was absolutely no reason not to flush. Even if there wasn't any TP, a flush is just common sense. Don't you think? Thanks for commenting.

Nov 25, 2008 12:24 AM

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