Looking for a Northern Virginia Home? There's a Reason Your Agent Won't Just Walk Up to Any Old House with a Sign in Front.

Looking for a Northern Virginia Home?  There's a Reason Your Agent Won't Just Walk Up to Any Old House with a Sign in Front.

The other day I was out house hunting with a couple on the edge.  Their hearts were broken a week ago when their contract to purchase the home of their dreams was voided by the Seller.  So it was back out into the market, making appointment to see homes.  Our first trip out again was an inexperience in itself.

After the one we had made an appointment to see was NOTHING like the MLS has described it, Mrs. Buyer pleaded to see one that was a bit more expensive listed down the street.  I hesitated.  Not what I normally do.  People live in these homes.  They need notice.  Who knows?  It may be under contract. 

Mrs. Buyer had the agent's number in her phone from having called her a month earlier.  She called again.  The agent picked up, but was clueless.  We'll call her Madge.  Madge had no idea what the street address of her listing was, but she did know the price and that it was available.  (Mind you, this is an agent with two listings....but don't get me going on what Listing Agents SHOULD know when they answer the phone.)  When I asked Madge for the phone number for the show contacts, she left the phone on a table and started rummaging around.  I heard what sounded like Oprah in the background.  Madge came back empty-handed but gave us the line, "Just knock on the door and go in if no one answers."

I didn't like that plan, but I really felt the desperation of my Buyers.  We got to the house and standing at the door, I asked Mrs. Buyer to call Madge one more time.  I wanted to make sure there were no large dogs, or exotic pets like snakes in the home.  You never know.  Madge pushed, "Just go in if you've knocked.  Announce yourself."

We did.  No one answered our calls.  It was a three level townhouse.  We made it all the way to the third floor before we realized, that inside one of the bedrooms was a CHILD ASLEEP.  No parent to be found ANYWHERE. 

I got my Buyers out of there in a flash.  This is why we make appointments.  I don't want to bust in a house when there is an unattended child in the home.  And Madge shouldn't want that either, but she's too busy watching Oprah.  Long story short, if you want to see a Northern Virginia home, make sure you've given notice to see it.  And understand when you want to call an audible, that your agent's answer may be should be, "Not today.  How about we call and find out about it and see it tomorrow?"

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header is a combination of photos, taken by Chris Ann Cleland, of various listings and neighborhoods in the Bristow-Gainesville-Haymarket area.