The Refrigerator Isn't Part of the Sale Then Why Are You Looking in It?

Oh I think it matters. I had buyers that did that, then proceeded to take out bottles of water and drink them. They were shocked when I told them not to do that. I was shocked that they would do it.

Debbie, It's just human nature to be nosy, but I would re-emphasize that it is not included!

Buyers look in refrigerators all the time, even in front of an agent. It is disturbing, mainly when they take the bottled water. The prescription cabinets are the real danger peeks.

Debbie,

At least your buyers didn't take a bottle of water or help himself to some food like Toni's client did on her tour.

Human behavior never ceases to amaze me. This generation has an issue with entitlement.

How funny!  Buyers seem to do the craziest things sometimes.  It's as if they are on auto-pilot to do those types of things.  Good luck!

Too funny! I always open my client's refrigerators to make sure it's neat. It's a big indicator of how they live and treat their home. That and just plain ol' curiosity :)

Yes, it can be truly annoying when clients do things like that! Been there too often.

Debbie, I think I've had that only happen twice in 8 years. I found it highly embarrassing, too personal, (like looking in someone's nightstand or their underwear drawer--NO!!!!) and it said to me that they were trying to size up the person. It was just plain WEIRD.

Debbie you did the right thing by not saying anything, there was noting to be gained by saying something.  After all he might just have been looking for a cold one to celebrate with you upon making on offer on the house :)

Debbie, don't get me wrong, I don't believe in snooping. However I was taught that everything was negotiable in real estate. If my buyer doesn't own a refrigerator, they may want to ask for it as part of the negotiations. In that case they might wish to look inside. This happened earlier this year with a first home buyer. We asked, and they got the refrigerator.

LOL that's funny Debbie!  But now that I'm thinking about it, doesn't it make sense to peek inside? Wouldn't it tell you much about the owner?  I'm kind of a meticulous person so I clean my fridge every week when I do my big shopping.  You know, take everything out, throw out expireds and rottens, use my non-chemical cleaner to wipe it all out, then re-stock in an organized effiecient manor.  But I'm that way about everything. My house is clean, maybe not always mopped (wood floors and no kids), but I do vaccum with a dust attachment so my floors are well kept, and so on.  When I shop homes for my family I am often grossed out by the way others live and worry that their sinks and toilets are gross too.  That pushes me into new home purchses and/or I need to replace sinks and toilets. And I would never use another perons' fridge, I'd buy a new one.  But I do assure you, if you bought my house, which I just sold, you'd get a shiny, clean, sanitied fridge.  So I guess it makes sense for some. Others are just nosey sometimes. 

Hi Debbie - I'm guessing that you need to start feeding your buyers better. But I wouldn't be surprised when buyers do that here - refrigerators are commonly not included but held back as a negotiating tactic (and a pretty poor one at that - a used refrigerator is seldom woth what its real cost is once it gets thrown into the mix).

I heard that lots of buyers do that...often to try to learn stuff about the home owner.  They may also do it out of habit.  - Debbie

Good evening Debbie-now THAT is Chutzpah! What nerve! Sounds like this may be a habit-perhaps the buyer thinks he can sense the seller's personality by the condiments in the fridge???

Debbie, If Buyers will look in undie drawers why be surprised when they look in a refrigerator. Just nosy I guess.

Hi Debbie -- people certainly are a curious bunch, aren't they?  I love your buyer's response.   Yikes.  We see and hear so much of human behavior everyday.  

You really have to keep an eye on this kind of buyer. They may also be checking the medicine cabinet and bedroom drawers.