Leave the House as You Found It

I agree about leaving the house as you found it, and also agree with the seller about proper attire.

Dressing for the job means you're serious about the job. Shorts are fine if you're showing waterfront property from your boat. I've been shocked to see agents in everything from baggy sweatpants to evening dress at 10 a.m.

I'll never forget taking my 8 year old son to a new dentist, just because his office was 45 minutes closer to home. When the dentist wanted to start work on him he refused to open his mouth - the dentist got mad and we left. When I asked him why, he said it was because he couldn't possibly trust the guy - he wasn't even dressed like a dentist in his jeans and plaid shirt.

After that we went back to a "real" dentist.

I leave it as I find it.  I never have understood why owners will not crate their pets when a house is being shown.

I would have to agree with everything you said, it's just common courtesy. If the buyer's agent had a listing, I am sure they would want anyone showing the home to leave the property as they found it.

What if the agent before you left the lights on?  Sometimes it is hard to know what to do.  In extreme situations I call the listing agent to let them know I found something unusual.  

I've found that some professionals aren't really professionals, so incidents will occur from time to time. However, as some have opined, who knows what the original circumstances were to begin the day? I leave the property exactly as I found it.

Great advice today and look forward to more interesting insight in the future! Liz in Chandler

Phillip, the Seller has it right, except for the cat/ Loose pets in a home can be an issue. Last year I was in a home.  The second I opened the door the cat shot out of the house. My client and I hunted for the cat for a good half hour.  We called the Seller who shared that it was okay and the cat would come back when he was ready.  It is best that cats and dogs are kenneled or at pet day care.

You can't judge a book by its cover. Aside from the Realtors dress, some of the worst dressed people have become some of my best clients. But I agree, and the way agents have lack of respect when it comes to showing a home. 

What if it where their home?

As professional home inspectors, we consider the treatment of a sellers home a major concern. We even shy away from actions like breaking seals on attic hatches without explicit permission or simply disturbing personal effects beyond what is necessary.

It's still their home and the stress of moving is plenty to deal with without having someone disrupt it.

One thing that does make me nervous is leaving an exterior door unlocked even if I find it so, but I grit my teeth and leave as I found it. Over the years I have gotten two calls from sellers asking how I expected their kids to get in the house after school. Now I leave them as I find them and notify the Realtor that it was unlocked on arrival.

There was a similar post yesterday.  I am on your side.  Tidy up before you leave.

Where's the cat? Oh oh. Someone got let out and Fluffy is looking flat, thin, out on that front highway.

Hi Phillip, 

I hate when agents leave lights on or leave doors unlocked. Drives me up a wall!

Nice reminder.  I have to add, put the keys back as well.  I am not sure how many times I have gone to listings that don't have a key, or the correct key, in the keysafe.

No question on locking doors and watching for keeping pets secured if advised in advance. Lights are not as clear protcol

Good article. I wish that more people would follow those guildlines, especially the part about locking the door. 

I leave it as I found it.  If they have all the lights on, I leave them on, if off, I turn them off as I go.

J. Philip Faranda ~ just wanted to stop by and say hi! Thanks for the nice instructions, and I agree "leave it as you find it"

Couldn't agree with you more, leave the property as you found it. Of course, turn off lights, take the proper safety steps with pets, lock the doors! I am perhaps also concerned about attire - you are a business person and conduct oneself as one. I will always remember when a listing agent had to come and unlock a rusty combo lock she had on the door. As she bent and struggled to unlock the door, it was very obvious that the yellow print flannel pajama bottoms she wore, were thread-bare.  If she only knew what the five of us behind her saw, think she would be as shocked as we were. Attire IS IMPORTANT!

Philip, as someone who tries their best to live by the Golden Rule, I treat other's property as if it were my own when showing houses.  However, I have come across other agents who -- among other things -- left one or more lights on at one of my listings and don't do the sellers (of occupied homes) the courtesy of leaving their card behind.  Thankfully, no pet has been locked out.  I can't even imagine coming home to find my pet is not inside.

P.S. - I'm sure I speak for quite a lot of AR members when I say we miss seeing your posts regularly (tomorrow will be one year since you wrote your last post).  You are among the best contributors.  I may not have left more than a few comments while you were more active, but I ready many of your posts.  Having family in Putnam County, I'd definitely recommend they use your services if they ever needed them.

Leaving the doors unlocked is the most annoying thing. How difficult it is to lock the door after you opened it?