Long and Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA - Bristow, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA
There is zero excuse for what you describe. Leaving a home like you found it is tesetament to the card you leave on their counter when arriving. Inexcusable. Suggested!
It's very unprofessional for selling agents not to leave the home as they found it.
Agents need to double check doors to make sure they are locked and as you said leave the house as you found it. Absolutley. As for dress.....that's not a big issue for those of us who live in more casual areas. Highly unlikely any agent man or woman, will be dressed to the nines when it's 105+ outside here in Phx.
When I was an active agent I would always call the listing agent if I found anything out of place or there was a problem, broken widow or the alarm wouldn't set. I was amazed that they were shocked by my call to inform them!
We are guests in the home and common courtesy would, I think, dictate that you leave the home as you found it. Not so common, clearly. The open windows and unlocked doors drive me nuts. Lights I can live with
Jeff
J.Philip - looks like no matter how many times you may ask, and warn, and instruct, it is all a matter of who is showing.
My funniest showing was when I called and they gave me a 4-digit combination, but when I came, the lock was alpabetical, no numbers, and there were only 3 letters, which I did not know.
I called the office, but there was no answer. Upset I just pulled the door and it opened. It was not even locked.
Do you think it was the only time when I came to show, and found the door open, and sometimes not unlocked, but just open?
Oh, well...
And, by the way, congrats on the job well done. After all, it was the most important part.
It does seem so obvious that you should leave things the way you found them. These things shouldn't even have to be in the showing instructions.
I try very hard as a home inspector to leave the house as I found it. That includes lights - if on when I arrive they are on when I leave. But off if not on when we arrived!
One of the most important lessons I have learned in life - leave the campsite cleaner than you found it. If it is clean when found, leave a pile of wood.
So, I promise - next home inspection I will leave a pile of wood in the family room.
I went to a home that was listed once, and I was so good at leaving things the way they were that I left the dead squirrel right where it was in the middle of the living room! I did call the listing agent, though.
I agree, leaving things the way we found them should be a no brainer.
Such a chronic problem...on my brokers tour with 25 agents, my sellers were amazed that with 25 people roaming the home that it would be left dirty..NEVER! Having consideration for others properties is a must Phil.
Recently had this issue with a showing where the sellers were very upset at the condition of the home when the agent and his buyers left. I just shake my head, no wonder the public sometimes has a low opinion of us.
I still run into those scenarios where agents just are rude, dress like slobs, can't follow show instructions, and disrespect other peoples property. It's no wonder the general public has such a negative opinion of real esate agents.
This is a no brainer in my book. Any agent that doesn't get this maybe shouldn't be an agent?
Lazy agents who are "to busy" to read the showing instructions annoy me! I always read instructions even on vacant homes I notify agents I will be showing! Lets stop being lazy shall we?
#1 should be a non-issue. The sellers should be leaving lights ON so that they home is bright when buyers come by. If they aren't then why? Did the listing agent explain to them the importance of making the home as appealing as possible? I always try to leave lights as I found them but running around turning them on or off shouldn't be something I need to worry about.
Fair enough, but I'm not chasing a cat around the neighborhood if it leaps out the door when I open it.
Yes, we try to leave the house the way we found it...However, pets should be in a place where they can't run outside. The light thing, I'm with Cindy Jones, #16 comment.
Oh, I've done worse than any of those!
I once let a cat in. Sellers didn't have a cat. They were not happy and I got a most unpleasant call from their agent.
But you know? Stuff happens.
Still, I'm really careful about locking up.
The bar to impress in our industry is definitely low when an agent gets a compliment for leaving a house locked and lights off.
Absolutely, positively a need to show the house and leave it in the condition that it was found. My only comment is the bit about the pets. I have issues with showing homes where pets are left home unless they are crated. Agents should not be left with this responsibility as it is a major distraction from showing a home and can be a problem. I warn sellers that it is not in the pets best interest or the sellers best interest to leave it up the an agent. My job is to show the house and not run around making sure the cat or dog does not escape.
I leave the house as I found it. That means, if the seller leaves lights on, I leave the lights on. I am uber aware of doors being locked, and keeping track of any pets on all showings.
We've always preached to new agents to leave the house as you find it in their orientation. We've recently added that language to our bylaws as well.
Pat - #19 - arrived at a house once at the same time as the agent, with a cat turning circles and meowing on the porch asking to be let in.
We went in and the cat ran ahead. We did not see him the rest of the time we were there.
That night the agent called me to say the sellers got home, opened the door and that cat ran out. They discovered their cat murdered and in a bloody heap, ON THEIR BED!
Since then I have never let a cat, or dog, in or out when at a house!
Let's talk about lights for a moment. It's very good when home sellers have the lights on for showings. The house is far more inviting, and the showing agent is free to point out features, listen to the buyer's comments and so on. But, when the lights are on from the start, how diligent should the agent be about turning them off? I flick off the wall switches, but it's tough to get them all. Agents ought to encourage sellers to turn lights on for showings and not to be upset when some (or all) are still on afterward.
Seems as though asking for consideration, common sense, and respect shouldn't be that big of a hardship ...
Gene
I often have clients dressed like they are going to the lake... but they are looking at lake homes, so I cringe, but over look it. As far as the rest... I recently had an agent and buyers take candy (a bunch of it) and then toss the wrappers in the sellers truck parked in the driveway. My seller was pissed and I was appauled at that behavior. What is wrong with people.
I once met a listing agent at a house with clients and the agent had on short shorts and a tank. Granted, it was the 4th of July and she was doing me a favor but my clients couldn't believe she was the agent.
While I can understand consumers who don't understand and can't show courtesy to someone else's home, it's fully unexcusable for an agent to behave like this.
Crazy.
Hi Phillip, A real estate professional would always be careful to be sure the home was respected and left the way it was found, or better. An agent showed a home I had listed and an agent showing before left the lights on and the sliding door in Kitchen wide open. The agent called me and things were buttoned up properly. I have done similar. If something doesn't look right, we should call the listing agent and not just leave things the way they were if the situaltion does not look like that it was intended.
Absolutley agree. Leave the house as you found it. Dress according to your profession, be courteous of the sellers home. Blow out the candles they carelessly left burning!
Sounds so simple, but seems it is impossible for some agents. Maybe we should add it to showing remarks? ''leave the house as you found it''~ if you opened~ close! if you turned it on- turn it off! Don't leave trash, not flushed toilets, dirt. Etc. And most important: close the door and put the key in the lockbox where you found them!
I make it a point to leave the house exactly as I found it. From boot covers for the carpet, a sheet to cover the floor in the closet when I open the hatch, to the temp on the thermostat. No one says anything, but I never hear a bad comment either, so that's good.
After two plus decades in this business, I am still appalled at how many agents do not follow basic rules on leaving a home in the same condition they found it. Unlocked doors really get my goat!
I totally agree with you here. I don't think it is so much to ask from agents. As you mentioned, you're dealing with a kinda huge money business, I guess that proper manners should come along with it. Professionalism is the key.
I, instinctively, turn lights off as we walk through a house, and I've had sellers get mad about that. Sorry for trying to be energy efficient. It's the middle of the day, and it's also good to see what natural light there is...
I just had a cient tell me an agent who showed their home not only allowed the children to play with her children's toys, but allowed them to carry, and leave them, in a different part of the house.
Totally agree. It's really sad that some agents just are either careless, or don't think, or don't have the common courtesy to tell their clients to nicely restrain themselves. As for dress, well, that's just common sense. Or so you'd think!
Not all agents are created equal. I always call the listing agent if I come in to a house and any of these situations have occurred. I was in one last week and the agent before me left the lockbox open. If you let the listing agent know right away they can pinpoint the offending previous agent. Most agents are appreciative of this extra call.
How true, please do no harm while you show our listings! Recently we had an estate sale and although the wall to wall was a mauve - it was in good condition. Someone took a knife to the carpet to confirm if there were hardwoods underneath!!!! We had so many showings and on lockbox that of course no one would take responsibility. The family responsible for the property was shocked and so was I! The lack of respect for another person's property was appalling - now we accompany showings whenever possible and if not ask for update immediately after the agents showing. Some days it is no wonder why consumers lack respect for some real estate "professionals"!
My dad was a stickler about turning off the lights and locking the doors. I remember him reminding me that he did not have stock in the electric company. It's a common courtesy.
As for the way agents are attired I think the best rule of thumb is simple. Dress appropriately. I don't wear a suit and tie everyday. But I do wear a nice shirt and slacks everyday. I also keep a navy blue blazer in my car just in case I feel it's appropriate.
Phillip - Sounds like that should be normal fare for any real estate agent! Slovenly dress is not very acceptable in either your area or mine.
It's amazing to me how many agents do things like this! I find myself asking my client who is locking the door to the garage after viewing it, "Was that door locked before you opened it?" I want to leave everything as it was when we arrived.
Have to agree with #26 on the lights, and with the person who mentioned pets being left in a crate. I have been chewed out for leaving lights on that were on when we arrived, that I had no idea how to even turn off, had I wanted to.
I've also let the neighbor's cat in, on accident.
I agree we need to emphasize that agents should leave the house the same way it was when they arrived. Also, another nit is many agents don't leave their business card.
Philip- I totally agree- I have always left the house as i found it unless instructed differently!
If lights were on when I showed the house, I leave them on. In part, because I don't know how many other showings the house has that day. Most houses show better with lights on in at least some parts of the house.
When I first started in the business, I had to work hard to remember to lock the front door before putting the key in the box. With practice, I developed a specific way I lock up and return the key.
I try to teach my clients that lights left on, toys mussed up, and doors unlocked may happen during the sales process. It happens.
Respect for property is developed and learned. Earning the money to purchase an item increases its value to the individual. Repairing and maintaining an item that is not a throwaway item teaches respect for the use of the item.
I try to do a great job of leaving a property as I found it. I must admit I will take the side of the showing agent on this one.
I am curious about lights... Why would they not already be on if the seller knew about the showing?
And why was the cat (or any other animal) not put in a secure location?
Strangers + cat + open door= Sellers fault for leaving cat on the loose during a showing.
In regards to dress attire...a suit & tie or dress impresses me no more than a pair of clean shorts. I care that the agent has a qualified buyer...not that they are dressed either in suits/dresses or super casual...which no seller would even know unless the seller was at home or parked in the neighbors window or in their car down the street during the showing.
Which, if they were, takes me back to the lights and cat...
I leave it the way I found it. If the lights are on, I leave them on. They may have other showings after me.
J. Philip,
I couldn't agree more! . . . AND, if it's staged leave everything in its place and not rearrange or restage. Watch for little children picking up and moving staging inventory too! Great blog!
Virginia Youngblood, ASP, IAHSP ~ DO-STAGE!, LLC ~ Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas ~ 704-575-1007 ~ www.do-stage.com ~ virginia.dostage@gmail.com ~
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.
Everybody has made great comments, but what it boils down to common decency and thinking about the other person. Lock up after you just unlocked their house, take care of that pet that they love, everything in it's place (and that was decided by the seller....not you or your buyer). In other words, in what condition would you want YOUR HOME LEFT????
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?
Phil, I showed a house this week of a fellow real estate agent. The agent was still there and answered the door. He was wearing shorts, tank top and had a sleeve tattoo on his arm. My client looked at me and whispered, "That's the real estate agent?". I think agents are more casual here. Maybe not that casual but you don't usually see male agents in suits and ties. It's more likely to see them in golf shirts and khakis or jeans. It's just the way it is here.