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Updated: Pet Peeve: Home Listings with a Security System That's ON!

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Pro, Inc. #96851

 

 

Wow, I hate showing a home with a security alarm system that is left on for showings. I hate when I call the listing agent and "he/she gives me instructions how to open the door, run to the kitchen, look for the four drawers, open the top drawer and push the remote fob really hard until you hear a BONG!" Then she tells me, "oh don't worry, the time lapse is really long and you won't have to rush." Define long time lapse?? That may be easy for the owners. They do it all the time. Then in order to leave the house I have to reverse the order. lol. I'm a chicken.

The seller's obviously deserve to do whatever they want with the home to keep it secure. I don't disagree with that at all.

But I can say that I have set off a a realtive's house  security alarm too even though I told them I'm not good with security systems. The alarm blast is SO loud I couldn't even move a step. Even though I knew the code to turn it off...I couldn't think straight.  Alas, the handsome firemen did not arrive.  That would have been at least entertaining. The relative got a phone call and gave the secret code!

 

Sigh. So I have to show a home tomorrow that has a security system. Not looking forward to it.

 

Went to the home. Lovely home. Got in o.k. Punched the button so it went bong. Everything was fine until we have to leave. I couldn't remember if the word "stay" or "away" was the right button to push. So I pushed "away" and almost automatically the house alarm announcer thingy started with beeps that started racing like I needed to run out of the house because it was going to explode. I'm sorry to say my client was standing there by me and I found myself in a panic ...and I screamed a curse word, right in front of him. I apologized all over the place. Lol, he was very understanding because he hates security alarms too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Jill - I'm not fond of the security systems being on either.  It just doesn't always go right.

Mar 16, 2015 03:57 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

And nobody ever knows the darn passcode! I guess Patience is a virtue in that instance—with a capital P!

Mar 16, 2015 04:06 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Security systems are the butt of every joke in the stand up routine these days a lot of people I see. Christine Donovan

Mar 16, 2015 04:07 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

I believe every associate feels this way until it's their home that gets broken into. Then you quickly learn everything there is to know about alarm systems. It boils down to which side of the door you'd rather be on. safe or sorry!

Mar 16, 2015 07:28 PM
Christopher Pagli
William Raveis Legends Realty Group - Tarrytown, NY
"I Stay Open Until You Close"

I dislike being the agent that does somehting wrong and triggers the alarm to go off!

Mar 16, 2015 09:33 PM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

To say I hate security systems is an understatement. I've had a few go off because the seller forgot to tell the listing agent they had changed the code. Perhaps a necessary evil, but if the Seller is not available to do so, I choose to arrive before showings at my secured homes and disarm them for the showing agent.  I then rearm after the prospects and their agents have left.  Not always convenient, but less traumatic for all involved. 

Mar 16, 2015 10:23 PM
Jill Watts
Realty Pro, Inc. - Vancouver, WA
A Luxury Experience at Every Price Point!

Lol, I tried to entice my husband to come along just to open that one door today, but he's not having it. I guess I have to be a big girl and take a chance. What could go wrong??

Mar 17, 2015 02:08 AM