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Before You Leave The House Don't Forget To Take A Second Look

By Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400

Real Estate Agent with The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803

October 05, 2015 09:00 PM

We have a seller that does not want to be home when she has a showing. She doesn't want us to accompany the showing agent, but she doesn't want to be there either.

When we notify her that another Realtor is going to show, she wants to run out of the house as fast as possible.

She doesn't mind having a lockbox on her front door, and doesn't mind leaving a Realtor and buyer alone.

We advised her from the start, that not every Realtor is considerate and some may forget to turn off a light or close a cabinet door.

Even though we will remind the showing agent during the scheduling appointment to take a second look and make sure all the lights are off and cabinet and drawers closed, sometimes they forget.

However, on one particular day, the showing agent made a huge MISTAKE...

Not only did she leave the front door unlocked, she left the key still in the door, out of the lockbox!

Although the seller did not get mad a us, she doesn't want this agent showing her house again. (The Agent's excuse was she was in a hurry to get to her next appointment).

Showing agents, we know what it's like to be busy with buyer clients, and we show lots of homes and condos too...

But, we have NEVER left a door unlocked with the key in it!

Really what were you thinking?

Showing Agents, Just Another Reminder...

Before You Leave The House...Don't Forget To Take A Second Look!

Search Here For Long Island Homes and Condos

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Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Gosh, that really is a huge oversight. I don't blame that seller for wanting to exclude that agent. Very careless.

Oct 05, 2015 09:02 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Larry and Sheila. I had an instance where the ket was left in the door during a showing and taken during the showing. The key should never be left in the door period.

Oct 05, 2015 09:17 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for the reminder . I am always worried about the bueyrs leaving the sliding door unlocked so I always go in and check it.

Oct 05, 2015 09:30 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, I've had this happen once as well. The showing agent was very apologetic and came with me to the sellers to apologize personally.

Oct 05, 2015 09:31 PM

Brenda Mayette

Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY

Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Sadly it does happen... To gain professional respect, we need to act like a professional. Mistakes/oversights do happen and sellers need to be fore-warned -- just like you prepared your client.

Oct 05, 2015 09:37 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) ,

There is no other appointment that is more important then securing a home you have just shown to clients. This is just common courtesy and part of your job. Many times agents leave a back door unlocked..really agents..how would you feel if someone did this to your personal home?

Oct 05, 2015 09:59 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Can't blame the seller....too late for an appointment...hmmm...too sloppy !

Oct 05, 2015 10:16 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Joe Petrowsky

Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT

Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c). How crazy is that, but not anything that hasn't happened before. It is hard to understand that some can make mistakes like this, especially when there can be so much liability.

Oct 05, 2015 10:25 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good story to share. It is easy to leave something unsecured when you are in a rush. Home safety and security should be a priority in the minds of showing agents.

Oct 05, 2015 11:09 PM

Dan Hopper

Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO

Colorado Broker / Referral Services

Yikes!! Not a good excuse for leaving the key in a door, and unlocked, period! We all make mistakes, but let's take care of the home we are showing!!

Oct 06, 2015 12:46 AM

Amanda S. Davidson

Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Larry and Sheila, wow that's horrible! My sellers would say the same and I'd report the agent. There's no appointment that's worth leaving a house unsecured. I'm sure this agent wouldn't want that to happen to her own house.

Oct 06, 2015 01:34 AM

Noah Seidenberg

Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL

Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Ain't this the truth Larry & Sheila. Not all people are considerate. Be professional and think of others.

Oct 06, 2015 03:34 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I've said it many times before here on AR and I know it's not a popular stance but I do not like lock boxes and I don't think homes should be shown without the listing agent present. That said....I understand this presents a problem for many agents and there are plenty of sellers who are just fine with their agent not being present.

I insist on my agent being present for every showing. I've sold two homes this way without a problem. Yes, my agent is human and capable of leaving a light on. I understand this. A key left in the door is careless.

Oct 06, 2015 05:36 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

There is NO excuse for leaving the home unlocked and the key in the door. NO excuse in the world!

Oct 06, 2015 09:58 AM

Scott Godzyk

Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH

One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) it drives me crazy how inconsiderate some can be. OPen doors, open windows, lights on, muddy tracks and taking the key with them.

Oct 07, 2015 10:07 AM