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A Time And A Place

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

We have all heard the expression that "there is a time and a place". We usually hear it first as children when we exhibit inappropriate behavior that may have been appropriate at home or in the backyard. ie Running like banshees in a restaurant of church.

If you are looking at homes you know you have a good Real Estate Agent if they warn you to behave yourself in the home you are viewing. WHAT?  On rare occasion, in my early years of Real Estate the home Seller did not vacate the premises for showing. You wouldn't think you would need to tell adults "don't comment on the home until we are back outside" but I do remember giving that advice each time I showed an occupied home.

Now one has to watch what they say even if the house is empty as there are cameras everywhere.

With cameras everywhere it's not only important to watch what you say but what you DO as well. When looking at homes you have no business rummaging through drawers, medicine cabinets, and closets. Again, don't be offended if your agents tells you these things, thank them for the reminder.

 

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Do you enjoy the cartoons written by my son (Timmothy N. Timm) which I use as a springboard to write my daily posts? His strip, Titus & Philemon, has run in two newspapers for years as well as being printed in my blog every day. Titus & Philemon (pronounced Phi - Lee -Man) are guinea pigs. Their owner is Joe. Timmothy has never repeated a joke/comic strip in the 12 years he has been writing it. He has never copied another strip, such as Peanuts or Garfield. You can follow Timmothy on FB as Titus & Philemon and you can also check him out on Instagram as Instagram.com/titus and philemon/ .

Comments(11)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bob - to me, yes "but" could be the start of a conversation rather than putting an end to anything meaningful.  I guess that, in itself, says a lot.  

Mar 08, 2025 04:25 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Yup. Early in my career, before representing builders and developers, I enjoyed showing homes to Buyers with ME driving us from home to home. That made conversing much easier Michael Jacobs .

Mar 08, 2025 06:28 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Bob. Best to keep your comments to yourself until we have exited the premises was always my mantra especially when the presence of cameras were suspected. Better safe than sorry. Enjoy your day.

Mar 08, 2025 04:33 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

That is it "Better safe than sorry" Wayne Martin . 😊

Mar 08, 2025 06:29 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Bob "RealMan" Timm - Those three comics you posted are hilarious! The first comic strip was the best intro for your blog post. People say the darndest things when looking at house. It's like, they are clueless and say the strangest things in other people's houses. They don't even use common sense, knowing real people really live there and there could be listening devices!

Great post today!

Mar 08, 2025 04:40 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

More than once I had to remind Buyers that were were not there to look at the pictures on the wall Patricia Feager 😘

Mar 08, 2025 06:31 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

As a listing agent in Ohio, you have to disclose if there are any audio/video devices present and active in the home!!!

You wouldn't think you would need to tell adults "don't comment on the home until we are back outside" but I do remember giving that advice each time I showed an occupied home.

Mar 08, 2025 04:46 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

No you wouldn't think you would need to tell adults to behave Sham Reddy CRS but quite often it was necessary.

Mar 08, 2025 06:33 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I think they are right since it doesn't seem like a good idea to build and ice stack inside of a house, haha.

Mar 08, 2025 04:52 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Yes, stacking ice or bringing snow in for a fort is a really bad idea (unless the home has no heat in it) Brian England . Have a fun weekend. 😊

Mar 08, 2025 06:36 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Bob,
I assume anytime I am out and about I'm being watched and/or heard.

Mar 08, 2025 05:20 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

As we all should assume these days Carol Williams . At least we can trust there are no cameras in bathrooms... yet. 😣

Mar 08, 2025 06:37 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh yes indeed, everyone needs to know what to expect when viewing houses. Telling buyers there may be cameras and microphones in the house is a smart move!

Mar 08, 2025 05:24 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I remember when it was a new concept Kat Palmiotti but now I think it would be the exception to NOT have cameras.

Mar 08, 2025 06:39 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Bob... I've been telling buyers to be very circumspect about what they say inside a home these days... unless of course, there's a message they really want to deliver to the seller. :)

Mar 08, 2025 05:25 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Interesting counter point Nina Hollander, Broker my Love. One could have fun with that. ie "Can you believe they didn't even clean the litter box?" or "Have you ever seen so much dog poop in one yard?"

Mar 08, 2025 06:41 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Bob "RealMan" Timm Exactly!

Mar 08, 2025 06:46 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Bob and Happy Saturday.  Camera are in so many homes now and even the ring doorbell can catch what people are saying.  

Mar 08, 2025 08:00 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Yup! I have a Ring video doorbell myself Will Hamm and I also have cameras in my home that I activate anytime no one is home.

Mar 08, 2025 06:27 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

What a fun yet insightful take on home viewings, Bob "RealMan" Timm! Your blend of humor and sage advice really hits the mark, reminding us all to be mindful and respectful. Thanks for sharing your experiences—it's a great reminder that etiquette matters, even when house hunting! 🏡✨

Mar 08, 2025 01:47 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I am sure there are many fun stories out there about hidden home cameras Lew Corcoran . I am sure there are also stories of cameras solving crimes in the home as well.

Mar 08, 2025 06:29 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Yes indeed, I assume there are cameras in every house, disclosed or not.
We now talk about the house most often in the backyard or across the street.

Mar 09, 2025 10:39 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

That is a wise way to handle it Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP 

Mar 09, 2025 04:28 PM