Friday, May 25, 2007 - Getting In the Door

I mean this literally. I - can't - get - in - the - door.

 There is nothing worse when showing a house and you can't get the door open. The buyers are at peak anticipation (unless it looks like a dump from the outside, which is a whole other issue). I open the lockbox. Take out the keys. Figure out which key goes in which lock.

And I can't get the door open. I fiddle with the key -- you know, that little wiggle that you give it in the lock. Nothing.

I pull the door towards me while I turn the key in the lock. Nothing.

I try other keys. I try my car keys. Nothing.

The BUYER tries the keys. No dice. (Though in the interests of full disclosure, I am key-challenged. Sometimes the buyer is successful when I'm not. It's HARD to smoothly open a door while everyone is staring!)

Then, to cap it off, the agent/owner/tenant or whoever say, "oh yeah, the door sticks. You just have to kick it/push it/lift up/fill in your own solution."

Sellers! Agents! If you do nothing else, make it easy to open the door!

Fix that first!

Before it goes on the market!

(C) Susan Pruden.

Saturday, May 26, 2007 - re: Getting In the Door

Saturday, May 26, 2007 - re: Getting In the Door

So true -- you would remember that! The "rest of the story", as they say, is that Ardy and I couldn't see this particular house because there was no key in the lockbox. We eventually went back and that's the house he bought! Now, better still, he's my neighbor.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - re: Getting In the Door

Not sure if my first comment was property posted so here it goes again...

Your post is so real world!  I can't imagine why a listing agent would allow the seller to be put into such a "fixable" situation. The front entry makes a lasting impression on a buyer and so will a stuck door!

I'm in 100% agreement that the door needs to open with ease! 

What kind of response have you received when you pass on this information to the listing agent? 

Just curious to know what their explanation is if any for not making it easier to enter the property.

Thanks!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - re: Getting In the Door

I am key challenged too.  I think it is a height leverage thing. 

I think often the key is newly made for the showings and the front door is seldom used.