RealTown's RealTalk

I'm curious to know what you listing agents say to the buyer's agent in the following scenario:

1) Buyer's offer is accepted on a property that is currently occupied by the seller.

2) Buyer's agent calls and says, 'can we get into the house tomorrow morning as the buyer would like (fill in the blank -- show it to her mother, measure rooms, whatever).

Why do you think it is or isn't a good idea for buyers to have access to the property, aside from home inspections, etc., once it is under contract?

FWIW, I don't think it's a good idea and have several reasons, but I figure some of  you will think of things I've never thought of before -- it's happened before with this group (I know, go figure!)

Thanks! --Susan

I have had requests like this before, and I have had multiple people show up for a home inspection without prior consent from the seller (which I chewed the other agent out for...).  I tell buyer's agents that I will ask the sellers (as it is their home, not mine) and then strongly encourage them to say no to having the buyer's in the home other than previously agreed to times.  Then I call the other agent back and tell them that I suggested to the seller that they not allow access, and they chose to heed my advice. 

I am sure that there are some liability reasons that people can come up with, but the bottom line for me is I think it is rude.  This is someones house, not a train station.  Mom's approval, measurements for window coverings, new sofas, etc can wait and be done during the 3 hours that a home inspection takes.

 Melina Tomson, MS
ABR, e-PRO
melina@tomsonburnham.com
www.TomsonBurnham.com
ph: 503-371-6515
fax: 503-588-1628

I also do not see a problem with it, of course it would be up to my sellers. If they do not mind, why should I. I would try to make it work for what was convenient with my sellers.

Deborah Mayson

Melina Tomson said: I have had requests like this before, and I have had multiple people show up for a home inspection without prior consent from the seller (which I chewed the other agent out for...).  I tell buyer's agents that I will ask the sellers (as it is their home, not mine) and then strongly encourage them to say no to having the buyer's in the home other than previously agreed to times.  Then I call the other agent back and tell them that I suggested to the seller that they not allow access, and they chose to heed my advice. 

I am sure that there are some liability reasons that people can come up with, but the bottom line for me is I think it is rude.  This is someones house, not a train station.  Mom's approval, measurements for window coverings, new sofas, etc can wait and be done during the 3 hours that a home inspection takes.

Reply: It is indeed the seller's home and folks should not be showing up without an appointment - that is rude.  However, in our area, they can have whomever they choose at a home inspections - so if they want contractor's advice, etc. it is really none of the sellers business who shows up.  At other times, I believe the seller should be accommodating and help the new buyer be excited about their new purchase (it must be done by appointment).  It makes for a very smooth transaction.  I think it is about managing the sellers and buyers expectations and emotions and communicating those expectations to the other agent.   Perhaps nobody would need to be "chewed out" if they understood the expectations during a transaction.

In this scenario we are not talking about a vacant house.  I don't see any issues with a buyer going into a vacant house with their agent as many times as they want. 

Sellers need to be off the property while the buyer is there, or we have to try and coordinate shedules if the seller can't leave.  I have had sellers in the past allow access,stay there, and then they and the buyer talk about something "informally" like having a professional maid service clean the house after they leave or what window treatments are to stay.  Then of course when it does not happen that way after closing I get a call from the other agent with an upset client.

So while I may be a kill joy, I'm really not interested in dealing with any aftershocks.  People hire me for my expertise and to prevent the aftershocks.  I have asked many a seller to measure a fridge opening for a buyer and email me the dimensions.  I had a time where the buyer agent set up the inspection and only the inspector was going to be there.  The seller came home for something to find 8 people in his house. He was not happy.  Some people are very private, have children, and don't want to be intruded upon.  I find most sellers don't want to allow access, but feel pressured to.  Most people don't want people to think they are slobs, and to have to clean a house so that someone can take window measurement, etc is crazy.  Remember, these are people who are packing up a house and moving.  They are typically stressed!  I have had buyers look up the sellers phone number and call them directly.  I work with buyers also and see their enthusiasm, and I carry a tape measure in my purse at ALL times so that we can do those things at appropriate times.

Buyers have the initial and often 2nd showings, home inspection, appraisal and final walk through to do whatever it is they need to do.   Those are the times to ask about bringing friends or relatives and take measurements.  I had a seller who loved their home so much they set up a "tour" with the buyer prior to closing to show them how to maintain the house (ie furnace filters, water shut off, etc).  Out here it is only 30 days from offer to close, and the buyers have access 3 times already.  All I am saying, is that calling to shedule a time for the next day to take care of miscellaneous items is rude, based on how we do business out here.

Melina Tomson, MS
ABR, e-PRO
melina@tomsonburnham.com
www.TomsonBurnham.com
ph: 503-371-6515
fax: 503-588-1628

Why do you think it is or isn't a good idea for buyers to have access to the property, aside from home inspections, etc., once it is under contract?"
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I don't think it's a huge deal either way.  I've been the agent on each side of this request at different times.  If the seller isn't going to be inconvenienced, and so long as there is no reason to think the buyer will be doing something they shouldn't, I see no problem with allowing them to bring in their parents or measure for furniture.  As the listing agent, I usually accompany those buyers, because the lockbox has already been removed.  SO I make sure ther is no problem.

However, in our area, they can have whomever they choose at a home inspections - so if they want contractor's advice, etc.

Well this is true if the people that show up are contractor's...Having 8 friends show up is not appropriate.  You can have a party after the house closes...

Melina Tomson, MS
ABR, e-PRO
melina@tomsonburnham.com
www.TomsonBurnham.com
ph: 503-371-6515
fax: 503-588-1628

Diane, while it may be true that parents can/could be the "kiss of death" for a sale, it actually seldom happens that way. I think I only ever had one deal where the parent killed a deal. Some parents feel nothing is quite good enough for their darlings.

My mother tried to talk my sister out of all three of her houses, but my sister bought them anyway.

I'm a parent, and I would want to see anything my children are contemplating to purchase. I would point out the negatives and the positives. Grown children will still make up their own mind. Trying to keep a parent away is not in anyone's best interest, as it can foster hard feelings, and make both agents look bad.

A house that looks bad during a walk-thru, can have issues whether or not the parent is there. We've all seen how the carpet and walls can look awful after the Seller's stuff has been removed. (One of the reasons I prefer vacant houses...) If we warn the buyers of this in advance, they won't be quite so dismayed.

Not all my deals were peace, love & harmony, but MOST were. It's not that difficult when both agents emphasize "accommodate" rather than "stumbling-block".

In Diane's case, it sounds as though both agents kept their cool; did not overreact. This probably held the deal together, while the buyer mentally worked through their last-minute doubts.
Many times the Dad can't wait to get in there and help paint or whatever... :o)

Lindy in Houston