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Speaking of drawers, I am putting my house up next week and am furiously trying to get it ready for sale. I know that I need to straighten out every cabinet and drawer in the kitchen and bath. Do I have to also do that with my bedroom bureau and nighttable? I mean, they wouldn't look in there.....would they? I also had planned on stashing some things under the beds....sounds like that might not be wise either, huh? OMG, I am not a neat freak so this is going to be quite stressful, keeping the house show-ready.
Also, question for the OP: Why did you not take the dogs with you? I intend to take the dogs with me and put away all dog-related evidence like bowls, food, etc. I don't want anyone distracted about dogs, or inspecting the hardwood floors more closely to see if they're scratched, etc.
I think you're stressing too much. I'd take anything embarrassing out of the night stand drawers, but don't worry about the rest. If you've got stuff under the bed that's in those storage things meant for that purpose, I'd leave them. But I'd dust under the bed before listing the property.
As far as the dogs, I'm agreeing with you 100% on that one. Leave no sign of pets in the house if at all possible. Some may think that's crazy, but I'm sticking with that idea totally. We love cats, but after a bad experience with an apartment that smelled clean at first, but two weeks later reeked of cat pee, we prefer to buy a home that has never had cats. I;m sure dogs create the same issue for some buyers. Can't ever be 100% sure, I know, but why even give a potential buyer something to ask about.
Avalon, I'd be pretty P.O.'d if buyers looked in my bedroom furniture drawers. Unless they're included in the sale of your home, they have no business looking there. Kitchen and bathroom drawers are a different story, they come with the house. Good luck with your sale and don't forget to take all prescription medicine with you, or have them securely locked up. They are extremely likely to "walk" away.
Its funny to me how many folks leave their homes for showings, I just stayed out back and when they came out there, I went out front. House sold pretty quick and a few of them even asked to speak to me. The house I bought, they also stayed. I get buyers want privacy, but imo, they can have it with the way I did it. I also wanted to make sure a realtor didn't just sit out front and let strangers "look" around inside.
A potential buyer has the right to look at any and every aspect of a home as long as they do not alter anything in the home.....so while not many do, looking in drawers, closets, under beds, turning on faucets, etc. are all perfectly appropriate. It may feel icky to the seller, but it comes with selling a home.
While potential buyers checking out built-in drawers and cabinets should be expected, checking out private dresser drawers is wholly inappropriate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by starrsealife
Now, what I do find more odd than the potential buyers behavior is the fact that you are spying on them.
I'm surprised that more people didn't comment on that.
While potential buyers checking out built-in drawers and cabinets should be expected, checking out private dresser drawers is wholly inappropriate.
I'm surprised that more people didn't comment on that.
BBM, I personally think that recording people is off the wall/creepy stuff, really.
Realtors should advise clients that the possibility of being heard/taped exists, hence, they should always advise clients to talk outside when the showing is over.
Recording/taping-video/audio anyone without their express consent is an invasion of privacy, local laws/jurisdictions vary, but seller could be setting themselves up for a civil law suit. Sellers should protect themselves by having a sign that clearly states that home is under surveilance hence, anyone entering the home has no expectation of privacy.
Eavesdropping on people other than for protection IMO is just wrong.
BBM, I personally think that recording people is off the wall/creepy stuff, really.
Realtors should advise clients that the possibility of being heard/taped exists, hence, they should always advise clients to talk outside when the showing is over.
Recording/taping-video/audio anyone without their express consent is an invasion of privacy, local laws/jurisdictions vary, but seller could be setting themselves up for a civil law suit. Sellers should protect themselves by having a sign that clearly states that home is under surveilance hence, anyone entering the home has no expectation of privacy.
Eavesdropping on people other than for protection IMO is just wrong.
I have a home security system which includes cameras in the main living area and in the yard by the driveway. This security system is detailed (with the detail that cameras are included) and an information sheet is laying on the counter in plain view as soon as you walk in the door. In fact every potential buyer has picked up that information sheet and read it with great interest. t is not even required of me to notify them that there are surveillance cameras and yet I have offered that information to them as a courtesy. This security system is very expensive and it is also an added benefit of the house. I leave the house when there's a showing and one good way for me to double check and see whether they're still there is to look at my cameras online.
In my state it is illegal to audio tape people when they are not aware but it is not illegal to videotape them using a home security system, in common living areas were there would be no expectation of personal privacy (such as a bedroom or bathroom).
Don't even try to tell me you wouldn't be tempted to watch what people , complete strangers, are doing in your house when you're not there!
Don't even try to tell me you wouldn't be tempted to watch what people , complete strangers, are doing in your house when you're not there!
Sorry to burst your bubble but until I read your posts, the idea had truly never crossed my mind. If and when I list my house to sell, I can't imagine this. Truth be told, the concept that someone might retire to the nearest Starbucks and monitor my movements and comments kind of sickens me.
If it ever comes to that, I hope I'll be able to resist the temptation to eavesdrop. In the meantime my best defense might be to query the listing agent. I hope you disclosed.
Sorry to burst your bubble but until I read your posts, the idea had truly never crossed my mind. If and when I list my house to sell, I can't imagine this. Truth be told, the concept that someone might retire to the nearest Starbucks and monitor my movements and comments kind of sickens me.
If it ever comes to that, I hope I'll be able to resist the temptation to eavesdrop. In the meantime my best defense might be to query the listing agent. I hope you disclosed.
I already made it very clear that there is no audiotape included in my security system. I cannot "monitor" anyone's comments. All I can see is the main living area of the home (living room, foyer and kitchen) and the driveway. I stated in my previous post (the one you're quoting), that audiotaping someone with a security system is illegal in my state, but that it is legal to videotape ANYONE in common living areas (not bedrooms or bathrooms or anywhere else where someone might reasonably expect personal privacy) as part of a home security system.
I also stated clearly in that post that the security system is disclosed and that the details of it, including that it has security cameras which can be accessed online and watched in real time are in the listing as well as on the information sheet on the counter (along with the info about average utility bills, what items convey, etc.)
Like I said, it's a selling point of the house.
By the way, we have this security system, not to "spy on people," but because my husband works out of town for two to three weeks at a time and I'm here alone. We are fully within our rights to monitor who enters our house (this is the purpose of the cameras - they are placed to track all doorways into the house - not what goes on in private areas).
We had a series of vehicle break ins about a year ago in our neighborhood - in fact, in our town - and the police used our surveillance tapes of the street and driveway in their investigation and solve the case.
I don't see a single thing "immoral" about watching someone come into the house and stand around in the main living area - especially after the system has been thoroughly disclosed. Not only that, if I were a potential buyer, I honestly wouldn't care if the seller could see me walk through the kitchen and living room - especially since it's clear that my comments could not be heard.
I don't know about you, but in this day and age, if I'm off my own property, I'm assuming that there's a camera anywhere that may catch me on video. That's how they caught the Boston Bombers for that matter.
BBM, I personally think that recording people is off the wall/creepy stuff, really.
Realtors should advise clients that the possibility of being heard/taped exists, hence, they should always advise clients to talk outside when the showing is over.
Recording/taping-video/audio anyone without their express consent is an invasion of privacy, local laws/jurisdictions vary, but seller could be setting themselves up for a civil law suit. Sellers should protect themselves by having a sign that clearly states that home is under surveilance hence, anyone entering the home has no expectation of privacy.
Eavesdropping on people other than for protection IMO is just wrong.
Recording audio is illegal in home security systems. Recording video is not. No one is "eavesdropping" on anyone. The video is also not clear enough to "read someone's lips."
As far as the dogs, I'm agreeing with you 100% on that one. Leave no sign of pets in the house if at all possible. Some may think that's crazy, but I'm sticking with that idea totally. We love cats, but after a bad experience with an apartment that smelled clean at first, but two weeks later reeked of cat pee, we prefer to buy a home that has never had cats. I;m sure dogs create the same issue for some buyers. Can't ever be 100% sure, I know, but why even give a potential buyer something to ask about.
I agree about the pets. I have removed all signs of pets inside my house.
My dogs are fed outdoors. Their bowl and water are outdoors. When there is a showing, I remove their dog beds from inside the house (they sleep indoors). I have a fenced area in our very large backyard that I put the dogs in when there are showings. Since they are completely useless as watchdogs (hence the security system!), they do not bark when there are people in the backyard.
I feel pretty good about this setup, especially since I've been looking at homes in roughly the same price range as my own and have seen dogs in kennels, small dogs LOOSE in the house, dogs running around in the backyard, making it impossible to go out there to look at the yard, etc.
Also, we have tile floors throughout most of the house, so there is no question of dogs damaging those. They are perfectly housebroken so the carpet in the bedrooms has no stains or odors.
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Unless they're included in the sale of your home, they have no business looking there. Kitchen and bathroom drawers are a different story, they come with the house. Good luck with your sale and don't forget to take all prescription medicine with you, or have them securely locked up. They are extremely likely to "walk" away. 
