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Any advice for my question specifically about small children in our home (above) would be appreciated.
WOW! OP you've taken a bit of a beating here. "pack your junk (junque) away", "insanely concerned", "your classy mess". Way over the top, insulting and surprisingly some of it from agents.
I went to open houses in our neighbourhood for a year prior to putting ours on the market. I was, frankly, horrified at the behaviour of some of the kids and their parents in these open houses. Maybe it's just our area, we lived in a fairly affluent NYC suburb.
I decided that open houses were not ideal, at first. After speaking with the realtor we chose, we decided to try one Open House. Our agent had one of her associates with her, they kept the door locked between small groups of shoppers.
She said they had well over 100 people come through the house that PM and our neighbours confirmed that the cars were parked on both sides of the street, 2 blocks down. The shoppers started gathering at our front door at noon for a 1 PM open.
At the end of the open, our agent wiped down all the door knobs and flat surfaces (little hand prints during flu season). I thought that was above the call of duty but .
At the end of the day we had 4 offers and we never had to show the house again. We never had to turn our home over to some unknown agent and hope that they respected our home as much as our agent did.
I completely understand your concerns and hope that you find the best scenario to sell your home.
And if OP's realtor is any help whatsoever, she will try to help out the families who can't leave kids at home in order to get her house sold.
We have friends with a dog who can't be left alone at home while there are strangers in the house-- its an elderly pup who startles easily because she is going blind and will nip (and if crated, people will still stick their hands in and try to pet her...too much risk for them to leave her). Their only time to go to showings was when their OWN house was open and they had the dog with them. One would sit in the car with the dog while the other toured and vice versa. It was exhausting for them.
They finally started touring model homes in new communities because they couldn't find what they wanted and the models were open more regular hours. One agent saw the turn taking with the dog and asked if they wanted to bring her into the house. The bought in THAT community because the agent was so accommodating and they could relax and take their time.
I am not saying that children are dogs but simply this: if you have some kind of constraint that keeps you from fully viewing a house, a good agent will recognize that and do what it takes to remove that constraint. If that means coloring with a four year old at the kitchen table while mom and dad view, that might be what it takes.
It’s not the OP’s realtor’s responsibility to do that. Certainly a dog is something very different from a kid, and I can’t see any agent saying “sure I’ll babysit” while the parents go see a home. At any rate, it’s up to the buyer’s agent to work with the family to hopefully try to arrange times that are better for the family. I know when my sister and her husband have gone to see homes, they typically try to see them without the kid because he’s pretty active. They’ll either go one at a time or they’ll go during a lunch break at work or after work while the kid is still at daycare.
It is just beyond to ask the agent to babysit a kid... and I can’t imagine any agent would agree to do it, particularly the SELLER’s agent who has never met the buyer and has no clue about the kid.
OP here is what I would do. I would put the onus on the buyer agent.
So if I was your agent here is what I would do.
1) All agents have to call me to make an appointment. During that phone call, I would explain that you have had damage to your personal items in the past including special gifts left on your furniture. I'd be really nice and diplomatic about it. I think agents will understand.
2) As such, the buyer agent needs to sign a form stating that they will supervise their clients and any children that they bring.
3) The buyer agent also agrees to replace/repair any items that were damaged during a showing.
You don't need to restrict children. The buyer agents will strongly encourage their buyers to not bring children, or require that they hold their hands while touring the home.
To all the people saying restrict kids, that isn't realistic. People relocating generally don't know anyone in the area. They have to bring their kids. In 15 years, I've only had to grab someone's child twice. 99% of parents do exactly what they should be doing. It's that last percent that cause issues for home sellers.
Also just because you are selling your home doesn't mean you need to put up with rude and inconsiderate behavior.
OP here is what I would do. I would put the onus on the buyer agent.
So if I was your agent here is what I would do.
1) All agents have to call me to make an appointment. During that phone call, I would explain that you have had damage to your personal items in the past including special gifts left on your furniture. I'd be really nice and diplomatic about it. I think agents will understand.
2) As such, the buyer agent needs to sign a form stating that they will supervise their clients and any children that they bring.
3) The buyer agent also agrees to replace/repair any items that were damaged during a showing.
You don't need to restrict children. The buyer agents will strongly encourage their buyers to not bring children, or require that they hold their hands while touring the home.
To all the people saying restrict kids, that isn't realistic. People relocating generally don't know anyone in the area. They have to bring their kids. In 15 years, I've only had to grab someone's child twice. 99% of parents do exactly what they should be doing. It's that last percent that cause issues for home sellers.
Also just because you are selling your home doesn't mean you need to put up with rude and inconsiderate behavior.
Oooh, the signed form is a fantastic idea. I like that better than the sign.
It is not “your home”.
It is real estate you want to sell.
Best answer yet. My late husband had an expensive sports memorabilia collection. We stored it. I'm not sure why you feel the house would show poorly without the art but as a buyer if i had small kids and they could not come with me to see where they would potentially be living that would be one less property I'd be interested in.
Best answer yet. My late husband had an expensive sports memorabilia collection. We stored it. I'm not sure why you feel the house would show poorly without the art but as a buyer if i had small kids and they could not come with me to see where they would potentially be living that would be one less property I'd be interested in.
I think this is valid. We all have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to our home and its decor.
I have a very expensive antique oriental rug that I absolutely adore. When we got our last home ready for sale, I was told to store it because it "was very heavy and made the room look cluttered" and "people want to see the condition of the hardwood floor." It was a kick to the teeth because I LOVE that rug and can't imagine that anyone else wouldn't either. But I did as instructed because I was trying to sell the house and not the rug.
OP here is what I would do. I would put the onus on the buyer agent.
So if I was your agent here is what I would do.
1) All agents have to call me to make an appointment. During that phone call, I would explain that you have had damage to your personal items in the past including special gifts left on your furniture. I'd be really nice and diplomatic about it. I think agents will understand.
2) As such, the buyer agent needs to sign a form stating that they will supervise their clients and any children that they bring.
3) The buyer agent also agrees to replace/repair any items that were damaged during a showing.
Would buyers agents really take on all of that liability with a form? Seems like they would just tell the listing agent to be there
You are right, Birdie. I initially didn't realize I was being baited, or "invited to," as you put it. Live and learn. I've been on CD forums, infrequently, only a few weeks and didn't know this kind of thing happened. Some people just can't help themselves, I guess.
Welcome to City-Drama!
Take what advice is in your best interests, the rest.... meh
Would buyers agents really take on all of that liability with a form? Seems like they would just tell the listing agent to be there
No. Buyer agents don't like listing agents at showings because they can't comfortably talk about the house. No buyer agent wants the listing agent following them through every room to watch the kids.
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