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Barb.b
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 6:49am | IP Logged
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Had a house showing (my house is for sale) from 3:00-5:00 yesterday. We leave the whole time. We are on the way home (after 5:00) and get a call - they are running late and want till 6:00. OK , no problem here yet - I say yes. We stop by a visit with a science teacher my kids had - and get home around 7:00 - and find the back door WIDE OPEN! Not just unlocked - but open as far as it can go. Now in my neighborhood in texas - we have woods behind us with all sorts of wildlife. Wildlife that eat pets - coyotes, bobcats. . . and we have 2 indoor house cats! We were frantic because we couldn't find them! We finally did - I think the younger one went outside, because you could tell she was spooked - she has always been interested in outside so we are careful about leaving doors open.
But could you imagine leaving someones door open. We did a test and left the door just ajar and also about 1 inch open - to see if it would blow or swing open - no - that door stays wherever you leave it. These people went outside and came it and left it open. You can bet I called my realtor (yes, shaky and almost in tears because we LOVE these cats). But I also called the one that showed the house. I told her she left my door wide open and my kids and I (I made sure she knew there were kids upset) were frantically looking for my cats and I hope she feels ashamed!
OH Boy. I am going to leave a sign on the door about the cats. BUt no more am I simply leaving the whole time someone sets aside for a showing. We will be ready to leave right when the realtor and people arrive and get in our car and drive about a block away and then come back right when they are gone.
Goodness - what if I was on vacation and the door was wide open for a week. You see - I have no fence - there are neighbors but to the side not back. To the back I have forest with lots of wildlife (heck, there are even occasional mountain lion reports!).
Oh - thank you for letting me vent!!!!
Barb
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Betsy
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 6:52am | IP Logged
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The whole siutation sounds very unprofessional! I am sorry that you had to experience this. 
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 7:01am | IP Logged
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Oh Barb! I loathe the whole experience of house-selling. It's stress on top of stress on top of stress!!!
We did exactly what you propose when we sold our house (it's been 9 years since then)....I packed special little bags for the kids with snacks and coloring books, etc. for when we had to vacate for a showing and we took our dog with us!!! Then we parked on the street just down the way. I was ready to roll the minute I saw the realtor pull in, and usually was able to get out the back door without any interaction with them. I just could not/WOULD NOT drive around town for hours on end. I found that many times realtors were late, or their clients were late, and my life was already up-ended enough so I insisted (!!!) the process be a little more reasonable for a family, and they didn't have much say in it!!  I agreed that it was best we not be here for the showing, so worked very hard to scoot out of here as soon as I saw them arrive, but the minute I saw them leave, we pulled right back in our driveway.
to you guys for your shaky showing yesterday! Get yourself a little sit-in-the-car-around-the-corner bag together, and plan on leaving and parking within viewing distance of your house! And put the cats in the car if you can!
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 7:03am | IP Logged
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How scary.
I think you did just the right thing.
We have cats, too, and whenever we've had our house up for rent, we've had to tell every single realtor about the cats right before each showing. Even so, we've had a few minor things happen (garage door into house left open, for example).
This is one of those times when you really do have to be overprotective and careful, unfortunately.
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stellamaris
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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Oh, Barb, how upsetting! I can sure understand why you want to stay at home next time! Just one thought...don't say ANYTHING to the potential buyer except, "Hello" and "Goodbye". My husband and I have been house hunting and I can't tell you how many times comments by the home-owner have caused us to rule out a house. So, just remember to let the realtor do the talking.
Praying your house sells soon! I'm so glad you found your cats and they were OK!
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kristinannie
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That is scary. We aren't living in our house right now (we already moved) and our realtor doesn't usually tell us when it is shown. I am going to have to be more careful!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 11:48am | IP Logged
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Barb, Have your realtor put a note on your listing, to give instructions about doors and cats. Everyone who shows it has to follow those instructions.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Dec 17 2011 at 7:40pm | IP Logged
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Well, really they are supposed to follow those notes with Centralized Showing Service - but they never do. I think it has been in there. I put a note on the front door (outside and in) that said Cats Inside! Don't let them outside. and on the final line: Close and Lock outside doors.
Then on each of the other doors (w back and one into garage) I put: Keep closed! and under that: Close and Lock when done.
Barb
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: Dec 19 2011 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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Barb,
I would also call the broker. They need to know what their agents are doing and you may get a better response.
Having a good agent makes such a difference. We have bought and sold 3 times and this last time was by far the best because we had an excellent agent.
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Topic: can't believe what a realtor did
