Selling your home and you don’t want to put up with buyer’s annoying behavior during the showing appointment? Then leave before the agent arrives with the client.
Most sellers in Costa Rica have the bad habit to stay at their home during a showing appointment. I allow sellers to say hi at the door when we arrive, but then they have to disappear.
If they don’t disappear right away and follow us every inch of the way, they get a yellow card. They will only get two yellow cards and the third one is a red one if they’re really a pain in the butt. That means that I will delete their listing from my websites and not assist them in the sale anymore. Having the seller interfere with your showing appointment is something I do not enjoy very much.
Being in the way is not the only reason I ask them to leave. There are many occasions that buyers behave badly during the showing appointment and I prefer the seller are not present. Nothing worse than a homeowner tell a buyer “don’t touch that” or “don’t open that”.
Let’s have a look at some annoying behavior during a showing appointment for a moment.
1. Dirty shoes
Especially during the rainy season, it is possible that clients come in with dirty shoes. I always ask buyers to wipe their feet before walking into the house. But not every buyer is well educated and there are plenty who walk into the house without doing so.
A mad-looking seller can lose the sale right there. I know, it’s no fun, but isn’t selling the house more important than a white carpet? Or you can have shoe covers handy at your front door!
2. Using the restroom
I know people who will go pee in every house they visit. It can get worse though and a homeowner might not enjoy the smells a complete stranger leaves behind. Always check there is enough toilet paper for such emergencies.
3. The lights
I personally prefer all the lights on during a showing appointment, especially in the rainy season. Some homeowners love to trail behind us switching off the lights behind us. Some buyers love to go back and turn them on again, just for the fun of it.
4. The cat
Some home buyers do not care for cats. They might even let the cat escape, against the seller’s instructions.
5. The beds
Lots of buyers like to test the beds even though they know the beds are not included in the sale. Imagine the faces of the homeowners if they would have been present!
6. Closet lookers
Some buyers love to look into closets during a showing appointment. Maybe they just like to see how much storage space is in the closet. Or maybe they just want to see what’s in it!
7. Toilet Flushers
Often, buyers flush every toilet in the house, to see if they flush well. They also like to open up every faucet in the house, to see how good the pressure is and if it drains well. I have even seen some throwing balls of toilet paper in the toilet, so make sure it drains well. Doing so, they might end up making a mess in every bathroom.
8. Family photos
I’ve seen buyers have a close look at every family photo in the house. Make sure you lock them away before a showing appointment unless you want them to enjoy your dear family moments.
9. The kids
There are always buyers (and their kids) who can’t keep their hands off the decorations in the house. Or one of the kids visiting is a homemade Picasso. Put your much-loved decorations and your colored pencils away before a showing appointment.
10. Stealing
Sometimes, during a showing appointment, the buyer’s family will be all over the house. Put away your jewelry, medicines, money, family heirlooms, and tablets. Things tend to get misplaced once in a while. You won’t stop this by staying at home, just make sure it’s all locked well away.
11. Books
I hope you don’t mind the clients (and your real estate broker) check out the books you have. It’s just that I can’t stop myself from doing it. Oh, and if you want to give them away when moving, ask me first, please.
Planning to put your home up for sale? Now you know what the inconveniences are when you stay during the showing appointment. Contact us for assisting in selling your home, you’re in good hands.
The grammar of the Spanish version of this blog was checked and corrected by Wagner Freer of Spanish School for Residents and Expats. We strongly recommend this language school as your best choice to learn Spanish, click here to contact them.
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