Buyer Etiquitte...

Purchasing a home is probably the biggest single purchase we will ever make in our life time but that doesn't excuse bad manners.  When you are seeing a home that is up for sale, always remember and respect that it is still someone's home.  Someone lives there and I'm sure we can all empathize that the simple act of living can require a lot of  scheduling and planning.  Putting your house up for sale amongst all that can be extremely stressful to say the least.  With the Golden Rule as my guideline, I'd like to offer my personal list of buyer etiquette...

• Provide basic information.  Don't try to make an appointment providing only a first name.  Houses belong to someone even when they are on the market.  Owners have a right to know who is asking about their home...wouldn't you want to know?

• Take off your shoes before entering the home.  

• Be on time for the showing.  If you are going to be late or if you do need to cancel please let your agent know immediately so they can let the homeowner's know.  Do not assume being late is acceptable.  A showing even 15 minutes later may not be an option for the homeowner and you may have to rearrange your showing for another time and maybe even another day.

• On that same note, showings have end times too.  Be respectful of how much time you are spending in the home.  Further discussions on the home can be continued at a different location.

• Feel free to open pantries, closets and cupboards and basically anything that is part of the house.  Dresser drawers and personal items that have nothing to do with the purchase of the house is off limits.  Do not sit on their bed or any of their furniture for that matter.

• If you do need to shuffle or move some personal items to inspect a portion of the house, that is acceptable. However, it should be done with utmost care and it should be put back exactly as you found it.  

• If you go to an open house be prepared to "sign-in" and give the correct information.  This is a security measure for the homeowners.  If you do not want to be contacted, just communicate that to the agent.  If you are working with another agent, just let the listing agent know that, but you still sign in and you still give the correct information.  

• If you are bringing your children with you to the showing please make sure that they understand that this is some one's home.  Keep them by your side at all times.  This is for their safety as well as for the safety of the home-owner's possessions.

• If you are not pre-approved for a mortgage, don't be offended if an agent won't show you a house.  As an agent, we have a responsibility to the home owner to only show their home to qualified buyers.

• Be prepared to look at houses.  Make sure you have eaten recently, that you're not too tired and please go to the bathroom before you leave.

• Oh...and last but not least...leave the family pet at home.

I remember showing a home after it had snowed heavily all day.   The roads were beyond bad. My buyers and I arrived at the house for our 4:30 showing to discover that their  driveway had been freshly shoveled to the concrete, the house was immaculately clean and the homeowners, with their children in tow, left us to view their home  undisturbed.  I was so impressed and could only imagine the work involved from the time they got home from work until our showing  so that we could have a pleasant showing in the most unpleasant of circumstances.   If a homeowner can go to all that trouble for us  shouldn't we be returning the favour?

Basically, treat the home with utmost respect.  You must keep in mind that sellers are giving up some of their privacy once they put their property on the selling block.  Give them the respect that is due them.  One day, you will most likely be in the position of selling your home, so remember the golden rule when it comes to home buying.  If you do that, you won't ever go wrong.

Have you ever had your home up for sale?  I'm curious if you could add to this list.  If you can, please leave a comment and share.  I'd love to hear from you.

I'm here for YOU.

~Ciao