Special offer
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Yes. They were distracted by all the stuff in the house, which is why sellers should put as much stuff as possible in storage and/or out of sight. I knew my buyers didn't steal, but all the stuff slows down the showing and causes too many distractions.

Nov 25, 2016 04:09 AM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

Only a couple of times a long time ago have I had this happen with buyers and they never did buy.  I actually joked with one and said "just like window shopping, right" and they confessed they were just courious about homes in the area and loved to look around.  That ended the tour quickly. Way too much time on their hands I would think.

This is why I also don't do open houses.  Most come in to just look around at things vs homes.

Nov 25, 2016 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I have had that when there was a rare sports car in the garage and no, that was not available at any price.

Nov 25, 2016 06:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,333
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Yes and that is what happens when a seller doesn't de-clutter and put things away! Too many distractions and then the buyers are not looking at the house only their possessions.

Nov 25, 2016 05:03 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Yes during an open house, which is why i know have 2 agents for occupied homes

Nov 25, 2016 04:44 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

At the start of the home touring event. I make the buyer aware of the sequence of homes to be visited, the PURPOSE of the visit, and that only 30 minutes  are allocated for each stop, AND that each appointment includes a TIME that we must honor.

That means I can say, "The folks at 16000 Pennsylvania Ave will be waiting on us. We need to go to be on time for our next appointment."

Nov 25, 2016 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Actually this sometimes happens to a lesser degree with showing vacation condos, so I'm not that surprised ;)

Nov 25, 2016 03:51 AM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Yes, and he was looking at my property.

Nov 24, 2016 11:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Some designer decorated houses are spectacular, that destructs from the house itself, it is true.

Nov 26, 2016 12:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington - now this is a bit too much…… And yes, I'd feel uncomfortable.

Nov 25, 2016 09:28 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I'd say that buyer was not in any rush to buy.....

Nov 25, 2016 02:22 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Yes, as they reached to look into the fridge I stopped them.  I explained that if they are done looking at the house, then we can leave.  If not, then please proceed in looking at the rooms and not the personal belongings of people.  I don't like snoopers.  

Nov 25, 2016 12:38 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Yes, and not uncomfortable, annoyed; I had to constantly snap them out of it.

"none of this stays guys, focus on what you are buying not saying goodbye to>"

Nov 25, 2016 11:44 AM
Ambassador
1,452,619
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Doesn't bother me.   I've sold 2 of my own homes fully furnished and many of my listings too. 

Nov 25, 2016 11:23 AM
Rainer
30,305
Nick Schlekeway
Amherst Madison Legacy - Boise, ID
I seek to Add Value to my Client's Experience.

Yes... did not make me uncomfortable so much as it reminded me of an old lesson. A seller should put their home in a condition where the buyer is focused on the home/property and how their life is going to look during occupancy. 

NS

Nov 25, 2016 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

yes and not a fan of it

Nov 25, 2016 09:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Wow, thankfully never had that.  Most buyers will comment on one or two things that really catch their eye, but never to that extreme.  Sounds like a voyeur/peeping Tom that is using the ruse of home buying to see into people's lives.

Nov 25, 2016 09:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes & it gives me the creeps. I tell them stop worrying about the sellers stuff which is not staying. I hate it when the want the kitchen table or other items too.

Sitting in the sellers chair put you in their head? Don't know what they are thinking.

Nov 25, 2016 08:48 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,584
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

yes and yes - that is really creepy

Nov 25, 2016 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Yes! and they wanted it in the offer as a contingency. We are not in th furniture business!

Nov 25, 2016 07:58 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

No, I have not.  It would make me uncomfortable as well. 

Nov 25, 2016 07:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, to both.

Nov 25, 2016 06:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington I hope they weren't casing the place. I've had people in the past comment of furniture.

Nov 25, 2016 06:40 AM
Rainmaker
5,215,573
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Never to the extent you described here!

Nov 25, 2016 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,631
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It's rare but it certainly is a red flag.  Real buyers buy and this gives the impression of "casing" the house.   

Nov 25, 2016 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul, some folks are that way. I would say something, would you want people examining your house?  And I would watch them like a hawk. A 

Nov 25, 2016 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

I have had lots of high end listings and the "stuff" inside them can be quite dazzling, so yes but it didn't make me feel uncomfortable.

Nov 25, 2016 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

If he decided To take a shower then I worry.

Dec 24, 2016 06:49 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

If the items were small and valuable, and if I didn't know the buyer well, I might get a little vigilant.

Nov 27, 2016 02:20 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Yes, one of my listings - the owner was a collector.  I wish they would pack items away. 

Nov 26, 2016 09:41 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Not to that degree. I've been on houses with buyers where their furnishings and interior decor is way more interesting than the home, itself, however.

Nov 26, 2016 06:08 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes and no.

Nov 25, 2016 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Yes

Nov 25, 2016 02:09 PM
Ambassador
5,229,259
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Yes and I find that very strange!  They're there to buy the house, not judge the current owners by their 'stuff!'

Nov 25, 2016 01:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes to this and sometimes the seller likes the attention. I dont encourage this

Nov 25, 2016 10:05 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Those who are more interested in pending sales asking me why I do not show them earlier or how much it got sold for.  I often disengage my relationship as these folks are not serious,

Nov 25, 2016 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

no

Nov 25, 2016 05:43 AM
Ambassador
2,178,433
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

What Jeff Pearl said.  

Nov 25, 2016 05:29 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,234
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It does happen and it does not bother me. Just keep them focused.

Nov 25, 2016 04:50 AM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

No, but I bet it happens.

Nov 25, 2016 03:17 AM
Rainmaker
815,153
Paul Antonelli
Antonelli Realty - Saint Cloud, FL
Broker Owner; Antonelli Realty

Yes, it happens all the time

Nov 25, 2016 02:09 AM