It is Impossible to Erase all Trace of Visitors When Your House is For Sale

Posted on April 16, 2010 
Filed Under Buying Your New Home, Listing and Selling Your Home, Valerie Zinger

No matter how hard they try not to disrupt a house, people coming into your home, to view it or inspect it for purchase, will leave some evidence that they have been there. 

I recently accompanied a Buyer on his home inspection.  The inspection went very well.  This was his first home and he brought 4 other people to walk through the inspection with him.  Imagine – an inspector, the Buyer, 4 friends/relatives and the real estate agent!!!  Too many.  Everyone was careful to remove their shoes.  I watched to ensure that the Sellers’ things were respected.  The inspector put everything back where it belonged (such as the cover on the electrical box) and tried to put ornaments back in their right location when he had to move the to get access at doors, cranks, tapes, pipes, etc. 

Before leaving the house, I did one final tour to ensure that all doors were closed and locked and that all lights were turned off.  I left and was not more that 15 minutes away when I realized that I had forgotten my binder.  I returned within the 1/2 hour to get my binder. 

Imagine my surprise to find a very distressed homeowner, vacuum in hand and tension emanating from every pore.  I assumed that she was worried about the results of the inspection so I mentioned that it had gone very well and that the she would soon be hearing from her real estate agent about the inspection and any other conditions.  Her distress, and it was significant, was related to the table in the kitchen being moved (the inspector had opened the windows to ensure that the cranks were functioning) and that three dining room chairs and her plant had been moved in the dining room – where the inspector, Buyer and I had sat discussing the inspection and getting the final written report. 

I felt badly for her.  It was obvious that any unknown visitors were an intrusion and that the selling process had been very difficult.  Although her house was only 5 days on the market, every day must have been torture.  I apologized for moving the furniture and left. 

If you are selling, remember that It is impossible for people to spend 3 hours on an inspection in your house and not leave some trace of being there.  If you are a Buyer, keep in mind, the motto – “Touch with your eyes.” unless you are with a home inspector. 

Photo credit:  footprint.JPG@ http://www.flickr.com/photos/greencolander/1413601855/

Comments

One Response to “It is Impossible to Erase all Trace of Visitors When Your House is For Sale”

  1. Laura on April 16th, 2010 9:48 am

    another great article today from Valerie – I sooo enjoy your blog ! You’ve absolutely captured here that although we Realtors are very comfortable with the process (because it is so familar to us) we have to remember that for many sellers this is such a stressful time. And if someone is the least bit a shy and private person this can be even extra difficult.
    Thanks for sharing this story, and I know it is a reminder for me to take the time to help folks “prepare” for what it means to have so many visits and then such a hands-on Inspection of their home.

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