Buyers touching personal property

[Jennifer Shaw]

My husband and I are selling our house that we are currently still living in. We have security cameras set up inside and outside, that are on the disclosures so buyers are aware of them, and that they are being recorded. We do not watch or listen to people as they are in our house, but we recently had some things out of place and went back and checked our cameras. One of the groups viewing our house let their children have free range in our home. The realtor stayed downstairs, sitting on the arm of our couch, while the family (one of which who had a backpack) walked around our house alone. We don’t have cameras throughout the whole house, so we could not see everything they did, but we did see the kids climbing on our child’s bed and jumping on it. We saw the man with a backpack walk into a room by himself. The kids were grabbing toys, playing with them, and tossing them around, leaving a messy trail wherever they went. Then the realtor left while the clients viewed the outside of our property. I get that people will open closets, cabinets, use the bathroom, etc. and we are fine with that, but is it normal, and more importantly acceptable for people to let their children do the things they did? And for the realtor to leave while their client is still on the property? Maybe I am just easily bothered by these things, but it felt kind of violating. 

[Jennifer Shaw]

Quote from @Abel Curiel:

Quote from @Jennifer Shaw:

My husband and I are selling our house that we are currently still living in. We have security cameras set up inside and outside, that are on the disclosures so buyers are aware of them, and that they are being recorded. We do not watch or listen to people as they are in our house, but we recently had some things out of place and went back and checked our cameras. One of the groups viewing our house let their children have free range in our home. The realtor stayed downstairs, sitting on the arm of our couch, while the family (one of which who had a backpack) walked around our house alone. We don’t have cameras throughout the whole house, so we could not see everything they did, but we did see the kids climbing on our child’s bed and jumping on it. We saw the man with a backpack walk into a room by himself. The kids were grabbing toys, playing with them, and tossing them around, leaving a messy trail wherever they went. Then the realtor left while the clients viewed the outside of our property. I get that people will open closets, cabinets, use the bathroom, etc. and we are fine with that, but is it normal, and more importantly acceptable for people to let their children do the things they did? And for the realtor to leave while their client is still on the property? Maybe I am just easily bothered by these things, but it felt kind of violating. 

Hello Jennifer,

I assume this was a private showing and not an Open House. During Open houses where families roam freely, this is bound to happen unfortunately.

This would be unacceptable if it were a private showing with only one set of buyers and a buyer's agent accompanying them.

I have young children, and if I tell them ten times to keep their hands to themselves, they might still forget and give in to the urge to touch some toys. That is totally normal. However, the parents and/or Realtor should be close enough to prevent things from getting out of hand.

 
I don't anticipate this happening again, but if you feel it might, I'd make sure expectations are set with agents before each showing. You may also want to pack up any valuables and store them away safely (especially for the rooms without cameras) for peace of mind during future showings.

All the best to you on your home sale!

Abel

Hi Abel, 

Thanks so much for your response. Yes, it was a private showing. I have children as well, and I completely understand how things may look appealing to them.  I am even fine with them touching a toy or two, but it was the getting into the bed (with shoes on) and bouncing around and throwing toys is what shocked and bothered me the most. Hopefully is was a one off and won’t happen again. We do have all of our valuables at a different location, and we have depersonalized the home. Thanks again so much for your feedback! 

Jennifer