Home Buyer Etiquette

I met with a seller this week who was upset.  Not with me, but with a family that had viewed their home with the kids in tow.  Apparently, during the showing no one was watching the 4 year old as she darted from room to room, touching and moving things all along the way.  The owners were forced into the role of babysitter to protect their belongings from sticky little fingers because neither the parents nor the agent was paying attention.

Unfortunately, this happens all too often.

Before you begin your New Orleans home search, remember your home buyer etiquette. Here are a few dos and don’ts to remember when visiting someone’s home.

DO

Try to schedule appointments ahead of time.  “Honey, stop the car!” usually doesn’t work.  As a matter of fact, I counsel all of my sellers to turn away people who just show up at the door, instructing them to call and schedule an appointment at a time that works for everyone.

Take off your shoes if they are wet or muddy.  I’ve been on the receiving end of the wrath of an owner who came home to mud tracked all across their freshly cleaned carpets.  If your shoes are wet or dirty, please take a moment and remove them before entering someone’s home, just as you would want them to do in yours.

Remember that you are a guest in someone’s home and respect their belongings. While they may have the most beautiful collection of ______ (whatever it is that caught your eye), take a look but don’t touch approach when touring.

Keep an eye on the kids.  Better yet, leave them at home if possible.  House hunting is pretty boring when you are a child and the temptation to play with toys or explore a new space is almost more than they can resist.

DON’T

Make yourself at home on the furniture.  It’s not included in the sale and some owners are funny about strangers coming in and lounging on the sofa that they painstakingly fluffed the pillows on before your visit.

Eat or drink while touring a home.  Leave the food and drinks in the car.  Spills happen and I really, really don’t want to be the one calling your agent to tell them they owe me for having the carpet or upholstery cleaned due to an accident.

Bring your pets with you to a showing.  If you can’t possibly travel without Fifi, please be prepared to leave her in the car while you look.  Not everyone is a pet lover and some folks are highly allergic to the hair and dander that is left behind.

Use the bathroom facilities without permission.  In some vacant homes, not all of the utilities may be on and the time to find that out that there is no running water is not after someone has already taken a potty break.

Remembering your manners and adhering to home buyer etiquette makes those long days of house hunting easier for everyone. Ready to go tour some places? Call us today at 504-327-5303. 

Check out our HOME BUYING GUIDE for more advice.