Share your memorable open house experiences
For some comic relief in what can be a frustrating experience.
It’s that time of year. Buyers and sellers are gearing up to either tour or display their homes, and agents and brokers are running from home to home for showings. Boston.com is looking for memorable open house experiences and stories (disasters or successes) from agents, buyers, and sellers. We are taking submissions from now until the end of October, and we will showcase on our site the best stories and insight (along with some comic relief).
The responses so far:
“I like animals well enough but not at open houses. At best, pets are distracting. Buyers leave an open house where the family dog is gentle, obedient and sweet and all they remember about the house is the dog. At worst, buyers run from the house in fear, sneezing with allergies, holding their noses. I’ve seen talking birds screeching obscenities at guests, cats slinking around ankles and darting for the door. I’ve also seen dead mice still in their traps, bats in the attics and ant traps set all over kitchen counters…just not very appealing or conducive to selling the house.’’ — Debi Benoit, broker at Benoit Mizner Simo & Co. Real Estate
“This little tip is not so funny. In all my years of holding open houses, I have never had to deal with robbery but recently we have experienced an issue regarding prescription drugs. I always tell my sellers to clear their medicine cabinets and bedside tables of any and all pain killers or anything that might tempt an addict. It is very rare but it can happen.’’ — Debi Benoit, broker at Benoit Mizner Simo & Co. Real Estate
“I went to an Open House where the agent was drinking beer and watching the Patriots game. I’m a Pats fan, but that seems out of line for the occasion.’’ —No Beer at the Open House, Somerville.
“I went to an open house in Boston. The condo was at that time occupied by tenants. One of the tenants refused to leave and sat in her bed with her cat. It was very strange. Also her bathroom was disgusting.’’ —C SD, Boston.
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