I was just reflecting on the unusual things I’ve seen bringing buyers to homes as a real estate agent. I’m sure most agents have experienced the same sorts of things. An occasional home with a bug infestation, pet accident problem or an unlocked door are not complete shocks when they happen. So what is shocking?

  • I’ve seen in plain view: underwear, bullets, adult products and cash.
  • I showed a home with no indoor plumbing only a three stall outhouse in the side yard. (No buyer interest).
  • Empty beer cans in a pile as big as a riding mower.
  • Neighbors coming up to us explaining the numerous reasons why my buyers should NOT buy the house they were about to look at.
  • Sleeping adults in their rooms with no warning from the person who let us in the house.
  • Home owner singing in the shower when I entered the home with buyers and they refused to acknowledge my yell of “Hello… Anyone home?” So we backed out slowly and left. We did have an appointment.
  • Another home that I backed out of slowly with buyers was a home in Alexandria. After entering we all smelled a strong odor that we couldn’t identify. My best guess was a pesticide of some kind. As we started walking through the home, I heard a hiss coming from the kitchen. The gas stove was leaking gas into the house. I know what gas smells like but I guess we couldn’t identify the smell because it was so incredibly thick. We tip toed out of the home nervously turning the door knob afraid of causing ANY sort of spark. After the buyers were out I went in briefly and opened a couple of windows (older house, all wood) and then called the listing agent to immediately contact the gas company and deal with the problem.
  • Several instances of smells and/or drug paraphernalia including pipes, visible bongs (I mean water pipes) or actual  second hand smoke wafting through the air.
  • Huge graphic, nude, crayon drawings on interior walls with buyers in tow (very embarrassing).
Every once in awhile I’ll work with a new person and they’ll say, “I bet you’ve seen some pretty strange things in your business” and I guess they’re right.