(I didn't provide a link to the post because it is a members only blog and that wouldn't be right, but it is a featured blog right now so you can easily find it)
Well I just read a blog from another active rain blogger who wrote a post about how some children should not come with parents to look at homes as they are a distraction and oftentimes a safety hazard or possible liability (break something).
While I totally agree that children should be watched by their parents I also do not see the issue with the real estate agent assisting in the entertaining of the child(ren). On many occasions I have had children in my car, or their parent's car along with showings.
While I will draw the line at changing diapers (yes, seriously nearly asked once); I have no issue to keeping little Sally or Tommy involved and out of trouble. I have allowed kids to color while in my car, listen to their favorite music, stop for snacks/potty breaks, open lockboxes, etc.
Of course I can still answer any questions my buyers my have. Usually buyers can look through a house themselves. I've already told them the high points of the house. Obviously you keep an eye on the buyers too - they shouldn't be wandering alone either in some cases just in case.
They shouldn't have to be bothered with hiring a babysitter. They shouldn't exclude their children in the process, in my opinion. And if they do decide to exclude their children in their home buying process then I believe that that is THEIR decision and NOT their real estate agents.
Moving is a family event in my eyes. Involving them will make the entire transition smoother for all involved.
While I definitely believe that there are extreme cases of bad parents and possible bad kids, I think that overall having the entire family along for the trip is a good idea.
Besides, if you are in line with your ideal client/customer then I'm sure you'll enjoy their whole family.
If you are attracting customers who have rotten kids or customers who don't involve their children at all then maybe that isn't the right customer to attract. On the contrary, if you truly hate children then don't send out the thoughts to attract families. Focus on YOUR ideal client.
In conclusion, I was truly amazed at the number of real estate agents who commented on the other blog about their ‘awful' experience with children on showings and just the general distaste of children in general.
I just can't imagine the person who cannot see the good in children. But that's a personal choice I suppose. Just be clearer on the type of customer that makes a good customer for you and the ‘wrong' customers just won't be attracted to you.
Yours in Success,
Susan Milner
P.S. All of our SW Florida real estate agents are happy to assist you and your entire family, or lack thereof, in your home search.
Search Cape Coral Real Estate now.
Copyright 2008
Florida Future Realty, Inc.
Yours in Success,
Susan Milner
Florida Future Realty, Inc
http://www.YouTube.com/FloridaFuture
(239) 542-8521
Susan@SusanMilner.com
We also handle Cape Coral Short Sales......
copyright 2008-2012 Susan Milner of Florida Future Realty Inc
I agree that children should be included in a home purchase afterall they will be living in the house too -but they should be included in the final stages. Maybe the final 3 homes on a list...and include them in the decision. Children tend to have wonderful insight but when you have so much inventory the process can be very tiring especially for little ones.
Susan, I agree kids should come. Doesn't everyone remember house shopping with their parents and picking out their own room. I do, however, have to say while most children are great, there are those that test their parents and put their hands on everything that they should not. I have always thought I needed to have a talk with those parents and not the children.
I enjoy children very much... I used to be a preschool teacher. I think on the house hunting part that children can be included and I don't mind being their distraction while parents look. BUT when it comes to the actual paperwork part they can sometime be such a distraction that I feel that the parents aren't clearly understanding what they are signing. So I think a baby sitter at that time can be a real plus!
All the Best!
Kathy Fisher
I have had parents bring the kids to see the NEW house once the PARENTS have decided that it is the one that THEY want to buy. For the most part.... most kids stay around where they should be. If they wander, I tell them that we need to stay together.. and most parents understand that.
Here's just a couple of problems which arise when people bring children that they won't or can't discipline, one for me, and one for the clients:
1) If I was a guy REALTOR® they probably wouldn't expect me to babysit (tell me if I'm wrong here, fellows);
2) Junior makes a big problem, howling and shouting, locks himself in the expensive and potentially dangerous master bath and the parents are embarrassed and flustered and leave. No sale.
And I should do what, in that circumstance? I am helpless.
Why should unruly children come along? And who will decide that they are well-behaved to come along? I've had to pay for bent screen doors and broken items because the buyers wouldn't watch their kids.
But, I never tell people not to bring their children - I used to bring crayons and coloring books, and I love kids - I have FIVE of my own, no twins :).
However, now I suggest that 'many of my clients use a sitter when they are looking'. It works.
Yeah good luck telling your buyer to get rid of their kids so you can make a sale. But yes you have to watch them especially when in homes.
I too think that they should be included - but at the end - most kids don't like shopping of any kind let alone house hunting. I don't tell my clients whether they should bring their kids or not - luckily most know that its not fair to haul them in and out ot the car for hours at a time.
Susan: interesting point of view.Thanks for sharing.Children have an uncanny way of telling the truth so yes they should be included.
I welcome most children into the process. I always have a stack of DVD's for them to watch in the car while we are going from house to house. I also keep a small cooler in the car with Juice Boxes and such, The Parents Love it.
I agree 100%. Heck, my daughter actually picked our home out. She helped me decide between two homes and the one with the stairs won because she wanted to slide down them on a sled.
I cannot say anything about clients brining children since I am often in a position to bring my own. Very few of my clients have children ( which is strange considering my life) but those that did always brought them when ever they wanted to. If I knew they had kids I brought along the ones I had closest in age.....then they would play together and we were fine. Yes some times they were loud and that made it hard, but I would have really offended some by asking them not to bring the kids, in some cases they would not have been able to shop at all since they were new to the area with no childcare yet. I have brought a teen aged sitter along when we are on a long shopping trip, complete with toys. I do try to do consults with our kids since it is hard for me to concentrate and them too, but if need be I can do that with the kids there too. If that is the case I try to do the consultation in their home.
Liz, I think after seeing all of the inventory I'd be tired too. Seeing just the best ones is sufficient.
Audrey, Yes. Exactly. I believe it comes back to the parents.
Kathy, I agree. When you are going over legal documents it is best for the children to be occupied with some toys or something in another room.
Laura, I still think that kids should be involved. We obviously know that the final decision is the parents but where is the harm in allowing the children to feel like they have a say also?
Dawn, 1) I think many male agents are capable of entertaining a child. That is a strange and sexist comment to me. 2) I can't imagine attracting that absurd type of customer
Ross, I agree, I'd find it extremely rude if someone said that to me.
David, If the customer wants to see 100 homes I agree. But most people are looking at 3-5 homes on a trip - kids can handle that. If they can't then it is up to the parent to make that call, not the agent imo.
Lloyd, I like kids, what can I say?
Jay, Being prepared makes all of the difference in the world.
Cathleen, Thank you. My son saw our house before I put in the offer as well.
Anna,you slipped in there on me. You have a great take on this. I too would be so offended if an agent told me to come with out my son. Buying a home is no doubt a 'family event' if that is what the family chooses. And if the parents choose not to include their children that is THEIR prerogative.
I think you are taking my comments in the wrong way. Are you saying I attract strange clients? What an odd thing to propose. The one child didn't see the screen door and ran through it. The other children were playing and knocked over a knick knack. Perhaps you haven't worked with very many clients in your experience.
As for the sexist comment, I am saying it is a sexist thing directed toward me, not me toward the guys - my male counterparts are almost NEVER expected to sit children, but I will be, because I am a motherly type.
I don't tell people not to bring their kids for showings and I love children. I can't believe you are suggesting that agents who don't want children at showings don't like children. Ridiculous.
I guess there is no room for discussion or different opinions on your post - that's fine. I just don't appreciate being painted as having weird clients. Is that what you meant?
Dawn, I encourage the debate. Hence, my response to you. You obviously did not like my response. Yes, I do believe that we attract into our lives what we want. I also believe that our expectations and responses to such events are also going to change reality.
And I also believe that is YOUR perception of reality in regards to the woman vs. man and children on appointments. It is ok that I do not agree with you on this. You are only speaking from your experience, and I am writing from mine. Every person has a different life experience.
I'm not even going to respond to the comment you made in regards to how many customers I have worked with. I find that very uncalled for and I need not show you my closing sheet. I also don't recall me saying that your clients were weird. I think that that behavior you mentioned is absurd.
It wasn't that I didn't like your response. It was insulting. So what type of clients are you saying I attract? Just to be clear.
What behavior are you saying is absurd? I'm definitely not clear on what you are referring to.
Anyway, I don't think we are going to agree on any of this, so we don't have to take it any further. And that's fine. Thanks for commenting back. You have very strong opinions and you are completely entitled to them - I was insulted, but I'm sure that wasn't your intent.
Take care.
Several years ago and employee and I did an inspection the week after Thanksgiving. Mom and dad brought their three young children. I think the oldest was named Jason, about 10. Halfway through the inspection I saw the kids running around in the yard playing hide-and-seek but saw no parents anywhere. I asked Jason where his parents were, and he said that they had gone Christmas shopping and told the three kids to stay there and play. Huh? Can you imagine leaving your three children with two strange men that you only met for the first time that day and spent maybe 10 minutes with? Imagine if those same children had said that either of us had done something inappropriate. I was not a happy camper. Nonetheless, I decided not to call the police and instead let them go on playing. Their parents were not back when we finished the inspection, so we played some with them. Here's what the kids did to me:
We kept the three kids occupied, or they kept us occupied, for about thirty minutes before the parents returned. They didn't say anything, and neither did I. We just went over things and everyone left.
The next day, when I dropped the reports off at the Realtor's office (that was back when I was still doing printed reports), there was an envelope waiting for me. Inside the envelope was a check for $100 and a nice little note: "Thank you for entertaining the kids. They really liked you."
Still no apology, though, for their thoughtlessness in leaving three young children with two strange men.
Russel,
That is insane. Good to know that nothing bad happened though.
Susan - in 20+ years I've only had one child that I couldn't handle and I did tell the mother that we could only go out if she had a babysitter. Other than that - no problems. I even had one buyer whose daughter was so cute I thought of hiring her to come on showings so that we could negotiate better!
Sharon, thank you for your comment. I cannot imagine being told right up front that my child was not welcomed. I could see in extreme cases not wanting a child to go along, but as you pointed out, in over 20 years that has only happened once to you :)
Wow! I didn't realize that this was such a controversial issue. We often entertain children in our office....I have a toy box that they love to visit! I feel a big part of my job is to make my clients comfortable about such a big decision and this includes the children.