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Buyer's agent in house without permission

Profile picture for worldwideweberdesign
Contributions: 40
I was wondering if buyer's agents are allowed to do this...

We had a buyer's agent show our house. He or the person he showed it to messed with our TV, Receiver, and our PlayStation 3. They didn't know how to work the system, and they left everything on. We were out of town, and the stuff was left on for three days. They also left all the lights on.

We have in our MLS listing that they have to call prior to the showing. We have a 125 pound lab that needs to relocate to the neighbors house prior to any showing. It isn't a 24 call out. I don't care if they call when they drive into the neighborhood, just give me time to run the dog across the street and leave the house. We do have a lockbox on the house, and we have a realtor.

So we left town again, and we have a neighbor taking care of the dog. The same realtor called for a showing, but when I picked up the phone he hung up on me. A half hour later, another call and hang up. This time I called him back to ask what he wanted. He said he wanted to see the house. It was 5:30. I asked when and he said 5:00. I told him that it was already 5:30 and asked if he still wanted to see it. He said he was in my house! He said the cleaning lady let him in. Then he hung up on me.

My cleaning people come on a different day, so I called the neighbor and she said she was in my house feeding the dog, and the guy unlocked the door with the keybox and let himself in.

So here is my question. Can he just come in my house whenever he feels like it without permission? He scared my neighbor half to death by unlocking the door and walking in. He didn't even ring the doorbell. I realize if I make an issue out of it, it could make anyone scared to show the house, but the guy is rude, a liar, and very disrespectful of my house. I didn't even want the guy in my house without my agent present.
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August 27 2007 - US

Replies (66)

Profile picture for Carrie R
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Carrie R

Port Republic, Maryland

Contributions: 7102
You should make a BIG issue of it. He cant just mosy on in whenever he feels like. I would be calling his broker IMMEDIATELY! Where were his buyers?
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for Marci Reinheimer
Maybe you should keep the lockbox inside when you are out of town and have instructions to call your listing agent. It is extremely rude when agents don't follow the instructions in the MLS, but if they have a key, they can get in the lockbox.
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August 27 2007
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Carrie R

Port Republic, Maryland

Contributions: 7102
Marci, doesnt that behavior seem a bit fishy?

Why the hell would he just help himself inside the house and not even have anyone with him?
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August 27 2007
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mpal

Norwalk, ct

Contributions: 10193
That would freak me out!!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for Marci Reinheimer
It seems A LOT fishy to me. I have no clue why they would even turn the tv on. I agree, he should call the agent's broker.
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August 27 2007
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mpal

Norwalk, ct

Contributions: 10193
I don't have a lock box because of my dog, they HAVE to call to show my house, and I haven't had any complaints about it!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for ghennis00
Contributions: 2463
I'd find him and introduce him to my loiusville slugger...
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August 27 2007
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mpal

Norwalk, ct

Contributions: 10193
LOL ghennis!!!!!!!!!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for worldwideweberdesign
Contributions: 40
He told my neighbor whom he thought was the cleaning lady that he was checking something out for his prospective buyer.

They also offered on the house. 85% of asking price and 10 day closing.

My realtor said the Buyer's Agent has a reputation of getting business by promising that he can get you a house at 10-15% BELOW market. He basically has them make a list of all the houses that the person could stand to live in - about 10-15 of them. Then he goes down the list making lowball offers. He gave us 3 hours to resond to an offer that was less than we paid for it new 4 years ago. We've finished another 1500 square feet and added another bathroom and gas fireplace since then. Anyway he goes down the list doing high pressure sales pitch. My realtor didn't answer his phone on Sunday, so he called me and told me if I wanted to sell I had to move without him. We countered and said that it was our final offer. So they moved down the list to the next person.

I know he's shady. I don't know if he's bound by any code of ethics as far as entering a home without permission.

We've only been on the market two weeks. This was only our second showing. I'm kind of scared of the future. We decided to use a realtor to protect us. So far it's been kind of scary. If I was doing a FSBO, I'd be present for the showing.
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August 27 2007
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mpal

Norwalk, ct

Contributions: 10193
You definately need to make a complaint about this guy!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for worldwideweberdesign
Contributions: 40
Also, when I called my realtor to tell him what happened, he said the offer was faxed to his office, but he was never called to let him know there was an offer. Evidently this buyer's agent thought he should be sitting there on a Sunday afternoon waiting for the offers to come rolling in. The buyer's agent told us he tried calling our realtor, but he didn't. I think perhaps that is part of his tactics. Take advantage of our lack of knowledge.
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for Marci Reinheimer
If you are feeling uncomfortable, have your agent take off the lockbox and put it in your house. When you get a call for a showing, you can put it out. This guy needs to be reported for sure. It is your house and he was trespassing. Have your agent call the guys broker.
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August 27 2007
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Carrie R

Port Republic, Maryland

Contributions: 7102
I think perhaps that is part of his tactics. Take advantage of our lack of knowledge.

I think you are right about that. I would def. let this guys broker know he entered your house without permission. Also, hopefully nothing like that will happen with other agents.

I don't even work in my brokers office. I am only there to turn things in and pick things up. I work strictly out of my home office. I wouldnt have known there was an offer either without a phone call from the agent.
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for robin398
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No buyer's agent is allowed in your home without your permission. If you are represented by a realtor he should make the appointments through their office. I would definitely make a complaint to the local board of realtors and make a complaint about him. He is trespassing.
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for klarek the realist
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Wow. That's really disturbing. I shouldn't complain, seeing as I've had 4 showings in the last 3 days which is great in a dead market, but I had an agent walk in yesterday and it kind of ticked me off. Nothing compared to the story above, but the lady didn't call or even knock. Of course, I snapped at her, so who knows what I'd do if they started sneaking in, low-balling me, and messing with my home theater system.
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for Marci Reinheimer
I really don't understand the audacity of these agents!!! These are people's homes. I certainly wouldn't want someone barging in my house without knocking or calling.
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August 27 2007
(sigh) what a pity you are missing that Hope Diamond you had hidden in the dresser. Hope he's insured!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for higginsokc
that would scare the crap out of me since I"m usually home all day. I'm anal about my doors being locked and someone just unlocking my door without having prior knowledge of it would really freak me out and make me so mad!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for robin398
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You can change your lockbox code. Also, in New York we have a modifications clause that states that if you don't like an agent you can include that in your listing contract and then he wouldn't be allowed in your home. You don't need his business. I am sure there are plenty of agents out there who will get the job done.
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for dnesemeier
Real Estate Agent
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This is a pretty serious thing. DRIVE to the broker's office and sit down with him to demand an explanation and an apology in writing. A phone call isn't enough.
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August 27 2007
This guy is fishy, I am positive his way of being is part of his strategy but I would take a hard look around if I were you and see if something is missing. I have had things stolen out of houses by agents before (sad, sad,sad). You have to contact your agent, and he should contact the agents broker. You can also submit a formal complaint with the board of realtors, I wouldn't hesitate!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for lucydjacobs
Contributions: 1271
It's weird that he or his clients messed with your home theatre system, unless leaving it was part of the deal. Or did they had a 10-year-old kid who could not resist messing with then thing when left on his or her own while parents traipsed through the house?

If he didn't know you were out of town, then maybe he planned not to show the house, but to ask you about some point he didn't remember,. such as if you had an attic or whatever, rang the bell, no one answered, so he went in.

Maybe nothing serious like trying to scope out your medicine cabinet or anything, but it was kind of weird.
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August 27 2007
Call up the agent directly and tell him that he'd better call first next time because you almost pulled a Dick Cheney on him. Explain the shotguns are very dangerous and that's you hate to see anyone get hurt because they weren't following the proper rules of showing etiquette. If he does it again, get a restraining order and complain to the realtor board. Hopefully, that will kill of his client base and get his attention.
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for pamelacampbell
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NO Realtor should ever enter a home vacant or occupied without knocking! Yelling! Something!
I would complain to your agent, your agents broker, the showing agents broker, the local mls, realtor association and even the news paper.
I am a Realtor and I had another agent just walk in to one of my listings. I called his broker, told my broker, turned that agent into the MLS and Realtor Association.
My seller collects guns so I was surprised that the other agent did not get a face full.
Put your lock box inside your house and only bring it out when an agent has an appointment.

Good Luck Selling Your Home!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for pinksandbaby
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That sounds MAJOR sketchy! Ewww! I agree, no lockbox when you're out of town! And if you keep having issues, I'd make your listing agent be at every showing!
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August 27 2007
Profile picture for evaughn
I'd want to beat this guys azz! Follow the good advice of the others. Lock box inside, broker and your agent. Do all three. Make this guy pay.
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August 27 2007
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Carrie R

Port Republic, Maryland

Contributions: 7102
I wouldnt risk losing a showing from one guys bad actions. I say report him, but do not keep the lockbox in the house.

Seriously most agents would never do such a thing.

Do you have an alarm? You could turn that on and it would require an agent to retrieve the alarm code from either your brokers office or showing service.
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August 28 2007
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Carrie R

Port Republic, Maryland

Contributions: 7102
I guess that is one good thing about my associations new electronic lock boxes. If you use your "key" it is recorded exactly what agent and what time they entered the house. Also, it wont open certain times of the day if programmed to do so. I wonder if it could be programmed to bar certain access keys as well.
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August 28 2007
Profile picture for worldwideweberdesign
Contributions: 40
We have the electronic kind that they wave a card or something in front of it. He knew I wasn't home because he called the home phone. What he didn't know is that the home phone was being forwarded to my cell phone. He hung up the phone before the voicemail came on because he didn't want to leave a message.

My realtor said that there could be a backlash against selling the house if I complain. RE/MAX is a huge office, so word would probably get out.

Also, my realtor said he really hates the guy. He's gotten a lot of low ball offers for other clients of his from this buyer's agent. But he says if you hold firm and refuse to give in, he won't be back, because he only wants to work with people who are desperate to sell at 15% below an already deflated market.

And no, my house isn't overpriced. I read the boards here. I know that the main reason houses don't sell is price. I told my agent I don't want to overprice it. He loves the price it's at.
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August 28 2007
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mpal

Norwalk, ct

Contributions: 10193
I can't believe your agent said that to you. So, some guy busting into your house, messing around with your electronics is Ok? Do you think if this guy does this again that he has any concern for your dogs safety? Remax is a huge office, but I bet there are plenty of agents there that are wishing someone would make a complaint about this guy! Worldwide, you do what ever you feel comfortable with, but I would make sure this guy knew that I was unhappy and I wouldn't allow him to show my house again, sounds like he isn't going to bring you your buyer anyway!
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August 28 2007

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