The Worst Showing of My Life

One of the fun parts of selling real estate is showing houses to prospective buyers.  There are all kinds of houses and sellers out there, so you never really know what you are going to get when you enter a home.  Some homes are simply picture perfect while others may just stink or be candidates for the show Hoarders on A&E.

Every agent has a story of the worst, weirdest or funniest thing that has ever happened to them.  Scott once had a teenage boy hiding in the dark crawl space in the basement (creepy!).  I had carbon monoxide detectors go off during a showing and even though we high-tailed it out immediately, my buyer’s young sons felt a little dizzy in the driveway (scary!).  Gina thought she found a dead body in a bed once, but it turned out to be pillows under the covers (weird!).

I have one showing that sticks out in my mind as the absolute WORST showing ever.  Let’s just start by saying, the sellers had a DOG.

Before the buyers and I arrived to look at this house, I had been warned in the showing instructions that there was a “friendly” dog in the house and to be sure NOT to let the dog out.

As soon as we entered, the dog (a rather large one) came barreling at us and jump up on me to say hello.  So excited for attention, the dog started to sprinkle a little on me and the floor.  “DOWN!” was my reaction, but the dog kept sprinkling on the floor.  I decided to cease contact with the dog and went off to look for paper towels and some cleaner to wipe up the mess.

Pants blotted, floor cleaned, composure regained, I continued with the showing.  The happy dog proceeded to follow us about the house.  Upstairs in the master bedroom, the dog decided to roll on its back right at my feet giving me the big puppy dog eyes. 

Without thinking (I am blonde), I leaned down and gave the dog a little scratch on the belly… BIG mistake.  The dog got so excited he unleashed a fountain of urine that managed to soak my blouse, pants and shoes.  AAARGH!!!  Off to find the cleaning supplies… again.

You would think the story would end there, but while I was in the bathroom addressing the dog’s latest infraction, one of the buyers opened the front door.  BAM – out the door ran the dog.

While my initial reaction was good riddance, the buyers and I went after the dog to try to get him back in the house.  It was pouring rain, the yard was muddy and the dog was having a grand old time of playing, “Catch me if you can.” 

It took almost 20 minutes before the buyers and I corralled the dog to a place where the husband was able to grab his collar and haul him back in the house.  Slam the door, lock up, we were DONE with this showing.

The buyers were a very good natured couple and we did manage to see the humor in the situation even at the time with many references to Marley and Me, America’s Funniest Home Videos, and Candid Camera even though we were soaked, had muddy shoes and everyone was anxious to just go home, shower up, and call it a night.

The buyers didn’t buy the house.  In fact, none of us could remember a thing about the house afterward except for the DOG.

Yep, worst showing EVER.

If YOU would like to see some homes, contact Lisa Loper at (215) 256-1200 ext. 212 or Lisa@ScottLoperTeam.com.