Santa Ynez Valley June Real Estat Statistics

Real Estate Etiquette-

8 Rules Before the escrow!

Etiquette, it's a funny word really.  If you think about it, it can't be spelled phonetically.  Et-i-cut. It is a word we don't give much thought too, and when we do, we don't apply it to real estate.  In general, many people think about Etiquette as an ideal, something that's nice but not necessary.  

The Merriam-Webster's dictionary definition of Etiquette is "The conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life" first used in 1737. Basically, the behavior you are required or expected to exhibit in public or social situations. It has different requirements depending upon your situation, as well as your location.  

It's a word that, frankly, I think we could use more of.  No, not because you shouldn't wear white after labor day, keep your elbows off the table while eating or always drink tea with your pinky finger out. I mean etiquette in a social sense.  Manners, if you will, do unto others sort of thing.  I think if more people made a conscious effort to put themselves in someone else's shoes more often-the world may be a very different place. . .and so would real estate for that matter.

Many times, I am amazed at someone's inability to consider the situation of someone else or how their actions may be perceived by another person.  This is why I wrote this post-to give people some of the do's and don'ts of real estate etiquette.   You will save your self and your agent some headaches, and may help ease the path to your real estate goals.

Buyer Etiquette-

1. Do not assume that everyone is on your schedule:

I have had many clients call and say: "I want to see X house in an hour".  You may be thinking "if they want to sell, they will accommodate me". However, many times, especially in our area, sellers are elderly, have small children and/or pets and homes aren't always "show ready". They require time to vacate the premises and clean it up some.  In other cases the homes require the listing agent to attend the showing. In this case, you are not only trying to make it work for a you, your agent and the seller, but the other agent too.  It's like trying to herd cats.  Not easy- especially with an hours notice.  Be respectful of everyone's time, plan ahead if you can.  If you can't, don't be nasty when everyone is unable to accommodate you-remember its your belly button, not the center of the universe.

2. Do not take photos without permission:

Sounds strange-I mean, their home is for sale and they have photos plastered all over the internet.  But, those photos have

been carefully planned, orchestrated as part of their agents marketing plan.  Personal photos could have been removed, expensive items hidden from view.  Remember, authentic buyers and sellers aren't the only ones perusing the photos on the internet.  You can never be too careful.  So, ask before you start snapping away and be respectful if the seller or their agent politely decline.  

3. Do not pressure your agent into doing something that they are uncomfortable doing:

Real estate is different in different areas.  The etiquette of one area, may be different from the next and something that may be ok in one place may not be perceived the same way in another.  An example; a while back I had a client who was from a vastly different area than ours.  Her behavior was fine most of the time, but while driving through a neighborhood to look at a home, she pointed to a home with a sign and said "Lets look at that one".  Prior to leaving the office, we had carefully gone over all the properties, made our appointments and this home wasn't one of them.  As a matter of fact, not only did it not fit her criteria, it required 24 notice to show.  So, I politely explained why we weren't seeing it today. She responded with "Just go knock on the door". This not a practice in our area. A little confused, I politely said- "I'm not comfortable knocking on the door, when we already know we can't get in today-as well as it doesn't fit your criteria" She responded with "Well do they want to sell or not?" Having just sold her home I asked "Would you have shown your home to someone who hadn't bothered to make an appointment as clearly stated in the MLS and on the sign?" She said no-and was no longer interested. Needless to say, in the end, we didn't see the home, and she ended up not purchasing in our area completely. But, I did learn, that everyones standards of practice were different and while the someone could have perceived her behavior as rude, she viewed it as a completely normal practice.

4. Reserve your comments for when the seller is not within earshot:

I am all for honesty- ask anyone who knows me, if I'm anything it's honest.  Sometimes blatantly so.  I have a tendency to put my foot in my mouth oftentimes with the best of intentions. That being said, I have managed not to disparage someone's home while they are there.  Not all sellers leave a home when it's being shown.  (Whether this is a good practice will be discussed farther under the Sellers Etiquette) Try and remember that the seller is a person too.  This is their home, the place they raised their kids or their parents home, someplace they are proud of.  So, instead of walking around lamenting "Oh My! What UGLY wall paper! Who would choose THAT color?!?" Try keeping your opinions about their most prized possession to a minimum.  Discuss it later with your agent and others privately.  Both agents and sellers will appreciate it.

Seller Etiquette-

1. Clean up after yourselves:

Your agent is not your maid, house cleaning is not a service we provide and we do not want to clean your home prior to every showing-(heck I don't want to clean my own!) Remember your home is one of many that the buyers will be viewing, and while having a home that is memorable will help you stand out from the pack, make sure it's memorable for the right reasons.  Don't leave underwear on the floor or last nights dinner in the sink.  While many buyers can look beyond the messiness, it will get them to wondering what else you haven't taken care of.  Sprouting those seeds of doubt and potentially driving buyers elsewhere or making them scrutinize everything during escrow.

2. PLEASE LEAVE DURING SHOWINGS . . . if you can:  

I know all sellers want to hear what buyers are going to say about their home, what they wouldn't do to be the fly on the wall.  But, please, for the love of Pete-find somewhere to go. Go for a walk, take a scenic drive, sit in your car in the driveway.  I don't really care, but get out. I realize some people may not be able to leave, disabled persons, the elderly or people with small children for instance.  In this case by all means stick around.  But if you are capable, go. While you want to stay and hear what buyers say-keep in mind-it makes many buyers uncomfortable.  Not only would they not say much, those who do say things, aren't going to say what you want to hear. . .

3. Make your home as accessible as possible:

I know, you are busy-and selling a home is very stressful. Your agent is aware of this and tries their best to minimize your stress.  However, just like #1 of the Buyers Etiquette, please be aware that a buyers time is valuable too.  It is understandable to make your home available between certain hours, or only certain days. But, please, please, if you are going to restrict showing hours and times, please do not deny a showing when someone is able to meet your timeframe.  Buyers too have busy schedules, and many work Monday-Friday 9-5, some can only see homes on weekends or after hours.  Remember, if you restrict the viewing of your home too much, people will just pass on it, to view one that someone will let them into. And even if they do accommodate you, if you have made them jump through hoops to see it, they may view you as difficult and may not want to write an offer.

4. Please take your pets with you or put them outside:

I love dogs.  We had one for many years.  He was the best.  Fluffy, loving and tons of personality.  He was our furry kid before we had kids.  Many people's pets are an extension of their family.  They treat them just as they would their own children.  But, while I love dogs and cats, many people do not.  Many people are allergic, some have a fear of animals and some cultures are not pet friendly.  Some pets are friendly toward everyone others not so much.  They are a sales hazard for agents, and can be a down right fiasco.  Nearly every agent has a pet story.  The one that got out, the one that got in, the one that bit someone (I got bit by a pig once!).  There are tons.  And don't get me started on odors.  Have you seen the Febreze commercials about being "nose blind".  You may hate me-but I'm here to tell you, if you have a pet at your home, I can tell when you open the door, sometimes before.  If I can smell it-so can buyers. This will be a major factor for a buyer.   Not just the viewing-but in a potential offer. If a buyer thinks they are going to have to replace 2,400 square feet of

It's called "FUR-niture" right??

carpeting before moving in-this will be reflected in an offer-whether you smell it or not. AND before you say it! DON'T go out and buy the plug ins with smells and scents-they don't mask odors, no matter what they say. They just add to it. Instead of being just a pet smell-now you have pet and overbearing elderberry-or whatever.  Not appealing. So when prepping your home fore sale-as well as when you are showing the home-find your loving friend a place to go. Preferably with you . . . on a walk (see #2 above), a kennel or with a friend.  It will pay off for you and your fuzzy kid in the end.


There are many more rules of etiquette for real estate transactions (for Agents too!).  They will have to wait for another post.