Property is usually regarded as a serious business, but it can certainly have its light-hearted moments as was shown recently when a US property website asked a number of residential real estate agents what the strangest thing is that they’ve seen at an open house. The responses ranged from funny to downright bizarre:
Michael Signet, executive director of sales at Bond New York Real Estate: When the listing broker invited my client and myself into an open house, showed us around the apartment and when we go to the master bedroom, the seller and his girlfriend were in bed — awake [and] reading the paper [with] no clothes on.
Douglas Heddings, associate broker and founder of the Heddings Property Group at Charles Rutenberg Realty: A drying rack full of panties in a living room, a toilet seat that was taped closed so that open house attendees could not use the facilities…and a spray painted wall saying “monkey nipple” on a teenager’s bedroom wall, which the seller refused to remove.
Leigh Zaph, president of Manhattan Homes: Once I was at a brokers’ open house and we were standing around the fireplace when I saw a photo of my father over the mantelpiece. He’s a shrink so I chose not to ask the owners why. The townhouse actually turned out to be owned by a close colleague of my Dad’s, which I didn’t know it at the time, but I certainly was real surprised to see Dad looking down at me as I was drinking wine with my colleagues.
According to Real Estate Web, local agents also have their fair share of strange encounters:
Lana Holt, Greeff Properties, Cape Town: When I arrived to prepare to put a prime, R5m, property on show, on the Sunday morning, the owners were still partying. I had brought a domestic worker to help clean up, but the owners gave her a whole lot of ironing to do. By quarter-to-two we were still making beds and shoving everything into cupboards and the garage.
Debbie Boyd, Pam Golding Properties Pietermaritzburg: On the first show day, a lady who came in to view got so excited about the property she started kissing the newly-painted dining room walls. She, and her husband, immediately bought the home.
Nelis Bezuidenhout, RealNet Wapadglen, Pretoria: When I asked the maid that opened the door if the Madam was in, she said: “I am the Madam.”
James Thorburn, Cape Realty International: We manage several properties in Camps Bay, and one day I responded to a call from tenants to repair a light in a bedroom. Upon arrival, the handyman and I were directed up to the relevant room, and so walked straight in – on a couple engaged in an afternoon romp! It was the most embarrassing thing ever!
One wonders if any of these agents managed to keep a straight face during these encounters!
