in the house, she was a 50 year old lady who died from a heart attack, she had only been there a few months, we went to look round and all her belongings were still in the house!!! there were pictures up, pots in the sink unwashed, her shoes near the door, her coats hung up. it was still all very personal to her it gave me the creeps knowing she died there too!!my husband thinks im being silly but it has put me off the idea of living there as it felt like we were intruding her property and that she'd come back home any minute!id have thought they would have removed some of her things before showing potential buyers round. should i complain?what does everyone else think?am i stupid for feeling this way??
2007-02-12 07:30:27 · 13 answers · asked by carly 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
When we were house-hunting we had a similar experience - there was still washing in the machine and out-of-date food in the fridge! (Gave us a clue as to when the person popped it!)
I now work in an estate agency and we have a house clearance guy who works closely with us. He goes round to any deceased estate BEFORE we start doing viewings and clears most things away, but especially the personal items. Usually we leave a bit of furniture to give an idea of how you could fit your own furniture in.
2007-02-12 08:59:41 · answer #1 · answered by chip2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The property is probably in probate now. Perhaps the relatives are all out of state and have no knowledge of the condition of the property. Or perhaps no one has found any living relatives to clean up the house. There are many reasons for this situation.
Also how do you know the person showing the property was a real estate agent? He could be an investor that already has control of the property by placing a retainer in escrow and is trying to sell the property as is, to turn a quick profit.
As far as it giving me the creeps, probably but if you made an offer on the property and could pick it up below market value you would be doing yourself a favor.
You are not stupid for feeling the way you do different people feel different. We are all different, there fore what makes me creepy, might not make you feel creepy and what make you feel creepy might not make me feel creepy.
I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.
"FIGHT ON"
2007-02-12 08:18:00 · answer #2 · answered by Skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible the family didn't have time to pack the things away. I understand you feel creepy. I used to be a real estate agent, I always thought it was harder to sell a property that has belongings in it, whether the person passed away or not. It's hard for some people to imagine what the house would look like bare. I don't think you should compalin. I don't think you're stupid, you feel how you feel, but maybe you could ask to see the house again in a couple weeks. I'm sure by then, some of her personal belongings will be packed away.
2007-02-12 07:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The real estate agent should have known better. There is a reason people clean like mad and put things in storage before an open house. The goal is to make the house feel like a home, but just a generic one. They want you to envision your stuff there, not see it as this other family's home. The agent did a great disservice to the client by showing it in that condition. However, there isn't really anyone to complain to. What they did was technically wrong in any way. You could mention it to your agent who may pass along the information, but otherwise I wouldn't say anything.
2007-02-12 07:35:57 · answer #4 · answered by rosekm 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
From a real estate investment standpoint, I would look at this as an opportunity. If her family did not have the time or the inclination to go and collect her things before trying to liquidate the house, they will want to move it fast. Make them a low offer and include all belongings in the house as it stands today. If they are dreading cleaning it out, you could benefit from it. Who knows, you may also find something of value.
2007-02-12 07:48:34 · answer #5 · answered by Insurance Biz CT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe someone showed a property with dirty dishes in the sink, regardless of the circumstances! I would definitely be creeped out and suggest that the agent get the place cleaned up and let me take another look!!!! It wouldn't totally turn me off of the house if it was an awesome property!
2007-02-12 07:35:15 · answer #6 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I can see how that would be a bit freaky. It's up to the woman's next of kin to make the house presentable for sale, although i would have thought that the estate agent ould have mentioned this to them. Yeah, i probably would say something, maybe not a full on complaint, but perhaps mention that if they want to sell it they impersonalise it a bit. On th other hand, if you want it at a lower price then say nothing and make an offer!
2007-02-12 07:36:32 · answer #7 · answered by L D 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They should have at least picked up and done the dishes, but I don't think they needed to remove all her personal items. They might be planning on having an estate sale, where most stuff is sold right out of the house.
2007-02-12 07:57:38 · answer #8 · answered by rinkrat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a relative is staying occassionally to pack stuff. Not a good policy to show in that condition. Offer low, state in contract things are to be removed, paint redecorate, and it would be yours. I have shown homes to people that cannot accept the fact that there has been a death on the premises, inwhich case, I suggest you look for a different home.
2007-02-12 16:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by Pat B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me this sounds totally unprofessional on the part of the vendors & estate agent. I have never heard of anything like this happening. I don't blame you for feeling uneasy. You could perhaps use the situation to your advantage & see if the vendors would lower the price. If you do move into the house you can always have it blessed by whatever Faith you belong to.
2007-02-12 07:46:40 · answer #10 · answered by Caro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋