Being a Realtor, I’m privy to seeing many people’s homes and condo units. Unfortunately, they’re not always in ‘showroom’ condition. And sometimes, they are just down right scary experiences.
I figured I’d update my followers every so often, of the many perils that I encounter during my showings or inspections. Let these be lessons on what never to do if you’re selling your home . Here are three relatively recent experiences that I experienced with different clients, that had me shaking my head.
#3 – The Fornicating Crack-Smokers
Ah Rexdale, you never fail to disappoint. Home to the largest collection of illegal basement apartments in the City, and campaign HQ for our disgraced Mayor. And it was in one of these illegal bunkers where I experienced number 3 on this list.
Walking down to the basement apartment, my clients and I could hear there were Tenants inside. We knocked….nothing. The door was slightly open, so I loudly announced we were about to enter, and so we did.
To our surprise (and theirs), we walked into a crack smoke-a-thon. There were 3 people. A younger guy around my age, and two older women…yet only one small bedroom. Then came the bomb from the young guy, “Sorry guys, we were just about to wash the sheets in the bedroom.”
I popped my head in to the bedroom to take a quick peek. To this day, I’m still not sure why. Gross, gross, gross!
We almost called the HAZMAT team. And I think we’ll pass. Nice meeting you though!
#2 – The Reptilian Pond
For this one we had to travel to the lovely Port Credit area. I love this neighbourhood, but I have been told it’s home to many different types of exotic animals, or pets as some may call them.
Upon entering the basement of this home, my clients and I found an oddly (and illegally) constructed room in the basement. It was dark, had about a foot of water, and a large array of big rocks scattered throughout. The worst part though, was the smell. It was more than just a moldy cesspool smell.
We stood there for awhile trying to figure out what we were looking at. Surely we knew this had to be built for some type of animal…but what!? Too large of a room to be for a small animal or reptile, we knew something much larger had resided in this room. A large snake? An alligator?
Then we realized we couldn’t see through the dark water, and quickly made haste. Again….pass!
#1 – The Stoic Baby
For numero uno, we head to a condo unit in downtown Toronto.
Whenever you enter a place for a showing, it’s customary to knock first and announce yourself before fully opening the door. I did so….no response. Coast is clear, right!?
Wrong.
As soon as we entered and turned the corner, there was a little Asian girl (who couldn’t have been more than 18 months) sitting in a high-chair. We announced ourselves again hoping a parent would quickly appear…but no such luck.
The little girl just sat there looking right at us. No facial expressions, no sounds…nothing. A poker face that even Phil Helmuth could appreciate!
But now we were faced with a conundrum. Do we go back outside because it’s inappropriate to waltz around with no adult supervision? Or do we stay because something could happen to this baby and nobody would be there to help?
Thankfully, while we were discussing, the mother came through the front door with a shocked look on her face. We had a disapproving look on ours, and she got the point. She quickly apologized and explained she was just down the hall grabbing something from one of her friend’s unit.
Crisis averted. Again it was a pass, but what a well mannered little baby!