Dear Urban Diplomat: when an open house visitor is rude, what’s a seller to do?

Dear Urban Diplomat: when an open house visitor is rude, what’s a seller to do?

Dear Urban Diplomat,
I’m selling my condo without a real estate agent, and I recently hosted my first open house. I steeled myself for the onslaught of people who would be traipsing through my home, but I was not prepared for one lookiloo who uttered, “Waaaay overpriced” within earshot of other potential buyers. I almost told her to get the f­— out! What’s a seller to do in this situation?
—Sell-shocked,
YONGE AND EGLINTON

It’s your home and you can ask anyone to leave at any time, but that’s a right best invoked only in extreme cases (theft, vandalism, the use of your bathroom to snort cocaine). As discouraging as her outburst may have been to potential buyers, a confrontation would have left an even worse impression. Next time, make like a real real estate agent and run interference the second she starts blabbing: thrust informational brochures into her hands, point out the expansive balcony or offer a homemade cookie to keep her mouth occupied. Defusing bombs is always better than dropping them.

Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at [email protected].

(Image: picturenarrative, from the Toronto Life Flickr pool)