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 urbandiplomat@torontolife.com.
(Image: picturenarrative, from the Toronto Life Flickr pool)
