This is how you get shot

[JoshDavis]

Had an appointment this morning for an inspection. Went to the house, range the doorbell (didn't hear it) and knocked on the door, no answer. Listing agent had told me the owner may be home. Used the lock box and find the owner sitting on the couch asking who the hell I am. She thought I was someone selling something and didn't want to deal with it.

Turns out the listing agent never told the owner the appraiser was coming today. Luckily I didn't walk into a bedroom while they were sleeping and they had an itchy trigger finger.

The owner reamed the listing agent while I was there and I did too when I got home.

 

[Digger88]

i have actually walked into a bedroom twice with people sleeping. took my pics and crept back out. dumb azz agents.

 

[chad hampton]

Fairly dumb homeowner too if you ask me. There is a lockbox on the front door, they should assume people may be stopping by.

People are fairly stupid for the most part. How about they answer their door? Sort of like people you call, they don't answer, then 10 seconds later your phone rings with their number. YOu pick up and all they say is "you just called me, who are you?". I always respond, no, you just called me, my phone rang and I picked it up. WHo the hell are you?

 

[stangtime]

Yikes. I go in really loud when there is a lock box. After opening the door I announce loudly that I am the appraiser and am here for the inspection. Glad you're okay. Scary.

Dan

 

[Renee Healion]

Agent showed me a house where it turned out the long haul trucker was back home and passed out with some naked dancer on the bed. Agent nearly keeled over. Hey, I got work to do, no biggee. But I would not have been happy in the OP's situation at all.

 

[MikeinLA]

Doesn't apply to your situation, but I always send the Realtor through the door first and also send them into the backyard first after they've told me the dog is "friendly". I figure they're expendable.

 

[stangtime]

Had a lock box inspection a couple weeks ago where, when I walked up to the door, a huge black lab was growling at me on the other side. I went to the car and called the agent. "Oh he won't bite..." Pass.

(As it turned out when I was starting to drive away the owner showed up to get something out of the house - so I followed him in and all was fine. But I no longer take chances with dogs. It's their turf.)

Dan

 

[Mile High Trout]

Dogs always bite strangers. Anyone who does not understand that, does not understand dogs. They're well behaved if they have familiar faces around. But what many dog owners do not understand, is that all dogs have a different more primal and territorial side, that simply never comes out around trusted persons. Tiny dogs make a good illustrative example, because they typically have a very limited trusted persons set. Where as a big dog is much more confident, and won't go primal, until he's surrounded by strangers.

 

[Mile High Trout]

Here are the approach options:

Lockbox vacant, and no calls or accompaniment.

Lockbox not vacant, and accompaniment.

Lockbox not vacant, and no accompaniment - Requires direct conversation with the owner.

Personally, I always insist. I've never been in someones house with their personal belongings unattended in over a decade. I simply won't do it. They can ask a neighbor for a favor, I don't care who. Someone needs to be there with me. Sometimes you deal with the kid issue, and unless they're older teens, that's not acceptable. An adult or near adult must be present, if I'm inside someones house with things that they could accuse me of stealing.

 

[Dan Umstead]

In the South, you may get shot. But, on the other hand, the appraiser is probably armed also.