To take the kids with us to view a house?

[monkeynuts123]

Just wondering what the general opinion is here. We went to view a house and took kids, toddler and 5 year old with us. They were both well behaved and didn't run off around the house touching things or misbehaving but stayed with us as we viewed the house and only asked can they take their coats off and did they have to take their shoes off? The little one had to be watched by the stairs but we took it in turns so we both had a chance to focus on viewing the house. There was no playing about, shouting, interrupting, eating or filling nappies. We arrived at the appointment on time and left on time.

The estate agent said we should have left them outside in the car and that in her day she got left in the car while her dad was in the pub. I said that people don't tend to leave their kids in cars much these days if they can avoid it and she said in her day she was too scared of being hit and that things today have gone too far the other way.

AIBU to think that if children behave themselves they ought to be allowed to look at the house in which they may one day live?! I don't understand why some people have a problem with children just being there, if they're being naughty or inconsiderate I get it but if they're being well behaved what's the problem? I left feeling that we were in the wrong and our kids are a pain in the arse just by existing.

[whatever5]

I would complain about the estate agent. It was outrageous of her to suggest that your children should have been left in the car. Someone should tell her that she isn't supposed to annoy potential buyers.

[specialsubject]

fine to bring them with as long as you supervise them closely, which you clearly did. That means shoes off, no touching anything so it is CLOSE supervision - but sounds like you did that.

their opinion is indeed irrelevant, but if you've no-one to leave them with, what are you supposed to do?

[WhereMyMilk]

My only problem was when DD age 5 was desperate to buy a particularly hideous house because they had a TV over the bath!!!

[HobbetInTheHeadlights]

We took ours - 3 DC baby and 3 toddlers house hunting cause we had no childcare so it was they came with or one of us didn't see the house.

For the house we did end up buying - stuff happened and it ended up with me doing first visit by myself and the second DH by himself - and we missed a few things that way that have cost us.

So next time we both will have to go - and if we haven't sorted school out which is looking likely then the DC will have to come with.

No one said anything about having the DC with us - but then the agents in the area were pretty poor - school catchments are increasingly an issue the agents were clueless then and apparently still are now.

[HobbetInTheHeadlights]

Though leaving them in a car wasn't an option as we didn't have one.

Still I wouldn't be relaxed and focused on the house - worrying about the DC in the car even if it had been an option. Plus our DC stay close, are quite and well behave - so much less on an issue than other DC I've encountered.

[whatever5]

As a home owner, no, I wouldn't want someone elses children through my house, no matter how well behaved.

If it is that much of a big deal to the vendor they could tell the estate agent to let potential buyers know they didn't want children in the house. Potential buyers could decide whether or not they wanted to bother looking/buying. I personally wouldn't look around as we have no one to look after our children and I can't be bothered with difficult vendors.

[TheGruffalo2]

YANBU. But trying to be charitable maybe she's just had grief from a previous viewer's DC trashing a house as they view? It is easy to become distracted while making a big house buying decision and maybe she's witnessed smashed computers or valuable ornaments, vomit / poo on carpet, homeowner's children's toys damaged ... etc.

Maybe ... and she was trying to prevent future issues by making comments like that ....

Not on, but trying to understand ....

[rightsaidfrederick]

YANBU. Your kids were well behaved, and they're going to be living there too

[katese11]

She is Def BU!! I took my toddler to all the house viewings with me and my 4yo to some. He was a bit of a PITA cause he kept moaning about being bored but the estate agents were fine with him!

[monkeynuts123]

DarlingGrace, out of interest why wouldn't you want well behaved children in your house? In what way are they different to well behaved adults?

[TheGruffalo2]

That reminds me of a sign on a café door "Nice dogs welcome". What is a "nice" dog? Don't all dog owners think their own dog is nice? I think both of mine are, but I wouldn't take one of them into a public café or bar.

[jetsetlil]

As a viewing rep I prefer applicants not to bring children but would never dream of saying anything. Most are extremely well behaved but some have been horrors. Mainly its because it slows the viewing down eg getting them in and out of cars taking off and putting on coats and shoes etc.
For me the worst thing is at viewings people tend bring along extended family or friends, I can sometimes have half a dozen people wandering around a house that I am responsible for.

[Mumof3xx]

I would have complained about her

When we viewed our current (rental) house we took two dc with us aged 1&2 years

[Runningtrainers]

I always take ours as the DCs have to like the house too!

[lpa]

Monkeynuts, what utter rubbish from the estate agent. We've seen too many houses with our 3 children, at various ages, with no problems ever, either agent or house owner. Have always asked if its ok, make sure their shoes are off etc and ensure they dont go berserk.
A few times, we've left them in the car with one of us waiting with them, and have been asked to bring them in and that it was fine.
At least 6 estate agent and 50 plus houses!
Mad mad mad agent!

[VelvetSpoon]

She sounds like a rude bitch. And what interest could you possibly have in hearing about her crap upbringing?! I would refuse to view any more properties with her! assuming she's not the only agent in the area

We moved when DS1 was 3 and DS2 a baby - they came on every viewing. Apart from one occasion when DS1 blew out a scented candle they were well behaved, and I never received any adverse comments.

It never occurred to me to object to people bringing their children to view the house I sold. The only couple who did annoy me were the childfree ones who opened all my kitchen cupboards to check how big they were

[yawningbear]

Completely unreasonable, if you are selling a family home, then surely you need to consider it very likely children may come to view it. DD then aged 3 once did a poo during a viewing, in the downstairs toilet, vendor was very nice about it all

[DrSeuss]

Following on from another thread, I took my then six year old and one year old on viewings because there was no one at all I could leave them with. They wee well behaved. Had they not been, I would have taken them away. Anyone who objects clearly isn't that keen to sell.

[MrsBungle]

Well we took a 2 week old and a 3 year old to our viewings! We have no-one to look after them so what would we have done?! No-one complained! If you're selling a family home, surely you'd expect children may accompany their parents.

[swampytiggaa]

we took our four to lots of viewings when we were moving down here. we were moving 200 miles so couldn't really leave them with anyone. also after 3 hours in the car to see a house there is no way they would have stopped in the car whilst we viewed.

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

Darlinggrace You do get that you are trying to sell a house right?

Presumably a family house?

Ie one that people with a family will want to buy.

If you cut out a huge proportion of that market ie those with children who don't have childcare on tap then you are far less likely to get an offer. And very unlikely to get a bidding war (which is what all sellers dream of.)

For the £'000 that is likely to cost you I would let an entire primary school through my house! If I'm selling I want to sell!

[MidniteScribbler]

I took DS to first viewings, but if I wanted to go back for a second I go on my own. I want to poke around and check it out properly without worrying about DS sticking his busy paws where they aren't wanted.

I couldn't care less whether a buyer had children with them or not, as long as they aren't breaking anything of mine.

[ComposHat]

As a courtesy I would ask the seller if they minded me bringing kids with them and mske it clear to children beforehand of the standard of behaviour expected of them.

[TheFantasticFixit]

I would complain about her attitude to be honest. The things she has said to you are pretty odd and as the vendor I would want to know about her 'technique'.

Fwiw, we took our 2 year old on all viewings recently and all the EAs were lovely. Rather embarrassed when we had to stop her from climbing into beds and asking to brush her teeth whenever she spied a toothbrush -good job she's super cute!