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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

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Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

I think he was mad at himself and his client, and took it out on you...A

Feb 18, 2016 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Yes, I find them to be a real distraction from the showing and if the seller can remove them during showing times the house will present better.

Feb 18, 2016 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,955,212
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

I am going to make an assumption that if a gate is present, there must be a good reason for it.  If I represented the seller, I would find out if it could be removed. If they have an animal or child that they want some restricted access then it should stay up. If it is left up, then it should be left open not closed during any showing.  A buyer (or agent) should not have to fiddle with a child gate lock.

Feb 22, 2016 09:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Not really

Feb 18, 2016 09:15 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

I showed a house the other day that had them. I will be honest, Im not a fan, but I dont harp on them much.

Feb 18, 2016 07:35 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

If she was acting like a child , she probably needed the gate !

Feb 18, 2016 06:19 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Put the client in time and tell them to go stand in the corner.

Feb 18, 2016 05:26 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Oh that is funny...

Actually, there are some child proof gates that are hard to figure out... but nothing to get angry about.

Eve

Feb 18, 2016 04:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,186
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Seriously? That's what passes for negotiation? LOLLLLL!

Feb 18, 2016 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
282,018
Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI
Century 21 Town and Country - Royal Oak, MI
#11 Century21 Realtor in the US, #16 in the World

Leave them up.  Painted walls can become damaged by taking them down too often and they are not so easy to put back up. The seller certianly has a reason for them being up.

Anyone who does not know how to operate all baby gates should not be showing homes... That's ridiculous to throw a fit over....

Feb 25, 2016 03:42 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paul, sometimes these gates are difficult to open, especially if you don't have kids.  I would take them down for showings.

Feb 19, 2016 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Paul - I wouldn't take them down, but if they were not needed for anything, why not leave them all open. I don't see this as being a big issue.

Feb 19, 2016 02:29 PM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Paul,
Smart sellers will be sure they are secured in the open position. Too often they can get broken if not hurt a looker.

Feb 19, 2016 01:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

If you can't get out of a baby gate...

Feb 19, 2016 04:05 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington Maybe this person has a point. No two seem to open the same way. Everyone has a different type of latch. I wouldn't take them down.

Feb 19, 2016 01:42 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,391
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No.

Feb 19, 2016 01:35 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I think the homeowner should take them down before they leave the home for a showing.... if the stay home during the showing, they also need to remove the gates and take the child in a room and play with him/her until the showing ends...

Feb 18, 2016 11:44 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

If not down. Bunting cord them open.  YEs have been stuck behind a baby gate and good thing the buyer had a young girl who could open it for me 

Feb 18, 2016 11:02 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Time out!

Feb 18, 2016 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,370
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Take them down for a showing! They hinder the process!

Feb 18, 2016 09:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We have had issues with these in the past, but then Mom tried to prevent me from leaving the house!

Feb 18, 2016 09:20 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

What Debbie Reynolds said...

Feb 18, 2016 08:57 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have run into some that were a pain in the butt and we couldn't figure out how to open them! If they could be removed that would be great, but that's usually not possible so we just do the best we can.

Feb 18, 2016 08:41 PM
Rainmaker
516,337
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I don't think it hinders a showing.  I have not had this scenario as of yet, but don't think it would be an issue.  I like your question back to the agent and would not take it down.

Feb 18, 2016 08:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Sometimes their operation has to be tricky because today's babies are so much smarter than when we were kids. Somehow they made it in, once there it should be easier to get out. Is this what's known as a "Rite of Passage"?

Feb 18, 2016 08:16 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington . If a person can't figure out how to operate a baby gate, I feel sorry for them.

Feb 18, 2016 05:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Paul. Seriously? They probably should be kept in and not let out until someone came to help.

Feb 18, 2016 04:41 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul, I think I will expect this agent to know how to open this. Part of our business, isn't it?

Feb 18, 2016 03:18 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Some folks just need to find something to get upset about, but it may be wise to take them down, you never know who your next buyer will be and it may be best to not irritate them.

Feb 18, 2016 02:38 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

I would remove it or at least have it open.  There are so many that are not necessarily easy to open.  A distraction....but shouldn't be a deal killer!

Feb 18, 2016 01:08 PM
Ambassador
3,164,219
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

they need to always be open at showings is my take.  Gone would be better.

Feb 18, 2016 01:03 PM
Rainmaker
713,282
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

some of those gates can be tricky! But no, I wouldn't take them down, unless I had a lot of complaints!

Feb 18, 2016 12:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

No if the sellers need the baby gates the agents will just have to deal with them.

Feb 18, 2016 11:57 AM
Rainer
279,354
John Crosby
Real Property, Inc. - Marblehead, MA

I think the gates should be removed along with the dog that lives behind the gate if the gates are for a dog.  The dog usually gets loose causing everyone to try to catch the escapee and the buyer usually steps in what the gate is used to contain other than the dog.  

Feb 18, 2016 11:30 AM
Rainer
80,653
Linda Guess
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes Branson, MO - Branson, MO
Branson area real estate sales.

I would prefer the gate to be taken down.  We can't expect that everyone can figure out how they open.

Feb 18, 2016 11:06 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

They do ruin the flow of the house. I would take them down, but personally they don't bother me. 

Feb 18, 2016 11:05 AM
Rainer
223,831
LUXURYSOCALREALTY COMPASS La Jolla
Compass - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Partner - The Private Client Network

Hi Paul, I would take them down if possible.  They are counterintuitive to staging.  If seller will allow of course.

Feb 18, 2016 10:59 AM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

I think they should be at least left open.  I've had a few that I can't get open, so I don't like seeing them.

Feb 18, 2016 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I would find a way to prop them open when the home is being shown but asking a seller to make their home unsafe for their child would be foolhardy and a potential law suit.

Feb 18, 2016 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,580
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I do tell my sellers to take them down..they are a distraction!

Feb 18, 2016 09:26 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I would leave them open if possible...hard to take them down and put them up again all the time

Feb 18, 2016 07:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

It is funny that we put things up to deter the young ones and like most medicine bottles we cannot get them open!

Feb 18, 2016 06:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Yes, seller should remove or leave open.  Easy access, don't put up barriers.

No, the agent does not need to get angry when leaving feedback.

Just my two cents. 

Feb 18, 2016 06:03 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Agent was probably just embarrassed because two grown adults couldn't figure out how to open a baby gate. owner should just leave them open during showing times.

Feb 18, 2016 05:57 AM
Ambassador
5,048,758
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Well how about just having them open. Isn't the idea to make a showing as accessible as possible? What if someone has a physical handicap?

Feb 18, 2016 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
152,661
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

Some of them can be difficult to open. I like the look without them, but I understand the homeowner's not wanting to take them down. I guess I would just let the owner know it was a concern of 1 person.

Feb 18, 2016 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I wonder how the Agent  got out?  Who was her client with, when she was trapped?

Feb 18, 2016 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

It may be a good idea to take it down for liabilty because you do not want people getting hurt jumping over it.

Feb 18, 2016 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I have had trouble with them & they are annoying. I also have had to step over them because they wouldn't open.

Feb 18, 2016 05:24 AM