1,457,119
Firstly, it depends on the child. I wrote a piece about an agent who was a single Dad. He brought his little girl everywhere. She wore a little business suit, had her own clipboard and knew to shake hands and introduce herself to clients. She would busy herself drawing "floorplans"! It worked for them because he made it work.
-
Debra Peters
Manorville, NY
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
5,772,587
Debbie,
I don't think they belong at a showing appointment. A
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
1,728,156
Same as agents who bring along pets; not cool.
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
846,475
Never had that happen or even witnessed that. Why would they? No baby sitter?
It sounds very unprofessional, ever seen a kid in another professions? I.E.,in a doctors examining room?
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
2,221,377
It is not a very professional thing to do.
As Kenneth J. Jones said, "Agents who take their kids, grandchildren or pets on appointments are a big part of the reason why the public views residential real estate agents so poorly".
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
991,352
I don't think it's the professional thing to do myself - I had to let an agent go because I received complaints from customers that didn't want the children around when viewing
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
1,846,901
Maybe a showing appt once a year in an emergency - that's it. Little kids should not be towed around. I don't think it's professional at all.
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
5,583,328
I don't like that idea.....
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
679,404
As a professional I would not take my children or grandchildren on any appointment with me. As a professional I would hire someone to care for the children so that I could do my job without distractions from my clients.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
862,839
On a regular basis? I can not see how that would work out at all. For ANY of the parties. Mark
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
1,683,912
Very inprofessional, as the attention is taken off of the client.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
4,272,934
I think it is a necessary evil for some agents however I wouldn't do it myself
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Paul S. Henderson, REA...
Tacoma, WA
2,443,250
Listing appointments, no way. If they are well behaved it is okay on a showing, but not on a regular basis.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Ari Taylor
Peabody, MA
-
Larry Johnston
Elkhart, IN
280,599
I had my granddaughter last Tuesday evening. My buyer is in Panama and she had arranged to have her dad write the earnest money and option fee from their joint account. They called and said the check was there. I went to pick it up-grandkids in tow. We work 24/7 and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. This is the 14th house that I have sold to this family and their friends so it didn't matter to them. If it had been a brand new client I wouldn't have done it.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
-
Ari Taylor
Peabody, MA
3,988,013
I have seen agents doing this lately and thinking nothing of it.
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
682,505
Absolutely! Big NO NO! Unless, they are adults helping with Open House.
Ls
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
1,553,357
I'm a proud Dad and I was a new Dad when I became a Realtor and I'll still say, no children belong on Real Estate appointments; they are an unnecessary distraction for both parties, regardless of who's kids they are. Especially these days when parents do not parent their kids...I see it all the time in stores, restaurants & airplanes. But, that's a different blog post .
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,784,576
Why punish the kids? An agent has to be there but the kids? Do unless not
-
Richie Alan Naggar
Riverside, CA
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,466,257
Debbie Reynolds I think they should leave the children at home with a sitter. Children can be a distraction when viewing properties.
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
5,239,571
Debbie, have seen it done. One agent brought his children on listing appointments and if things were not going well they were prompted to ask "how is it going for us to keep things going?"! It worked sometimes. Very unprofessional.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
3,627,072
An absolute no-no
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
7,863,492
Not a good idea. If I were the buyer or the seller, this would be a one time event.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
6,418,126
As long as the children are trained to be helpers and not a distraction it is a good thing.
Teaches the children about work and what their parents do.
I involved my children with my business from a very young age, always finding ways for them to feel a part of the process, this has paid off well in their developement into adults who are in demand by many employers.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
4,319,773
Debbie Reynolds - sometimes they have no options....
I remember Diana Kokoszka used to take her kids at appointments - and look now where she is.
It's the DRIVE that matters...
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,771,867
Sometimes it cannot be helped but how can they concentrate?
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
231,224
if they are well behaved, they are welcome...if not..no.. but who is the judge of behaved? lol
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
1,231,853
I have never done that but do know some agents who do take kids out of necessity
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
3,741,901
Oops! I misread the question! If the buyers bring little ones, that's fine. If an agent brings her children or grandchildren, it might not work for a lot of buyers. I think this is why God invented babysitters.
My showing tomorrow will include two young children, and sometimes that's just the way it's got to be. If these two little ones are anything like their parents, I think it will be a good afternoon.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
1,624,853
Well, not all the time, but sometimes you have situation that your baby sitter did not show up and you just have no choice. When I started, my kids were little and my plans had to be adjusted all the time.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
4,800,132
For the most part, I think it's very unprofessional. But, I understand that there are times when it must be done and how the agent handles this is the important thing.
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
2,187,593
There are always extenuating circumstances (like last minute showings) But, in general it's very unprofessional.
I do love Susan Emo's example where the child was kind of like a prop. It was very unique and I see how it could work very effectively.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
4,434,177
It gives people the impression that the agent is just doing this part time if they are very young.
If they are teenagers it may be ok so that they can learn about the business.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
970,983
My 13 year old (my youngest) goes with me on viewing and other types of business related activities. She has not been on a listing interview. I was about 10 years old when I went on my first property viewing. Understand I am 2nd generation Realtor. That was about 45 years ago. I personally do not see a problem older children attending. My son was about 7 years of age the first time he went to an Act of Sale. Every thing within its limits.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
637,484
Nope, I'm on the job, not babysitting when I am with a client.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
3,986,308
I have mixed thoughts on it...some kids are really good, but...
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
56,940
I've brought my 9 year old, never the first meeting unless I have no choice, she takes notes and acts professionally she is in charge of greeting and giving out my card. I would not bring my 3 year old unless they said tonight is the only time I can see it and I was stuck-and then I would explain that this is not the norm, in advance-I've brought my kids to other jobs, it's important for kids to learn a solid work ethic and understand what their parents do. My dad used to take me I have pictures of me sitting in the Attorney generals chair with my feet on his desk. As a mother who has to work, this is why I went into a job that allows me to balance both-
-
Frank Rubi
Metairie, LA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,617,916
It is best to keep the kids home when doing real estate.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
1,506,013
Only if the agent is the buyer! If it's a last minute "single parent and the sitter died on the way there" type situation, ok, but the clients would take their own car and the kids would be locked in the car, out of sight and out of mind. They would also be told "if you don't stay still and quiet there will be serious consequences when we get home" and then put your hand on your belt.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
1,206,361
There may be exceptions but I don't suport the idea. This is a profession and we are suposed to be professionals.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
2,684,569
As a general rule, no. There are exceptions, such as the answer posted by Jeanne Gregory
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
3,349,404
Generally speaking, I believe it is unprofessional. There may be circumstances where is is necessary. If I were the client, and my agents kept showing up with their child, I would find another agent.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
4,582,309
What I think doesn't likely matter as much as what does a client think?
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
352,976
Not good at all. Professionals in business need to make arrangements for care of those that they are responsible for. I've seen agents holding open houses with kids and pets and couldn't tell who the agent really is as they were distracted. The kids were sitting on the sofa watching tv and there were snacks strewn all over the kitchen. Not a good presentation for a public open house and I often wonder if the sellers really know what is going on?
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
5,112,471
It's completely unprofessional. Recently an agent came with his little girl to one of my high-end listings... she spent 30 minutes jumping up and down on my client's $16,000 Ralph Lauren sofa and then went and pooped in two bathrooms and didn't flush. That may be an extreme example, but kids have no place in business situations.
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
1,390,113
I took our (adult) daughter to a showing once. It was geographically necessary and with clients that we know personally, so no big deal. She waited in the car and said hi to the clients but that was it.
But otherwise, I wouldn't do it.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
252,600
Only if last minute showing request... if I'm out with them, then they are brought along, they usually wait in the car, but only as they were older and could do that, under 7 or 8, probably not
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
913,468
I wouldn't do it unless it was some type of emergency, but I would ask first and explain why I had to bring them along.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
3,071,489
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint nailed this one!
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
634,532
As Jeanne Gregory says, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. But it should only be extraordinary circumstances.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
290,969
Wow! - I have not seen this before, not to say it doesn't happen Debbie Reynolds - as it's not anything that we have ever done. Hard to say if it's appropriate, because who will be watching the kiddos if you are trying to show a house or do a listing presentation, and this isn't the same as the client bringing their kiddos!
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
216,904
I have not encountered this. I don't think it is appropriate, but I am sure the agents doing it do not have another option.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
2,224,473
It's not a good idea, but I know agents who have done this.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
1,241,754
Not often only if they are friends.
-
Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
121,632
In general, no children should be on appointments. Atempts should be made to schedule later and explained to the buyers. If you're in real estate and have small children, have a plan in place for these instances given then nature of the business. If the buyer is not willing to schedule later, have a colleague open the door for you. It's important to have a couple colleauges/team mates you work closely with and you help each other in a pinch. Listing appointments should be planned and prepared, no children. Another factor would be the age of the child. If a 15+ year old is acting as an assistant and learning the business, why not? If they can work somewhere else at 15, (as in FL), learning real estate offers terrific experience and looks good on a resume.
4,960,530
3,416,038
If they are well behaved, than not an issue. If they are crying, touching things and or interrupting, then they should have stayed home.
4,176,546