B.C. is a fruitful market for real estate agents, realtors, and developers. Along with the demand comes countless open houses and showings for clients.
It turns out things can get weird (like, really weird) when people are looking for that forever home. A lot of it has to do with bathrooms and nudity, apparently.
Here are some of the weirdest things real estate brokers told us they've seen:
Weird Things Seen By Real Estate Agents
Nude tanner(01 of11)
"At my open house, the male neighbour next door [was] tanning nude in the backyard. Not discovered until we stepped into the back deck and....well...then there was nothing left to discover." — Phil, a top agent on the North Shore (credit:Charriau Pierre via Getty Images)
A little manicure (or pedicure) action(02 of11)
"When selling my own home, I cleaned thoroughly only to return — post-showing — to my nail clippers out and a stranger's nails in my sink." — Jack Bernard, Vancouver (credit:theJIPEN via Getty Images)
Had to go(03 of11)
"In a developer's presentation centre, a buyer used the display bathroom — which had an open ceiling to the centre — for number two. He struggled and was audibly not enjoying it." — Jack Bernard, Vancouver (credit:TomWang112 via Getty Images)
Voodoo ceremonies(04 of11)
“One of my agents and I were out with buyers showing them a number of investment properties in my previous market of Sarasota, Florida. Upon entering one 'handyman special,' we were greeted by animal bones and odd markings. Once we got to the living room, we discovered that someone had broken into the home and performed voodoo ceremonies — complete with altar, stones, voodoo dolls, and more bones. Needless to say, the buyer passed on that particular investment." — Bret Calltharp, business development Specialist for Metro Vancouver Properties (RE/MAX) (credit:Ballyscanlon via Getty)
What you looking for?(05 of11)
"People that lift up toilet seats to look under them. What do they expect to see?" — Shawn Anderson, RE/MAX, Vancouver (credit:Shutterstock)
Dinner and a show(06 of11)
"The couple next door with the curtains open while enjoying each other vigorously. The buyers thought it nice that people got along in the neighbourhood, but that perhaps (as proven) it might be a bit loud for them and their children." — Phil, a top agent on the North Shore (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Haunted house(07 of11)
"A ghost." — Angie, Metro Vancouver realtor (credit:Getty Images)
No coffee, thanks(08 of11)
"One seller's decor had coffee cups on everything, including curtains, cupboards, and each individual tile. On our second meeting, I brought them coffee, but they turned it down — as they don't drink coffee." — Jack Bernard, Vancouver (credit:STOKKETE VIA GETTY IMAGES)
Puppy palace(09 of11)
"On occasion (though not recommended), it's OK when people leave a very small, friendly, and cute dog home while having an open house. However, as I was walking a couple through the home, the fluffy little dear decided to show her disapproval on the living room carpet as we entered the room. Clearly, she was not ready to move." — Phil, a top agent on the North Shore (credit:Alamy)
Sleeping grandma(10 of11)
"I was on tour with some buyers in West Van. The listing realtor, who was related to the seller, met us at the property to unlock. He told us to go in and he'd be out in the garden making some calls.The house appeared almost vacant, just a few pieces of furniture around. We went upstairs into one of the bedrooms and turned the lights on — there was an elderly woman sleeping in the bed. My client screamed at the top of her lungs and then the woman in bed started screaming too. My client was so shocked she ran all the way out and got back in the car. I asked the other realtor why he didn't mention someone was there, he said he didn't think we'd notice his tiny Gramma sleeping and she's a deep sleeper so didn't think she'd notice us...wrong!"— Ian Eggleton, Re/Max, North Shore and Downtown Vancouver (credit:Lisa Kyle Young via Getty Images)
Bathroom break(11 of11)
"A buyer and I went to a 400 sq.-ft. studio near Collingwood. We arrived early to familiarize ourselves with the area and waited outside for the listing agent. The broker ran awkwardly up to the home and rushed to the elevator and hurried us up to the suite. Once inside he immediately ducked into the bathroom.Due to the small size, the buyer and I finished our viewing in a few moments. There was a long and uncomfortable few minutes where we sat in silence waiting for the listing broker to finish up. We heard an exasperated sigh and flush, he leaned out of the bathroom and said quite excitedly 'Hey, you guys have to come check out these renovations in here!'A quick no thanks, a lot of laughter and we avoided the amenity viewing and decided to move on. One of my more memorable showings and one we still laugh about."— Jack Bernard, Vancouver (credit:Marlene Ford via Getty Images)