Unless they live two doors down it seems excessive. Heck, even if they do live two doors down it seems excessive. Before we bought our last house I planned what to do with it--with pictures I took. We saw it once for an hour, and then a quick walk-through before closing. With the house we're looking at now, we've seen it twice, for less than an hour the first time and just a few minutes the second time. I think that's plenty. It's only half a mile from here and I don't drive by every opportunity I get, either.

Maybe you should mention it to your REA so that they can call the seller's agent and see if there's something going on. Or hopefully since you've said something to them they'll back off a little bit now.

Yeah, I agree, it's excessive. Some people don't learn appropriate social buundaries and cause endless misery for others because they're less concerned about how you feel than what they want. Good for you for setting some appropriate boundaries for them since they can't seem to do it themselves. I'm betting they'll probably be a little better from now on...

Well, I have to admit that when we bought our current home, I used to drive by it every day also. It felt sort of like having a teenaged crush. But I never stopped or bothered the owners. When we sold our home in our hometown, the buyers called me several times for measurements, help in getting the utilities set up so they could be turned on for them the day of closing, and a few other questions. After a few calls, I began to find it annoying, but I always remained cheerful and friendly and our closing went through effortlessly.

I wouldn't personally go out and confront them -- if they decide they don't like you, they may try to find a way to get out of their contract. You can't stop them from driving or walking by your property, but they are way out of line. They probably don't know any better, but your agent should have their agent explain to them that their behavior isn't acceptable.

I think thats totally excessive and I would have said something as well. Its one thing to drive by - its another to be walking around someones yard when the house isn't even theirs yet. Like someone said before some people have no concept of social boundries...when we bought ours - we drove by a few times, but never got out of the car or stopped in front of the house. I think thats rude.

I have to smile at their apparent enthusiasm for the house. What they are doing wouldn't bother me in the least, but I know people have widely different reactions to these issues of trespassing.

HOWEVER, in what way have they been difficult? If they are scoping out the property and possibly getting cold feet, then I would be worried.

I'd be weirded out by the invasion of privacy too, and I think you were well within your rights to confront them. Do people have no concept of personal space anymore? Like the others have said, driving by would be one thing, but what they're doing is just obnoxious.

If they've been difficult, I'd also be concerned that they're looking for things to find wrong with the house or property.

I think you got your point across that you don't enjoy being stalked. Hopefully they will just respect that without making a bigger issue of it.

What ever happened to taking pictures? Shoot, when I bought my current house, I had the link to the virtual tour bookmarked (it was taken off MLS when the house sold, but the link to the tour remained online for months). I spent hours looking at the tour and photos, planning where I would put all my stuff, etc... which may be a little obsessive, but at least I wasn't bothering anyone.

It is unclear to me from your post whether they in fact ever came onto your property. If they did, then they crossed the line - - - both figuratively and literally. If they didn't, and they've just spent time looking at the house from public property (sidewalk, street, etc.), then my opinion (since you asked), is that you're overreacting.

"We bought this house" Actually no, they have not purchased the house at this point.

I'd be bothered by this as well. If it continues, I'd ask the real estate agent to handle it and offer them the Aug 1 close date again. Don't let it get ugly, that serveds no one.

I have gone by houses that I had under contract, but I've never parked the car and walked in the yard - that is an invasion of privacy.

If they didn't, and they've just spent time looking at the house from public property (sidewalk, street, etc.), then my opinion (since you asked), is that you're overreacting.

As Kileyray said in her post, they were actually walking through the yard, then found them standing right outside her windows.

At the very least, they could have knocked on the door and asked if it was okay for them to poke around the house for a few minutes. Some people have a huge sense of entitlement, and the fact that they couldn't extend that small courtesy tells me they fall into into that category.

Geez, I'd feel like an idiot walking blatantly around someone's house while they were still living in it.

Yes, it's excessive and idiotic. But hey, look at the bright side - you've sold your house in an extremely soft market! Congratulations.

Honestly, I think you should give them a break. It sounds like they're really excited about buying your house and are busy planning all the wonderful things they will do to make it their own. You can ask them to stay off the property but that's it (if they're staying on the sidewalk/road and edge of the yard that doesn't seem like a big deal to me). I certainly wouldn't risk breaking the deal over it by trying to change the closing date, etc.

Maybe you could offer to let them make an appointment to come by with their agent and do their planning/measuring? Around here we are allowed one visit to do just that.

I think it's sweet; I can only imagine that they're afraid to knock on your door. You seem a little harsh and unapproachable.

Heck, for my second house I remember driving by and trying to imagine what was in the lawn underneath the snow. The buyer saw us and invited us in to measure windows for curtains, and look around again etc. It felt very nice. So I remember her kindness and our excitement.

They are way overstepping their bounds to set foot on your property, and even spending a lot of time on the street/sidewalk, while not illegal, does lend a creepy feel.

I used to drive by my house often before we went to closing. Never stopped and stared, though.

The people we bought our house from were so sweet. They offered to let us come over and plant flowers if we wanted to. The day we moved into our house, the owners had left us a detailed list of all the things we might need to know about our new house, neighbors and neighborhood. They were such nice people and we think fondly of them to this day.

I'd get my agent to talk to their agent about etiquette.

or something.

I don't think that 2 hours is excessive for an inspection. Our last two inspections took 3 hours (although that was only the time the inspector was there - we didn't show up until the last 15 min or so).

I also don't think it's unreasonable for the buyers to come to the house frequently. As others have said, they are probably just excited. Do you really feel like your privacy is invaded, or are you just aggravated because of the other things they've been difficult about?

Yes, legally, it's your property right now and not theirs, but I think it's normal to feel an emotional attachment to a house you have under contract, even before closing. Unless they are really being intrusive (like closing your blinds doesn't suffice), you should just let it go.

We used to go park our vehicle in the driveway of the house we now own. We did this before the sale was finalized. The sellers had moved out months before, so we really didn't feel like we were invading their privacy, and we did this only a few times, certainly not every day. I doubt we would have done if the sellers had still lived there, but we probably would have driven it by it frequently or parked on the street near it.

Your buyers sounds quite zealous. They obviously love the house and feel like it's already theirs. I would try to be as nice as possible. You do want this sale to go through, don't you? Then don't tick off our buyers!!

I bought a very wooded (imagine thick jungle) lot that had not been walked on by humans in many years because of the thick growth. It was waterfront, but you couldn't even access the water from the lot because you couldn't get three feet into the lot because of growth.

A few weeks before closing, we created a small, narrow trail all the way back to the water. It took several days doing this by hand.The sellers lived in another country and had no clue we did this.

We closed on the property and still own it.

I really get the excited part. But also to just stand there and stare or actually walk around close to the house windows seems a little creepy.
I think nipping this in the bud, politely but firmly was a wise move. As moving day gets closer they may have gotten even more intrusive. Give an inch, get taken by a mile.

It's weird, but I would be as nice as possible about it. Tell them, through agents, that you're happy to have them come by to take measurements, look at things, and so forth, but that they need to call first and set up an appointment with either you or the agent.

You did the right thing. They were being excessive in their visits to your home. Kinda creepy and weird too. You need your privacy. They will have plenty of time to change/fix whatever they want to do to your home once they take possession. Hopefully they heeded your wishes and won't be back without calling first. NancyLouise

Thank you all for your replies. Since I spoke to the buyers they have driven by a few times but have not parked or come on our property.

When I approached them I was friendly even though I was ticked off. It was the woman's tone and sense of entitlement that upset me. When I asked what they were doing she didn't say "Oh hi, how are you?" but replied "We bought this property."

They weren't too shy to call me and try and buy the house a few hours before we listed with our REA so I don't think I scare them. She had told them she would be listing the house that afternoon and they should drive by to see if they were interested. If they had called or knocked on the door to let me know that they were there I would have been fine with them walking around outside. It was just a little unsettling to look out my window and see them standing right there.

As for scaring them off and loosing the deal. The conditions have been removed so if they back out they will lose their deposit which is quite large. I doubt they would since they are obviously pretty infatuated with the house. But even if they did it wouldn't be the end of the world. I know another offer would come along. In my region the market is not soft. We had other offers but these buyers didn't have selling their house as a condition.

They conducted the inspection themselves and were here for longer than they promised us they would be. They called during the day and were adamant that it happen that night. I agreed on the condition that they be out of the house by 7:15 because my daughter was sick. I came back at 7:30 and they were still there. I parked down the street and they didn't leave until almost 8:00.

Curious--what inspection did they do by themselves without an agent being present. I probably would not have let them, because you do not know what they look at (personal records) or what they could take (medicine out of bottles) etc. Guess I just don't trust certain people. You may want to check personal things out before you sign papers. They should be more honest with you--like asking to measure shelves, take another look to see if certain furniture will fit, and I do hope that everything you want to take is in writing. I agree, it is spooky to see someone just standing outside trying to look in.

Their agent was present when they did the "inspection" or I would not have allowed them in. I also put my jewelery and important papers in our safe.

I don't understand why they made their offer conditional to having an inspection report prepared and then chose just to do a walk through themselves. I wasn't worried about any problems because the house is less than a year old and is still covered by warranty. However, I made sure that when it came time to remove the conditions it was in writing that the buyers waived their right to a professional inspection, which they did.

If they had arranged to do a walk through for measurements etc. I would have let them. Honestly, even though they have been difficult, up until the other night when the coped an attitude I would have let them come back as much as they wanted if they had asked. But now I won't because I don't feel like they have shown me any respect or consideration through out the transaction.

I was very accommodating when we sold our other houses. The first one was to a newly married couple and I was so excited that they would be experiencing the same milestones that we did in the house. I took them on a mini tour of our yard and left them a layout of all the plants in the flower beds. I even introduced them to our neighbors.

Have they been doing this when you aren't home? If I saw strangers parking and walking around my neighbor's house when they weren't home, I would probably call the police.

We did driveby's on our 'new' house pretty much every weekend. And we'd go around the block and do it again. :)

However, we would have never dreamed of getting out and walking on the property (at 25 acres we could have probably gotten away with it, but..). That's trespassing and we didn't own it yet!

Our home inspection took 4 hours (and he still missed lots of stuff, but that's a story for another thread). So a two hour inspection is not bad.

It's clear they are excited, but standing in the yard is over the top.

DH did our "inspection," benefit of an older house is generally, what you see is what you get. Don't recall how long it took, but probably not longer than two hours.

Other than that, we were at the house one other time by appointment, and two drive-bys. The first was very early in the morning since we wanted to see how long it would take to drive to work from potential new location.

The second time, we would have loved to linger, but there was a Christmas tree visible in the house, and several cars in the yard. The late owner's grown children were clearly having the last Christmas gathering in the home. We slowed down, but didn't stop.

DH looked the house over the morning of the closing. While he worked his way through the house, I stood with owner's sons in the kitchen. It was a little awkward. Finally I said, "There's only one thing I have to check, and that's the new sewing room." When I came back, one of them said, "That was Mom's sewing room, too."

kileyray- "As for scaring them off and loosing the deal. The conditions have been removed so if they back out they will lose their deposit which is quite large. However, I made sure that when it came time to remove the conditions it was in writing that the buyers waived their right to a professional inspection, which they did."

Good for you. One less thing to have to worry about on closing day. I might double check the contract to be sure they don't find something else.

Your agent told them she was going to list the house that afternoon, & they came to your door before it was listed?

& they've met you a time or 2 since then?

so they know your face, & they know that you know their faces...

& when you asked them what they were doing stalking your house, they said, "We've bought this house"???

These people are more than strange;

Be careful.

Till the cash is in hand and all the t's are crossed and the i's dotted it's still your home and they have no right to just show up. It's called trespassing and besides ticking you off there are legal problems to consider. Like if one of them trips and breaks a arm on say your child's bike. Guess who could be responsible for the doctor bills?
These two can love the house all they want AFTER they close till then they need to learn their limits!

I think their actions are presumptive. How many times have we heard on this forum, that the house isn't sold until the ink on the closing contracts dry? Until that moment in time, it is YOUR house and you have as much expectation of privacy as you've ever had.

One day many years ago, I looked out my front window to an elderly lady who was walking around the front of our property taking pictures. We live in the country, and it's not like she just happened to veer off a sidewalk and got caught up in the moment. Yes, I did go out and ask her if there was something I could do to help her. She offered that she lived out of town, had lived in this house as a child and wanted to see it again. I even offered to give her an inside tour, but she was close-mouthed, nervous and declined. I don't begrudge her at all the chance to see and get photos to remind her of her childhood, but all she had to do was knock on our door.

I am a nurseryman, and we have our greenhouses located on our property. Needless to say, our landscaping reflects that. I can't tell you the number of times I have looked out windows and seen people down by our pond, or inspecting our gazebo, and most never ask if we mind. They just appear out of nowhere and go snooping. I understand how you feel. Boy, do I.

I say that after closing you go over there once a day a peek into the windows for a couple of weeks. When they ask who you are and what you are doing there tell them "I used to own this property".

Oops! Instead of once a day a peek , it should read once a day and peek

I don't get these responses of, "Ah shucks, ain't that cute! They are so excited! If it were me, I would invite them in for some tea."

So just imagine for a moment, you are doing what you do in your house and look up to find a couple of people standing right next to your window. And you can say, without a doubt that this wouldn't bother you?

Did they sign a waiver of liabillity in their offer? If they fellonthe property while trespassing, they could come after you for their medical expenses. Contract or no, they should not be there univited, unannounced and without your permission. Drive-by is okay, but they should not be on the property without your permission.

We once used the same realtor my sister did to buy her current home. The REA had a FIT when my BIL had a pool contractor come in after the previous owner had moved out but before closing and start draining and repairing the pool. While the pool repairs should be an improvement, the risk of an injury or something donw improperly was not theirs to take -- not to mention the trespass issue.

I wouldn't get too creeped out -- they are probably making plans for things they want to do after they close. They are making an emotional committment to the house as well as a financial one -- that's actually a good thing. But I would ask them to call and ask permission if they need to come ontot the property if they need to again.

Thie is where the big lab and the very loud collie/retriever mix in the back yard would help. :)

We had potential buyers (old friends)who wanted the house and made an offer that was accepted by us. They told everyone the house was theirs even though we hadn't closed yet and they dropped by daily. The house was empty but the neighbors reported the visits, the use of the dock when they came by boat, a wild party the twenty five year old sons had one night.

Our broker found out about the party and told us and also told the buyer it was inappropriate. They wanted a key; wanted to put the utilities in their name; pestered the broker daily. Everyone, including the man who did the termite inspection, knew they were buying the house.

Our agreement said that we had the right to market and show house until the closing. With this potential buyer telling everyone it was his house it was hard to show the house to any other people. He would show up everyday.

Much to our surprise and intense dismay the JERK dropped out of the contract because he suddenly decided he couldn't afford the house--there were no contengencies.
We got to keep the deposit but our old friend made a fool out of himself and ruined the friendship.

We let him out of the contract because we were so disgusted. We have another contract but like every one says "it ain't over til the check clears the bank."

Well, while waiting for the close date to roll around, I was excited about the house we are living in now. It was sitting empty, the lady who owned it was in a nursing home. We drove by it almost daily, I think, excited and happy to be moving to a nicer house, yard, neighborhood. So I think that is what hey are about. If people were still living there I would not have been standing and staring at it, just driving by.

We also "trespassed" to pull weeds and cut a branch off a shrub that covered part of the sidewalk. The step-daughters were handling the house sale and we're doing next to nothing to keep things up. Grass was getting kinda long at the end. Her step-daughters were a lot less than helpful. I remember when we asked where the water well was they looked at us like deer in the headlights of a car, replied they didn't know. We had to also go there to get some misdirected fed-ex package the bank goofed on and sent to us at the pending house.

So, I think you handled it ok, you are still living there.

It has almost been two weeks since I spoke to the buyers about coming on my property. I haven't seen them around since then which has been nice.

They have now listed their house for sale so I imagine they are getting a taste of what it is like to be on the sellers end of things.

I was talking about the situation with some of the moms at DD's school. I didn't name any names but one of the mom's figured it out since the buyers just listed their house. She told me "Well, that explains it all." I guess this couple is known for being difficult to deal with both at school (our kids go to the same one) and in the community.

It's behind me now and I am focusing on my upcoming move (across country!!) and finding a new house.