Candles left burning.

What do you do?

Leave it or blow them out? It often amazes me when you show a home and the owner has thoughtfully left several glass jar candles burning away. Whether for atmosphere or to scent their home, was it really that thoughtful or was it more likely thoughtless? I guess I believe rule number one is never leave anything burning and unattended when you are not home. The question then becomes, who is responsible for the candles when it is time to leave the home after the showing is over. If they are not blown out and the house catches fire then what? Has that homeowner assumed the agent would put them out? Is that homeowner coming back right away or will they forget they are blazing in the house and risking a fire? It all makes me worry about the liability of the home burning down and could that become the Realtors fault by failing to blow out those candles?

My Answer: I blow them out. I would also tell the homeowner, since you are leaving the home unattended, to not light any candles for showing, please. It might also be a surprise for some homeowners to learn that many buyers are actually turned off by scented candles. There are also some buyers who may have allergies and others may feel they were there to perhaps hide other smells. So the best advise: Just turn on all the house lights and open up all the window treatments, it is less risky and less costly to all.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... "Candles left burning" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.