Like Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI I plan the safari with scheduled stops. However, the client needs to actually SEE the schedule to be beneficial. Still, the messiness of being human does occur. And like a good parent you need to check what is left behind.

Unfortunately, WAY TOO MANY BUYER AGENTS have grossly failed in managing their buyers. WAY TOO MANY BUYER AGENTS reduce a property to 'outhouse' status because their business is real estate malpractice.

And these same agents are the biggest grumblers when advised listing agent must accompany showings. 

It's the "nature" of this job . . . and I'm with Susan Emo -- I call it a plumbing check!  LOL

Seriously? When a client has to go, how can you tell them they have to wait? Even suggesting when they leave your office how long the tour will take, doesn't guarantee that they don't have a medical problem that requires frequent stops. I haven't ever had a seller complain and everyone seems to understand the call of nature.

Provided the home hasn't been winterized, I have zero problem with it.  I tell them plumbing needs to be tested at some point! 

When Mother nature calls then how can you deny a buyers need. If the home is not winterized (rarely in Austin) they are a guest in the house and the owner would allow them to relieve themselves. Doesn't hurt to double check if you are the buyer agent to make sure the bath is left the way it is found. As Michael Jacobs comments "Stuff happens and without another alternative, what choice do you have?"

Stuff happens.  And as Kathleen Daniels answered, without any alternative, what choice is there?   Make sure water is running and if the toilet is taped shut and states do not use --- don't otherwise -- be a good guest.   

When YOU gotta go, . . . . . Well, . . . . .YOU just gotta !

It doesn't happen often and we try work around issues by finding public facilities. But if there is no choice. Just be sure the water is on!

It's only a problem if the water has been turned off.  I always advise my buyers with the need to turn on sink faucet to verify there is running water in a vacant home.  Not all winterized homes have warnings.  Without running water, all deposits will remain.  

When you have to go, you have to go. If someone is home I always ask first.

With no other option ... how can it not be okay. If I were the homeowner I'd rather they do their business in the toilet than mess my floors or fertilize my lawn.  These things happen. I'd let the buyers know that if they need to go ... to let me know ... and we will make appropriate stops at McDonald's ... that is after all why McDonald's exists. 

Ginger Harper - 3 is too many....lol!

If there are kids, it's okay (still not okay!) - somehow, has not happened with me so far...

It may not be OK but the alternative is not a good idea.  A

No

I would try to encourage the buyers to wait until we could get to a public restroom.

When showing homes, I plan the circuit to include convenience stops so this is rarely a problem. In an emergency, sometimes there is no choice.

I think as a listing agent, I might have this discussion with my seller and if they have strong feelings against it, put it in the showing instructions to please not use the facilities. Otherwise, I'd suggest they designate a powder room or guest bath as the preferred destination.

As a buyer agent, I'd honor the seller instructions, if any, then otherwise wing it. It happens. Check for water flow first, be neat, be clean, and I'd likely feel compelled to check afterwards and all should be fine.

My thought on the matter is that it is better to ask permission and go. If it is a medical issue then I would rather something be said versus there be a "problem". A buyer can them relax and finish looking at the home. 

You certainly can't say no. If they are three in the same showing, I would be concerned what they are doing?  checking out meds in cabinet, doing something in bathroom...very odd. Always do a check of the bathroom, before you leave, so all is in order.

It's better than the alternative.

I try to stop somewhere in between showings for the adults, but have had kids that "could not wait".    Of course, if there is no water, no one can use the facilities.

It's not OK, but what are you going to do?

It happens.  Aside from the house being winterized, I've had buyers use bathrooms.  I have to admit that if the same buyer consistently has "to go" everytime we are previewing homes, I have made it a point to say, in advance, you may want to use the bathroom before we leave my office or have said on the way from one house to another, do you want to stop at dunkin donuts for a coffee and bathroom break? 

How about one time I had a pizza delivery guy ask to use my bathroom!!

There are procedures I've employed over the years when that has popped up. First rule is DO NOT use the master bath. Use your heads, people, sellers get super uptight about it. Second rule, flush. Seriously should I have to even say it? And third rule, wait for the toilet to fill up, for crying out loud and to stop running. If you've never been the last agent to show a home when the toilet floods the area because a person flushed and split, you're just lucky, that's all.

Why not?  Most of my buyers will ask if it's ok.  When you gotta go, you gotta go.  As long as the facilities are left clean, I see no problem with it.

What a great question Ginger Harper 

Here is the blunt honest truth: Everyone needs to pass waste sometime. It has happened to me and to clients. And sometimes it comes on quickly...even to those who are prepared to make "potty" breaks for client and self. If the property has a working toilet and is vacant...I discreetly go back and make sure there is no mess left behind.

If the house is occupied...I have the client use the guest bathroom if there is not a half bath available. I do not allow them to use the master bathroom if possible because... although they are my client and, yes, I have screened them...I do not want them rummaging through bathroom drawers.

Now that I am in the country and sell almost only farms and am out in God's great cathedral most days...some issues are never a problem...and other types of issues...well, let's say you have to get creative sometimes!!

I have them "go" at the office an instruct them I will take them to a public one if necessary. WE do NOT use them in homes. I don't want accusations of prescription theft.

Seems it should be OK. Checking afterwards is a good idea.

Sure, unless you want to ignore the call of the wild, bursting kidneys. Nothing gets a confession quicker than no sleep, no bathroom privileges and is powerful stuff.

Let them try out the plumbing, look around while in there doing their business and with a property owner neat and clean and not scuzzy rental neglected situation think this bathroom is spotless or I hope I don't get cooties. 

The bathroom, it may be in the most personal part of the home other than the master bedroom. A bathroom where you shut your door, where your kids will spend lots of time too. It is one very important room in the house and you better want them comfortable in it. Let them try it out.

I try to remind people to go before we leave the office and then schedule stops between homes if we have a full day of showing.  I discourage using the bathroom in a home, but sometimes it's just an emergency and it happens.

Beats having them use the back yard!

There are times when there is an emergency or a child who needs to go.  If the house is vacant I always have them check to be sure the water is on and of course toilet paper may be missing.  I had a vacant house that was a short sale, water turned off and twice found the bathroom had been used.  UGH.  If I have a vacant house now I put a note on the toilets that says please do not use.

I check to make sure the water is on. Yes, it happens.

As long as they leave it clean I am ok with it

In my area that is OK. This is a really rural area, and you can spend quite a bit of time on the road looking at properities with no break facilities around. 

I use the term "checking the plumbing" instead of using the facility.

As long as they keep it clean.

I always hoped it would not happen, but when you have to go, you have to go....

I expect that to happen occasionally. I even have a little roll of paper in my tote in case the home is empty and the bathroom is sans paper.

What you are gonna do? Say ''Hold it!''? It does not happen often but it happens. What do you do when you are in the same situation and you need to ''excuse'' yourself?

Nature happens.  Happened to someone who was looking at one of my listings yesterday.  They ended up writing an offer on it!

I never allow them to use in an occupied home, too many issues can arise.  I have on occasion allowed small children to use but not with adult going in with them.  If owner is around I always ask first.

parked and reading

I had a client once who became violently ill at a home I was showing him. There was no way to get him elsewhere so we just made sure the bathroom was clean when he was done, and ended our house hunting for the day.

You need to tell them advance that they will not be able to use the bathrooms. 

Luckily this has not been a problem for me. 

I make sure the water is running and there is tp. 

miscellaneous events trigger calls...what can you do?

Ginger Harper No, would you like strangers using your bathroom?

It is not ok. I have had sellers go nuclear when some used their bathroom while others have been ok with it. It is best to ask then to just use it. 

Make sure there is water and toilet paper.

It's happened to me twice.  Knock on wood, nothing came up missing. 

It happens. I think most people would be understanding.

When you gatta go, you gatta go!

Good morning Ginger. If someone has to go, the alternative is not very good. I don't see it as an option, it would be fine.

I had a young couple with 2 children.  I had to go to my car to get some toilet paper, as one of the children had an emergency call.  At least the home was vacant.  Whew!!!

Haven't had this happen yet, as our homes are all in the same community or not more than 20 minutes away, so we've never spent an entire day with clients Ginger Harper.  On vacant houses, I would not count on any TP being available, and you have to check to see if the water is turned on.   

I direct men to the back yard.  I encourage ladies to flush the toilet first, to ensure that the water is on.