A lighthearted peek behind the curtain of property viewings
We've all been there. The lovely couple just finished their tour of your waterfront gem, shook your hand warmly, and complimented everything from your choice of paint colours to your impeccable garden maintenance. "Absolutely gorgeous," they beamed. "Such a special property." Then they climb into their car, reverse out of your drive, and the real conversation begins.As a luxury waterfront broker in Lake of Bays I've heard it all—sometimes literally, when car windows are down on those perfect summer days. Here's what buyers actually say once they think you can't hear them.What they said to you: "The kitchen is so charming and full of character!"What they say in the car: "Did you see those cupboards? I think they're older than my mum. And why is there shag carpeting in a kitchen? Is that even legal?"What they said to you: "What a cozy living room!"What they say in the car: "Cozy? My walk-in wardrobe is bigger than that room. Where exactly would we put the telly?"What they said to you: "The dock is perfectly positioned for morning coffee."What they say in the car: "Did you notice its listing to the left? And those boards look like they'd collapse if a chipmunk sneezed on them. How much does a new dock cost? Do we even want to know?"What they said to you: "Such a peaceful neighbourhood."What they say in the car: "Did you see the gnome collection next door? There must be forty of them. And what was that music coming from across the lake—was that polka? At two in the afternoon?"What they said to you: "We love everything about it."What they say in the car: "Right, so if we sell my mother's ring, skip holidays for the next decade, and convince the children they don't really need university..."What they said to you: "The potential here is incredible."What they say in the car: "By potential, I mean we'd need to gut the entire house, rebuild the dock, landscape everything, and probably relocate that massive pine tree that's growing through the deck. Easy weekend project, right?"Him to you: "My wife adores the vintage bathroom fixtures."Her in the car: "If you think I'm sharing a bathroom with an avocado-green toilet from 1973, you've got another think coming."Her to you: "My husband thinks the workshop space is perfect for his hobbies."Him in the car: "Workshop? That shed looks like it was built by someone who'd never seen a spirit level. I wouldn't store lawn furniture in there."What they said to you: "It's wonderfully private and secluded."What they say in the car: "Private, yes. But did you notice we haven't seen a single shop, restaurant, or sign of civilisation for the past twenty minutes? What if we run out of milk? Or wine? Oh God, what if we run out of wine?"What they said to you: "We can picture ourselves here every summer."What they say in the car: "It's beautiful, but can you imagine the drive from Toronto every Friday in cottage traffic? We'd spend more time on Highway 400 than on the lake."Here's the thing—buyers aren't being dishonest when they're polite during viewings. They're being human. Nobody wants to hurt feelings or appear rude, especially when you've opened your home to strangers. The car conversation is where they process what they've seen honestly, weigh up the pros and cons, and figure out what they really think.As experienced real estate agents, The Richardson Team know’s this dance well. The key is reading between the lines, listening for genuine enthusiasm (it has a different quality than polite interest), and understanding that sometimes the most honest feedback comes days later, after they've had time to think.Of course, sometimes the car conversation goes like this:What they said to you: "It's absolutely perfect."What they say in the car: "Right, how quickly can we put in an offer? Because if we don't buy this place, I'll spend the rest of my life wondering 'what if.'"Those are the conversations that make all the polite fibbing worth it. Remember, whether you're buying or selling waterfront property in north Muskoka / Lake of Bays, honesty truly is the best policy—even if it takes a car ride to find it. And if you're ever ready to share what you really think about a property, I'm always here to listen.Ready to find your perfect waterfront home? Let's start an honest conversation—no car required.
