There are certain things that one should never do in this life. Call it a sort of “anti-bucket list,” if you will, an antithesis of a list of goals, dreams and experiences that we’d like to achieve in our lifetimes before kicking the bucket. These are things that nobody should want to do (or do again, as the case may be) in a lifetime. Examples would include: ride the bobsled at Utah’s Olympic Park, purchase off-brand Oreos, test expired milk, buy one-ply toilet paper, peel an orange with a papercut, test how far your car can go on empty, stand on a swivel stool to paint the ceiling or try to change someone else.

Although this list is certainly not all-inclusive, they are all items I have unfortunately tried. My hope is that I can prevent someone else from doing the same. When selling a home, there is also a list of things that the buyer should never do. While there are unquestionably specific accommodations that a seller must make for a buyer, especially during the due-diligence period when all the inspections are being facilitated, an accepted offer should not presume unlimited access to the seller’s home.

Most home sales take place while the sellers are still residing in the home. While there is an understanding that there is an agreed upon date of occupancy for the buyer, until that date is reached, and all the way through the process until the property has been recorded in the name of the new owners, the home still belongs to the seller. It is for this reason that certain boundaries should be respected.

We all know that it is a very exciting time for the buyers when they have secured an accepted offer on a home. However, there comes a time, after all inspections have been done, that the scheduled visits should be kept to a minimum, and the unannounced pop-bys should not happen at all. It is found to be most copacetic to get all measurements, estimates, etc. during the time of inspection so the sellers can then focus on packing up and moving themselves without having that time interrupted every other night to pack up their seven children, two dogs and the pet snake and head out during dinner time so the buyer can show their cousin’s nephew the home.

Another big faux pas in the world of buyers is to request to move in early — before settlement. Please, for the love of everything holy, do not do this. This is bad business for everyone. It is a huge liability for the sellers who still hold the insurance on the home, and it could result in a loss to the buyers as well. Even if the buyer requests to simply “move a few things into the garage,” don’t do this. The only exception would be if a short-term rental agreement is in place.

Although it is common for a piece of the buyer’s mail to be delivered to the home before closing, it is not the seller’s job to begin collecting and storing the buyer’s Amazon packages. Again, the sellers are not responsible for anyone’s “stuff” except their own. Even if they are nice.

Finally, it is fine for the new buyer to plan renovations to the home; however, the renovations should, in no way, take place before the title has been transferred. Imagine starting a demo process before closing and then finding out the buyer lost a job, or some other circumstances changed at the last minute that prevents closing from taking place. It would be a sad day for all.

However, if this entire rant is for nothing, then it is only because of the most obvious items on the anti-bucket list, that of trying to change someone else.

Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com.