This happens so much in movies, it’s probably a trope by now. But if someone actually knocked on your door and said this was their childhood home, would you let them in to take a look around?
No. You have NO idea who this person is. Could be someone trying to see what’s in the house so they can come back later and rob the place. Could be a murderer, could be a rapist, could be anybody. No, no way no how.
I would say it would depend on the person and if I was alone.
The kids who used to live in our house until two years ago, came over trick-or-treating. They only leave a mile away. They wanted to see their old playroom, and with their parents’ permission our daughter took them for a tour. She also added new marks to the wall where they had been charting their heights. Their eight year old was tearing up as she left.
We once went to see our old house in Pakistan, when I was 11. The people couldn’t have been nicer. The house had been extensively renovated in the four years since we had moved out. The new owners gave us a couple of things they had found left in the garden.
I was going to use Suspension of disbelief, since we bought from the builder and there isn’t anyone who lived here before us, and vote Absolutely. I think I would in other home I’ve lived in. But then I looked around and thought we’d really want to straighten up a bit first. So I copped out and voted Other.
We’ve done it. No one murdered us. They appreciated looking around, although it’s all been remodeled.
I have done. Our house was built in 1880, with later additions and a major interior renovation in the 1920s. Twice, previous owners or relatives thereof have shown up to say hello and reminisce about the house. One was a relative of the fellow who lived in and did the renovation of the house in the 1920s. Another was a more recent occupant, who returned later to give us a piece of artwork based on the house – she had wanted to check us out before giving it to us!
I don’t generally answer the door if I’m not expecting anyone, and I always live in apartments, so it wouldn’t come up. But this did happen 14 years ago when I still lived at my parents’ house. Even then, my stepdad had lived there for 20-30 years, and I think these were the only other people who had owned the house. My parents did let them in, which pissed me off because I had a newborn and was still in my pajamas and didn’t really feel like having strangers suddenly inspect my room and my daughter’s room. If I ever wanted to see an old house of mine, I’d leave a note with my contact info, not just knock on the door and expect a tour that second!
On the plus side, those people didn’t kill us or rob or us or anything.
Sure. Our cabin was previously owned by a large family so people show up every couple of years who used to spend time here and I let them in to stroll down memory lane.
I voted Absolutely!, the second to do so. (Who was the first, was it Atlas?
I’ve been back to my childhood homes in Latham NY, and West Hartford CT, and both times was let in and walked around. It was a great time-warp experience. The occupants were very gracious.
But yeah, I acknowledge the security risk. When they’re at the front door, if they didn’t arouse my suspicions, then I’d certainly ask screening questions beforehand: When did you live here? And, Which bedroom was yours, and Oh really, so then which bathroom did you use the most?
I voted yes as well, it has happened wasn’t a big deal to us but it was to them.
We bought our home from the original owners, and they had it built when they were in their 50s, so it wasn’t anyone’s childhood home. However, if the old owners happened to come by (if they’re still alive, since they’d be in their 90s) we’d let them in because we’d love to get their reaction to what we’ve done to the place.
I’d like to go back to my childhood home and see if the stuff my dad built is still in there. My folks sold the place in '79, so who knows what may have changed since then. But I’d still like to see it. Dunno if the current owner would permit it, tho.
I do not answer the door unless I’m expecting someone, so a call ahead would be necessary. I do not answer my phone if I do not know the number.
So, no.
I’m another grump who never answers the door unless I’m expecting someone. Also I bought my house in 1993 from a guy who bought it in 1972. The people who lived here before that are probably getting on and wouldn’t pose a threat. I’d let them in if they caught me walking up the steps.
I’m the original owner of my house, so that wouldn’t happen to me. My brother, however, paid a visit to our childhood home, and the owner’s showed him around.
That’s really cool.
It must be sad to be so paranoid.
Have you ever considered educating yourself on actual risks? (Hint: you’re in far more danger from people you know than from people you don’t know.)
I know the people I bought the house from, and some of the people who rented here at one point, so it’d be ok.
The neighbors know everyone who have lived here so I’d hope that maybe the ex tenants would contact them and they can contact me.
That’s what we did when my family visited dad’s old home ( for grandpas sake- dad was not too I to it). Our family knows the family that still lives across the street so they helped us arrange a visit.
Not long after I moved in to this house I had a knock at my door. It was an older couple who stopped by and were just thrilled to see the house occupied again and being spiffed up. (It had sat empty on the market for several years before I bought). They liked the work I was doing and then gave ME a tour, telling me all sorts of neat histories of the house. I had a great time. 
No, because whoever lived in my house before me and my family are all long dead by now. I don’t let dead people in my house.