housing issue?

[fraidy cat]

A few moments ago, while I was trying to figure out what was up with my plants as they seem to have skipped their growth for the day, I saw a conversation in general chat regarding someone asking why their house has had visitors even though it was marked private--a house built by them that had been private from construction and had never had anyone else in it.

This caught my attention as my house is set to private to avoid 'trespassers.'
I was under the impression that a house set to private meant no one outside the owner's account was allowed inside without the owner's express permission (i.e., you had to go into the housing menu and select them as allowed...). However, if a house set to private can have visitors, I'm clearly mistaken or misunderstood something along the way.

So what's the skinny? Is a private house truly 'private'? Should I be concerned? Are there some steps I should take to guard against unwanted visitors?

And, just as an aside, we (as a community who loves to pancake and moan about the lack of new players on a regular basis) should probably make a more concerted effort to be helpful to those asking questions in general chat in-game, rather than smack-talking at every opportunity. Seriously, when someone asks a question and the only response is sarcastic and rude without even containing an answer, it doesn't help new player retention. Let's try to be a little more helpful and save the smack-talk for PvP, shall we?

 

[Capn Kranky]

Used to be critters and healers could spawn in the house, then get booted due to the private setting. Dunno if they ever fixed that or not, but this may explain a visitor bump.

 

[Cloak&Dagger]

And, just as an aside, we (as a community who loves to pancake and moan about the lack of new players on a regular basis) should probably make a more concerted effort to be helpful to those asking questions in general chat in-game, rather than smack-talking at every opportunity. Seriously, when someone asks a question and the only response is sarcastic and rude without even containing an answer, it doesn't help new player retention. Let's try to be a little more helpful and save the smack-talk for PvP, shall we?

Responding to this part first, you are preaching slightly to the wrong crowd. Most of the people that post on Stratics tend to be helpful in game and out. (despite our quarrels amongst ourselves at times)

Your house should be private as I am not aware of any bugs that allow you to enter a private home aside from being granted permission. Sometimes critters can spawn/walk into a private house but are usually removed fairly quick (with in a second perhaps?). If you are having issues outside the scope of that perhaps you should report it in game.

 

[MalagAste]

Wandering Healers tend to not care about settings... and you can't lock the door to keep them out, they walk in anyway.

Outside of that anyone friended or granted permission to your house counts.. and you may want to check if the other characters on the owner account don't give the house counts too.

It's possible that it's counting you visiting your own home.

 

[fraidy cat]

Thanks for the responses, all. I did some looking and only found a recent thread regarding some 'rubber banding' issue...nothing beyond that which would explain anything odd or out of the ordinary.

MY house is fine...I checked before logging out of game to come post here about the issue. My hope was that this poor soul would stumble upon the post and maybe find an answer here.

And sorry if I seemed as if I were preaching--I really wasn't meaning to, and realize that most Stratics posters are MORE than willing to lend a helping hand...this is why I always come here looking for answers rather than asking in general chat. Just thought I should throw the thought out, as it seems general chat has sunken even further into the gutter than it was at when I started a scant few months ago...

 

[James [W^H]]

Hi,

I have wondered about this very same question. My son and I have two houses that we placed and they have always been set to private. His has had 2 visitors and mine is at 6 visitors. Mine is a Keep and I have seen spawn inside on the grass area, but that has not changed the visitor count. My son's is a 18x18 pad so nothing can spawn on it.

I was wondering if someone passing by that is not on the list of co-owners was increasing the visitor count by double clicking the house sign.

Thanks, Katrena