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Should Sellers Leave Their Home During Showings?

Should Sellers Leave their Homes During Showings Yesterday, a boisterous, opinionated seller drove my buyers and I out of his house.

This isn't the first time that I have experienced this type of situation.

Should listing agents ask their sellers to leave when buyers come to look at their home?

A buyer must feel 'comfortable' when they walk into a home.

They must be able to look at the amenities of the home at their leisure.

They must be able to envision themselves living in the home. They must have time to get a 'feel' for the home.

Often times listing agents have sellers remove excessive family photos, so that a buyer can 'see' themselves living in a home.

Upon walking through the front door of a home yesterday, the seller gave us a speech and proceeded on with a story of a previous occupant who had lived in the home. As this story became long and more drawn out and not relevant to the property, we starting inching our way to the back door. Finally, we graciously interrupted him, excused ourselves and made a beeline for the backyard, without looking at the house first.

The seller followed us into the yard.

"What is up with this guy?" the buyer whispered. Upon returning inside, the seller followed us from room to room, smoking a cigarette. The home reeked of cigarette and sickeningly sweet cigar smoke. It was a bit nauseating.

The seller did not stop talking. He was loud, boisterous and a bit rude. It was an uncomfortable situation for the buyers.

After seeing only a portion of the home the buyers indicated that they were finished.

"Thank you," I said.

'You're not finished, you didn't see the whole house.'

"We're finished, " I responded.

He took one look at the buyers face, 'Well, I can see that she's more than ready to get out of here!'

My buyers ruled out this house because they really felt uncomfortable with this controlling seller, therefore they did not have an opportunity to see the entire property. (Not to mention the wife is allergic to cigarettes.)

So, sellers, please leave your home during showings. Or, if you are unable or uncomfortable in doing so, then step out into the backyard to allow the buyer some room to breathe and to get a true "feel" for the property. Otherwise, they will not be able to see the home in it's best light.

Often times sellers that stay and hover are not doing the home justice.

Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate

Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.

Posted by Sandy Shores, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing on 10/11/2009 12:30 PM

Comments (19)

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Originally posted at: Melbourne Real Estate News, Brevard County Florida by Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor: Should Sellers Leave Their Home During Showings?

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19 Comments on Should Sellers Leave Their Home During Showings?

OCT

Sandy,

This same issue comes up with home inspections. Sometimes a seller, being home, is great. Other times it is one big dark cloud.

I guess he really does not want to sell. I insist that my sellers are out for showings. I have experienced sellers who try to sell their house to me the buyers agent, even as the buyers are leaving. Their agents ignore what I tell them.

Sandy

Outstanding post, seller's should leave the home and let the professional show the home.

good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

I like for the sellers to be there but with strict orders. Set in the living room and watch TV or sat outisde. Answer any questions that you have placed in the disclosures and about the area and why you like living here. But don't get into negotiations or suggestions PERIOD. Sellers have lived in the home and I have seen agents say the dumbest things while trying to make small talk like how old they think the roof is, or what kind of plumbing is in the house and the best i swhy the buyer should buy it when the agent lives 20 miles away.

I definately do not want my sellers in the home while showing. I have seen some that would shoot themselves in the foot by revealing too much about the motivation to sell, or as you described, made the buyers so uncomfortable that they never had the chance to experience the home. If I need input from the sellers after the showing, I know where to find them.

Oh Sandy, this sounds like a very uncomfortable situation! Did you let the listing agent know!!?? Even with very polite and quiet sellers in the house, it is uncomfortable for buyers, as hard as it might be - the sellers need to go Bye Bye during the showings :-)

I have ALL my sellers go and find something to do. Take a walk. Go to a restaurant. Go watch a movie. But you can't be there. People do need to be able to make an informed decision without someone literally breathing down their necks.

Sandy, I think the seller in your case was not the norm. That kind of seller should not be there. And of course if he wants to sell, he should smoke outside.

Generally I would prefer the seller not to be home however, if they sit outside and be quiet while I bring clients through, that's ok with me-less desirable, but ok. Sometimes the seller can answer a question the buyer has when asked. Otherwise mum is the word. I've also seen buyer and seller strike up a conversation not related to the house which sparked an upbeat friendly conversation that allowed the buyer and seller to get to know each other which worked out well.

If I had my choice...no sellers in the house.

Sandy,

Seller mistake 101: Being home while buyer is seeing the house. Seller mistake 102: talking to the buyer about the house.

I have had sellers stay in the house but they stay away from the buyers.

Ann Hayden in chilly Wildwood, MO

Sandy, What a shame to hear this type of behavior. I believe some people have no idea what they are telling people. I do know my friend was looking at a condo and asked the seller where they were moving to. The answer? To the new, nicer condos in the next town!

OCT

Sandy, this is a prime example of O.C.D. not to mention absolute rudeness! This seller will never sell his home if he doesn't gat out for showings......and the cigarette smoking well I won't even go there!!

A potential buyer will never be able to take emotional possession if the seller is there.

Sandy - I almost always recommend that sellers leave the property or go for a walk during showings. I have had a couple exceptions which made that difficult at times. Twice in the case of family members who were in poor health or something of that nature.

Interestingly enough, I did have an instance where the seller and buyer bonded during a showing, and both ended up doing double back flips to make sure that transaction came together. They saw themselves as some sort of team:-) But at the end of the day, that may not be the best way for a buyer to get the best deal, and the seller to get the most for their property.

OCT

I feel sorry for the listing agent! What a disaster. That seller sounds awful. Maybe the term seller is the wrong word. If he keeps that behavior up- he won't sell the house. Good luck with your buyers. ~ Amy Jones

OCT

Steven, I can see where it may be difficult if a seller is home during the whole home inspection.

Corinne, It's best for the sellers to leave. That way buyers have the time they need to view the property.

Lou, I'm with you on that one.

Joyce, Thanks for stopping by and for your input.

Jim, I like when the sellers leave the property also. It works out best that way.

Mary, It does make a very uncomfortable situation for a buyer. They preferred to just leave, rather than view the rest of the house.

Robert, It truly is about looking at the home, isn't it?

Nick, I have also had very informative, friendly sellers that gave us info that helped the buyer make a decision to purchase the home.

Ann, It can be a fine line when the sellers are home during a showing.

Carole, I think that often times people speak without really thinking too much about what they are saying - so true.

Caren, An overbearing seller does not help sell his property at all.

Colleen, I agree, it is quite difficult for the buyer to be able to envision themselves in the home if the seller is hovering.

Myrl, Stepping out to take a walk is a great idea. Although, like you mentioned, I have also had the same thing happen, where a buyer and seller hit it off magically. The house was in a multiple offer situation, and the sellers were insistent that they wanted my buyers to have it (they had all grown up in the same hometown-what a small world).

Amy, I think that it's important to remind sellers to leave for showings. I think it makes it best for everyone this way.

Sandy, I feel No one wins when a seller decides to be a part of the showing. I have in over 10 long years never had a seller be an attribute to the process and so many times cost themselves a sale...
Thanks for making me think on Wednesday...
Paul