Sorry Mr Listing Agent, your SELLER just lost you a Buyer !!!!!

Yes, buyers totally overlook a home when the seller is home.  Sometimes sellers think it's OK to be in the yard or in the garage.  Worse yet it when the seller is a Realtor or used to sell homes!  Lately, they seem to be the worse offenders, you think they would know better! Features of a home, no matter how nice may or may not be relevant to a buyer.

I'm going with JPF on this one...TASER! 

Other Viable Options:
Stun Gun
Billy Club
$10
Shove Down Basement Stairs
Lock in Hall Closet

If it is a short sale some sellers are riding out the short sale on a freebie paying no loan payments. It can turn into a nightmare for the listing agent. Also it could be a tenant and they don't want it to sell because they will be looking for somewhere else to live if sold. 

Got to agree with you on this one!  Sellers while well intentioned in most cases can be quite problematic during a showing.  I agree that sellers shouldn't be within 10 when their house is being shown.  You never know when a perfectly innocent statement will just completely turn off an otherwise interested buyer.

This is a really good point. It is best for the Seller to leave the home or step outside so the Prospective Purchaser can visualize themselves in the home and enjoy discovering for themselves the extra special features.

I agree that the buyer would be turned off when they are unable to view the home without distractions. It's hard enough to envision themselves in the home with 'stuff' in it....let alone screaming and knowing the seller is watching their every move.

Well said,  Sheldon! I always encourage my seller clients to not be present for showings, so the buyer agent can do his/her job and the buyer can feel comfortable in discussing the property with the agent.

Sheldon, 

Bummer!  Sad how some sellers just don't get it and feel like they are being "helpful" and that this will help them SELL their home that their darn agent just hasn't been able to get sold.  Mind boggling and so untrue, but it happens every day.

All the best, Michelle

I hope you shared this story with the Listing Agent. 

Been here before. I had to cut the showing short. And yes the LA was made aware of this as well. They didn't like it either.

Great example of what not to do to get your house sold!  Love the picture too, although I wouldn't enjoy the little love in person!

I have to agree with you and my next question would be why didn't the seller hear that screaming kid?  After all you are a guest in the house & should be treated accordingly.  I had the sellers children hit me after opening their door to the bedroom to show the buyer once.  I was not a happy camper :-(

I always say, "The quickest way to kill a sale is to have a seller present".

It's kind of hard for your buyers to picture themselves living in the house when there's people already living there who won't leave.  I've never had a buyer react positively in this situation...they just want to leave NOW.

I've had sellers who were told time and again to vacate when an appointment was scheduled. They don't always listen. Then they wonder why they've had 80 showings with no offer. Duh!

I have a seller who like to "show" his house to potential buyers.  I've asked him to just step out, wait on the patio, take a walk for a few minutes and let the buyers agent do his or her job.  

His response?  "No one knows the house as well as I do!"  Also, "There are valuables in the house that I don't want stolen!"

I've even shown him the feedback from the showing agents where they said he's not doing himself any favors by being present for showings!

It's unfortunate that this happened. The agent needs to do a much better job working with the seller and teach them what to do when a potential buyer is coming to view the property. My guess is this isn't the first time the seller has acted this way.