SHOULD I LEAVE WHEN BUYERS COME TO LOOK AT MY HOUSE?
One thing that homeowners often wonder and ask is, "should I be home or is it better for me to leave when buyers come to look at my house?
When possible, I believe that it's best for you to leave when a buyer comes to look at your house. I also think that you should take your pets with you when you leave, and you may even consider finding a friend, neighbor or relative to care for your animals while your house is on the market. Here are my reasons for these beliefs:
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Home buyers should be able to take their time and look through your house multiple times, if they'd like. This will give them the opportunity to consider the layout of each room and discuss furniture placement. If a homeowner is present when buyers come to view a property, the home buyers often feel that they are intruding, and that they need to rush through the house, to be polite.
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It's difficult for home buyers to picture the house as their own, if you are there. They are automatically put on guard, psychologically speaking, when they enter a home that is currently occupied and the owners are present.
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Many people have allergies, especially to cats. If potential home buyers leave your home feeling ill, this will give them a negative impression or subconscious, negative association with your property. That is, without even realizing it, a home buyer will rule out your home based on how they "felt" about it.
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Very often, couples will discuss a home as they walk through it. This allows them to bounce ideas off of each other and share their thoughts about the positive and negative attributes of your home. It's important that home buyers feel free to do this while at the house, rather than trying to remember everything and discuss it at a later time. It helps them to cement your home in their memory and work through any misconceptions or concerns, and ultimately, to make a quick decision. Unfortunately, home buyers will not feel comfortable doing this if you are present.
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While this is hard for me to understand, not everyone is an animal lover, and some people are terribly afraid of dogs. Again, this can cause a home buyer to leave with a negative feeling about your home, without even realizing it. I have even had buyers that wanted to leave without completing the tour of a home, because a gated, barking dog made them too nervous. Yes, this is funny, sad and very true, all at the same time!
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4 Comments on Should You Leave When A Buyer Comes To See Your House?
You bring up some very interesting points Gina. I don't think it is to much to ask of a seller today.
Gina - it's really tough for buyers or an agent to feel comfortable with a home owner in the home; if they leave to walk the dog or go to the neighbors house those are both easy ideas.
comfort of the buyer to look at house is one issue.
the other is, i find, sellers and buyers engage in conversations that are often akward. the seller, or his personality, somehow becomes a part of the possible purchase and is evaluated as well.
it is really not necessary and i know its a pain to leave with two pets and three kids, but it is advisable.
Thanks Tom! Yes, it's a samll price to pay to get a fast sale!
Hi Carol~ I agree. You end up rushing through the house and that's never a good thing ; )
Hi Bianca~ So true and a great point! I've encountered those situations as well, and sometimes you just want to usher your buyer out of the house or throw ear muffs on them really quick- HA HA!
Thanks to all of you for reading and commenting.
Have a fantastic weekend!!
Gina