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Should Lakeland FL Homeowners Be Present During Showings?

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. BK646565

Should Lakeland FL Homeowners Be Present During Showings?

 
Homeowners be present during showingGenerally I say "No".  Unless there is a very good reason that the owners are there.  I do represent buyers and sellers and when I show homes in Lakeland FL before I enter the home I knock on their door and the buyers always ask, are they there?  Clearly in the buyers mind they are hoping nobody is home.  When the sellers are present, the buyer immediately becomes intimidated and visits are short.  Nor have I ever sold a home when the homeowner is present and followed us like a little puppy.

If for some reason a homeowner must be at home, then I strongly suggest that they step outside, not in the next room.  Even if the homeowner is in the next room, buyers are still very uncomfortable viewing the home.  

Homeowners also may feel they could add value to selling by answering any questions the buyer may have at the time of showing.  Experienced buyer's agents know how to ask questions and get the true motivation when it comes to selling which may hurt a homeowner when they sell the home. In addition, there is always pressure answering questions without the consultation of the listing agent therefore it is best to go through the listing agents as the homeowner can answer questions without pressure.

Another selling objective for buyer's agents is having buyers remain in the home visualizing and begin to process the home's information and where they can place their furniture.... this never happens when owners are present.

 
I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR(R) at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland FL real estate landscape and all it has to offer.

 

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Copyright © 2012 By Petra Norris *Should Lakeland FL Homeowners Be Present During Showings?*

Comments (12)

Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Should Homeowners Be Present During Showings?

No, no and no!

Good post, Petra
Phil

Jun 08, 2012 08:42 PM
Insurance Solutions Unlimited,LLC
Insurance Solutions Unlimited, LLC - Winter Haven, FL
Insurance Solutions Unlimited,LLC

Petra, I would agree that sellers should not be present during a showing. I wouldn't want to view home with the seller there 

Jun 08, 2012 08:50 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Petra, what a kiss of death that is when the homeowners remain in the home!  Stepping outside for a walk is a must...as Lakeland FL short sale agents know showing a home well and with the expectation of buyers wanting to talk freely is a must for a house sale to happen...good share

Jun 08, 2012 08:56 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

No way should homeowners be present during the showings.  Nothing bud bad can come of that.                                        

Jun 08, 2012 09:51 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Petra, all good reasons why a homeowner should not be present during a showing.

Jun 08, 2012 10:32 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes...if they are properly bound and gagged...lol Just kidding...It is subjective. the agent has to read the circumstances and assess it

Jun 08, 2012 11:31 PM
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Preferably, no.

However if it is too much trouble to leave, or I cannot narrow the time down to where it is convenient, I am OK if the seller stays, as long as they remove themselves and do not chat with us.

Eve in Orlando

Jun 09, 2012 01:59 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

This is a great lesson for sellers.  Because it's their home they don't understand how uncomfortable someone else is with them in it.  Buyers may feel they are intruding, some will immediately clam up and shut down all their senses.  I've had some buyers not even be able to remember what a house was like at all - because the sellers had them so unnerved by their presence.  Best not to take the chance of giving a buyer the "hebbie jeebies".

Jun 09, 2012 02:21 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Petra - I think it is so important for the buyer that the seller leave the house and let the buyer look around.

Jun 09, 2012 03:40 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Petra

Well, it can be a mixed bag. Generally I would say no - mu buyer clients need their time to investigate. But I have found that buyers can also learn quite a bit about the home, etc. from the sellers, and sometimes things that jeopardize the sellers ability to negotiate.

I prefer they are NOT there, but if they are we try to maximize the opportunity. I find that most buyers are not comfortable with selelrs hanging around, especially those that hover or feel they they to give the guided tour.

Jeff

Jun 09, 2012 04:20 PM
Bas Panch
SCV Home Buyer - Valencia, CA

Hi Petra,

Great advice! I agree with you one hundred percent, sellers should as much as possible NOT be present during showings. Thanks for sharing this great post, keep up the good work and I wish you more success as a top Lakeland FL short sale agent.

Jun 11, 2012 02:31 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Petra,I agree with all their comments.Personally, I prefer the sellers should be more professional and make the agent handle the showings to the prospective buyer.It's hard to imagine the sellers would be there the whole time,its kinda awkward.Anyway,this is another great post from you.I really enjoyr following you here in AR world.Keep it up and stay top notch Lakeland FL Short Sale Agent.

 

Jun 13, 2012 04:31 AM