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Prepare my Val Vista Lakes Home For Sale, Should I leave when showing

By Bill Travis

Real Estate Agent with Captain Bill Realty, LLC

November 17, 2012 08:53 PM

Prepare my Val Vista Lakes Home For Sale, Should I leave when showing.

Yes, Sellers should leave their Val Vista lakes home when there is a showing, and I provide that advice for various reasons.

It prevents the buyers agent from being able to talk to the seller and gather information that the buyer can use against the seller during negotiation.
Your absence allows the potential buyers the freedom to take their time and view the home in a manner whereby they can picture themselves living in the home.
If you are there, the temptation is to point out the features of your Val Vista lakes home that are important to you. These features may not be important to the buyer.

The buyers and the buyers agent know what is important to the buyer and if they have the freedom to view the home alone, there is a better chance the buyer can determine that this is the right home for them, and write an offer.

I've been in homes where the seller would take us through the home and explain every little feature, and this has turned off the buyer so much that even if the home was a match, they will pass it up, simply because they were not allowed to really see if the home fit their needs. They were led to focus on the smaller detailed picture of amenities that are secondary to the main focus of the Val Vista Lakes home layout, where the bedrooms are located, the traffic pattern, the kitchen, great room and office/den locations.

Whether the flow of your Val Vista Lakes home is right for them is the first decision they have to make. If the flow is right, then they will focus on the amenities. But if forced to focus on the amenities first, they will not be able to see the big picture and the potential sale will be lost.

If you are home when your Val Vista Lakes home is being shown

If at all possible it is best to leave your Val Vista Lakes home when it's being shown. You can take your dog for a walk, or drive your car down the street and wait for the buyers to leave.

Val Vista Lakes home owners taking dog for walk

However, if you must be home, then it is best if you let them in, get the agents business card and then allow them to view the home on their own. You can sit somewhere comfortable, but out of their way. Sitting the back patio will work well because it gives them the freedom to discuss the home out of your hearing.

Do not answer any questions except questions they ask specifically about the house.
If any other questions are asked, simply say that your agent, Captain Bill, said to call him and he will answer all questions.

When you say this, the agent knows you have been prepared, and should not ask any more questions. Don't even talk about the neighbors. If asked, just repeat to call Captain Bill with all questions.

It is surprising how an innocent question and innocent answer can turn against you later on.

There is valuable information the buyers agent would like to learn, and that you do not want to share, because it will be used against you in the offer. Here are some examples:

How long has your Val Vista lakes home been on the market? (They can find this out, but if you answer, then you may begin talking more. The more you answer these innocent questions, the greater chance you will reveal something you shouldn't)
Have you lived in the community for a long time?
Why are you selling at this time?
Have you received any offers?
Where are you moving to?
How soon do you need to close escrow?
Have you made any repairs to your Val Vista Lakes home?

Remember, that each of these questions is designed to get you talking so you will divulge information that they will use against you in an offer. If they learn that you must move soon, or that there is a divorce situation, you can expect there will be a low offer because they will sense desperation.

To Repeat: