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How Long Does A Showing On My House Last? Sellers Want To Know

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Real Estate Agent with Platinum Realty SP00229578 2007027091

How long will a showing last? Sellers want to know how long showings last when their home is listed for sale. They need to know how long they'll need to stay away from their home while the buyers are viewing it. Open the door and let the buyers in 

Every buyer is different. Some will know in 5 seconds if they like or don't like the house while others may take 20 minutes to decide. If they do like the house, some buyers will stay in it for an hour or longer. They will be figuring out where every piece of their furniture will go, which drawer in the kitchen will house their silverware, which kids will go in which bedroom, and where the litter box will go. 

Buyers may also be deciding what changes will need to be made to make the house work for them. They may discuss paint colors. They may talk about expanding a bathroom or putting in a patio. We may spend some time running up and down the stairs to see if it might be possible to move the washer & dryer from the basement to the bedroom level. 

If there is only one buyer, that individual will be able to make decisions more quickly than a couple. Two people buying a house together have to consider one another's opinions and tastes which will probably not be exactly the same. They may have to discuss compromises so each person can be happy in the home. 

Experienced buyers will be able to make decisions more quickly than first-time home buyers. They already know what works for them and what doesn't. Couples who've been married for 30 years will be able to come to an agreeable compromise faster than newlyweds. Newlyweds are still learning one another's likes and dislikes while the 'old married couple' already know each other's tastes, habits, and proclivities.

A good rule of thumb is for sellers to stay away for 2 hours when their house is being shown. This gives the buyers time to be comfortable and feel at home in the house. It also allows for traffic and previous home showings as their agent will probably set up appointments to see between 3 and 6 homes over a 2 to 4 hour period.  

Posted by

Maria Morton,Realtor© Call 816.560.375Eight Mobile.     Google Maria 

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Maria Morton of Chartwell Kansas City Realty is a licensed Real Estate Agent in KS & MO.  816-877-8200 Office 

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Comments(10)

Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Maria -- thank you for putting together a very thorough explanation of the time it takes to show a home.

Jan 31, 2013 03:49 AM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Maria - That's a question that is almost impossible to answer.  I have had buyers that turn around and walk out after just a few seconds and others that seem like they never want to leave.  As you pointed out there are lots of variable in trying to answer this question.   Great post. 

Jan 31, 2013 03:57 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Great answer to a great question.  Thanks, Maria.  Some people take forever to view a house they never want to buy (I know this from Chief Cook), they just like to criticize.  Others know what they want and get through quickly....unless they love the home.

Jan 31, 2013 06:41 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Maria - That's one of those questions to which the only answer is "It all depends."

Allowing 2 hours to be away from the house is probably a good rule of thumb.

Jan 31, 2013 08:40 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Maria, this is a common question, and tell the sellers to park down the street for two reasons - they will know when to come home, and they can see how long the buyers are in the house.   The time spent usually will tell me if the buyers are interested.   Good post!

Jan 31, 2013 08:45 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I once had a seller who had the flu.  2 hours had passed and when she went past her home the buyers and their parents were all sitting around her kitchen table... chatting.. I called the listing agent to ask if they could wrap it up for the evening because the sellers was sick.  She didn't answer her phone.  The poor seller drove around about another 45 minutes... The good new is -- they ended up buying the house.

Jan 31, 2013 09:08 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

I always tell them to give a 2 hour window, also, but, as you said, sometimes 2 minutes is enough. Great post - buyers need to be told about this!

Jan 31, 2013 07:38 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Maria, I also try to ask for a two hour window, but am happy to call the seller to let them know when we are finished.

Feb 13, 2013 07:42 AM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Maria, great post! Everone is different. I have buyers who are in and out in a few minutes and others who look at every house as if they're going to buy it. If the house sits on a large piece of land, you can expect more time. Folks who want a large lot will generally want to walk it and check it out completely.

Feb 22, 2013 11:00 PM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

Sometimes there are neighbors who give a report to the seller about how long the buyer stayed in the house. Longer time means more interest, and shorter time less interest, is the perception. This is not necessarily true, and I consider a second showing or positive feedback more an indicator of interest that how long they stayed for the showing.

Feb 22, 2013 11:25 PM