Special offer

The Seller says I'll be there for Every showing!

By
Real Estate Agent with Smart Green Realty

I told her that that was not a good idea. She is a retired college professor. She is very interested in the process. Her home is a charming beach home in a bohemian community. She wants to point out the special features and tell people about the history of the area. What would you tell her about why sellers should NOT be there for showings?

Comments (4)

Ron Racca
One Dockside Realty Group - Myrtle Beach, SC
Street Smart, Market Wise

Lol. sit down with her.  Tell her that buyers will feel uncomfortable with the seller present, and won't freely express HOW they feel about the property because they don't want to openly offend the seller.

Reassure her that you can communicate all the attributes of the house and its "rich" history to potential clients....that's your job!

You want to get feedback be it positive or negative and take appropriate action (if negative) to get the home sold....not going to happen if she is there.  Also, she could say something that totally turns the buyer off.....

May 28, 2015 03:41 AM
zeta cross
Smart Green Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Getting Greener Makes Your home worth more!

That is what I am looking for: Stories where sellers said something that totally turned the buyers off! Perfectly smart, well-meaning sellers can do that. 

May 28, 2015 04:24 AM
Jo Webber
Phoenix, AZ
Every Client is Our Only Client

Could you make her part of the process by asking her to write a one page story on the history of the area and neighborhood?

Then explain people will not open the kitchen cabinet doors, closets or check under the sinks when the owner is there. Buyers sometimes feel they are intruding even when the sellers are not there, and they won't really look at the property or ask questions while viewing the home. Questions mean interest.

May 31, 2015 05:53 AM
zeta cross
Smart Green Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Getting Greener Makes Your home worth more!

They have done marketing studies (see Inman) that show that buyers only spend half the time in the property if the owner is present than they would if given free run of the place. Buyers resent having even personable sellers present. Most will chat with the sellers and be polite but that does not mean that they like having them there. Love your company motto, Jo Webber! "Every client is our only client." Good one!

May 31, 2015 06:39 AM