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Should The Seller Be Present At Showings?

Some of my clients who still live in the homes their planning on selling feel that it's not a big deal to be at their home when I or another agent is showing their home to a potential buyer. Let it be known...this is a bad idea.

Buyers feel more comfortable looking at homes when sellers are not hanging around. They feel more relaxed, can take their time to look around, and feel free to discuss the home amongst themselves and with the agent.

Speaking of agents, they are more in tune with what a particular buyer is looking for than the seller is. The seller may be really proud of their newly remodeled kitchen and feel compelled to focus on that when talking to the buyer, when what the buyer is really impressed with is the home's three car garage.

When a showing is scheduled, the seller should hop over to the neighborhood coffee shop for a few minutes and let their agent do the work they've been hired to do.

Posted by Linda Lane-White on 04/24/2008 01:25 PM

Comments (10)

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10 Comments on Should The Seller Be Present At Showings?

I always request the sellers not be present. Buyers as you say are more relaxed and don't feel too snoopy when the sellers aren't there.

04/24/2008 01:27 PM

by Bob Cumiskey, US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor (A 1 Connection Realty, Inc.)

Linda, Seller's should definitely BE GONE while their home is being shown. I also think that the listing agent shouldn't be there either if a buyer is with their own agent.

04/24/2008 01:28 PM

by Owensboro KY Real Estate Specialist Vickie McCartney Broker,ASP,ABR (Home Realty GMAC Real Estate Owensboro Kentucky)

Its better when they are not there.

04/24/2008 01:31 PM

by Anthony(Tony) Whalen (Appleseed Realty,GMAC Realty)

The only time a Listing Agent should be on the property is if there maybe questions to boundary lines other than that never should the sellers be there..... they might be well meaning but they will definately mess with the process and intimidate the buyer some what

04/24/2008 01:49 PM

by Joe Adams (Major Mortgage USA/Branch Manager)

I totally understand. I explain to my sellers is like trying on an outfit in a fitting room. You do not want the store owner in the room looking at you and telling you all about the outfit. You want to try it on in your own privacy and comfort.

04/24/2008 01:58 PM

by Camarillo CA Real Estate Agent/ Mana Tulberg (Beach View Real Estate)

Hey, I like that explanation, Mana!!

04/24/2008 02:14 PM

by Linda Lane-White (Keller Williams Realty)

what if the seller is the real estate agent who is selling his/her own home?

05/08/2008 06:06 PM

by Echo

Hmmmm. That's pretty interesting. I would THINK that would be ok. An agent should know what to say and what not to say. Your thoughts?

05/08/2008 11:51 PM

by Linda Lane-White (Keller Williams Realty)

Linda,

Some of the shortest showings are when the Seller insist to be there at the showing. When I am asked, I have no problem telling them why we stayed so short.....the looks I get.

05/09/2008 08:16 AM

by Dan Brudnok - Realtor, e-PRO, ABR, CSP - Chester County RE Professional (Keller Williams - Exton - PA License Number #RS225179L )

Linda,

I agree that the Seller should not be home during a showing. IMHO , if the agent is trying to sell his or her own home, then maybe they could have another realor friend there to answer the questions of potiential buyers. Just because you are a RE Agent/Consultant does not mean that you will not be emotional regarind the sale of your own home. I think it is something like "a Dr is the worst Patient". This is just my own opion though, I am sure that a lot of realtors have sold there own homes in the past and will again in the future and I would be interested in how they handled it..

Take Care & Have a Great '08!

05/09/2008 08:54 PM

by Sylvie Dolley, ePRO Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

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