All too often in Atlanta real estate we work 24/7/365 to sell a home.  We sweat out appraisals, declining pools of buyers, compete against mountains of new homes and other resale homes, and negotiations that are nothing short of a blood sport.  Then when we get a deal the sellers linger around the home and insist they be their for the home inspection.  That's a bad idea!  Loose lips sink ships!  The seller thinks they are protecting their own property, but it has been my experience that most of the time they say the wrong things.   Whether they realize it or not, they prevent the purchaser from ever being able to savor all the pluses in the home.  Mentally the buyer has to envision the home as their own.  The sellers presence can prevent this from occurring. 

On the home inspection the sellers perhaps out of nerves will start talking.  In fact they may talk too much... speaking about the neighbors, local zoning, utility bills, assessments, recent events in the neighborhood, crimes, school scores, or the seller may inadvertently send the signal that they will not negotiate the home inspection. They vocalize their inflexibility.  The smartest thing a seller can do when showing a home, is get out of the home when showing.  The seller must avoid all conversation with the buyers and ask them to contact their agent.  The home seller needs to avoid being at the home inspection, it just creates friction, and conversation may through gas on the fire.  Keep in mind the seller has the right to attend, it is just not smart to do so.  Listing agents should instruct their buyers and sellers for the best course of action.  Otherwise, months of work can be lost and result in no offer or a "Termination and Release" from the purchase offer.