Good morning Jim- You are so right aboaut sellers leaving when buyers are there. the last time I had a seller present she told everone about her husband leaving her, ect. The buyers used the information to try to low ball the situation. It was not good.

Pam Mabe   Sellers are not thinking.  I had one seller years ago tell the buyers  "The offers are rolling in!"  The result was a potential buyer walked away because they did not want to get into a bidding war.

Jim, you are right on. We had one deal almost go south after the seller and buyers met at the inspection. Turns out the buyers didn't like the sellers one bit and were not sure they wanted to buy a home from them.

I'm sorry to hear that your seller killed the deal after you worked so hard. The graphic fits.

People are their own worst enemies at times.  I have seller's point out details that turned the buyers off and remove their home from consideration on a showing.  The good point to all of these, is for just this reason, real estate agents aren't going to be irrelevant as long as home buying and selling involves real people!

Jim- I agree so much!  Go away when someone is viewing the home!     

Jim, I agree that the sellers should not be around, thay could mess things up by accident. better safe than sorry.

Jim,

I have one realtor who instills this into the seller right from the listing agreement.  It's a significant reason why they hire you instead of trying to FSBO the deal.

Mike in Tucson

Jim, I agree I don't like the seller to be in the property during viewing or inspections.

I agree with you Jim. The seller shouldn't be around but they do feel like they have to defend something, if found.

Jim - I totally agree. And likewise I tell my Sellers at the Listing that they are never to be there during a showing, the appraisal or inspections.  If they want someone there during the inspection I will go and sit in the car.

Posted by Kathy Carson, RE/MAX 1st Olympic, Lynchburg, VA

Jim, You are so right.  If at all possible, it's always a good thing to keep the neighbors away.  I try to tell my sellers to ask their friendly neighbors to stay home and out of the back yard when the house is being sold.  All too often the neighbors will spill al the bad about the neighborhood or the house. 

Jim, I go so far as to say neither the buyer nor seller need be present at a home inspection.  The inspector can give his report to the buyer later. 

Sellers present during inspections or showings is never a good idea.  It always makes the buyers feel awkward.    

Jim ~ I think that Sellers in today's market are a bit nervous - and will sometimes shoot themselves in the foot without realizing it. As their fiduciary, it is our job to advise them that this can damage them, rather than help.

Hi Jim, you are so right. Sellers never need to be there for any part of the process. Even closing has issues as my last one where the Sellers son told my client we were stealing the house. During that time we naturally had a delay which was tense. Smoothed the feathers and all was happy.

I try hard to avoid listing homes if the sellers' indicate they would like to be present for showings, but nothing is worse than them staying for the inspection!

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX, Vancouver WA  You are so right!  Sometimes it is a chemical thing between buyer and sellers...not a good situation.!

Vickie Nagy San Ramon California Real Estate ABR CRS  The listing agent that had absolutley no experience... never advised the seller to go out to the movies.  In many cases it is the inexperienced listing agent that caused the mess by not coaching the seller on the best course of action.

Joe Virnig, "No Ordinary Joe   Listing agents need to be more pro-active in the right advice.  It does not matter if the home is priced right, staged...sellers need to keep out of the way and shut their mouths!

Jeremy Blanton- Myrtle Beach Real Estate ,Coldwell Banker Chicora Buyers need to mentally move in...to buy the home.  They cannot do it with the seller lurking and looming...

Frank Rubi Louisiana Real Estate-Homes for Sale They need to be someplace else.

LaNita Cates  Get out of the way, and leave the house.  In fact it is good to get out of the neighborhood!

Kathy Carson Lynchburg, VA, RE/MAX REALTOR, Bedford Co, Campbell Co    So right!    The listing agent can show up!

Bob Cumiskey, Your Sun City Center Realtor   You are right, I've had more than one deal killed by a nosey neighbor!

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR Well a good inspector can give tips to buyer for maintinence during the inspection....the seller can run a gret thing!

Darleen McCullen, Broker-Raleigh, NC Real Estate  I always tell my sellers to get lost.

Keith & Robin Perry - REALTOR® -West Metro Atlanta  I hate those closing where the sellers continue to talk about the wrong things...I heard of one deal that was cancelled before the deal was done because the seller was running their mouth about BS!

Amber Curran  In this market they need to not be present!

Jim, you are so right!  The inspection is the buyers' time with their new home - a chance to get to know it better.  If you have lurking, territorial sellers, that doesn't always happen as it should. 

 Patricia Kennedy  Patricia....many they think it is about control.  Thge deal does not end with a written offer...it isn't over until it closes.

I agree with you Jim.  I have seen many buyers do themselves in when sellers are around as well.  Its just better to minimize as much direct contact as possible, making it preferably none.

 Denver Real Estate, Highlands Ranch Real Estate, Steve Scheer  I think it is smart business.   Obviously, some new and inexperienced agents missed that class.  That leaves a very sour taste in everyone's mouth...and we have to start the buying process all over again if the buyer is not too spooked to buy.

Like to read your information.  I agree about the sellers being gone if possible.  When would it not be possible?  When they are are having a stroke because someone said something negative about thier home.  I strongly suggest as I am listing and everytime I know it will be shown that they go for a picnic in the park (I don't want to suggest shopping as I don't want them to ruin their credit chances).  Anyway, real good information.

 L. Wayne Denton I HAVE A HANDLE ON YOUR MARKET! ! !  It is funny, I know it is the sellers home, but the reason you hired a real estate professional and pay us very well...is for our knoweldge, and advice!  So why don't the sellers listen to us?