There are some basic rules to selling your home: The first, and most important, is price it right the first time. This is followed closely by allow people inside to see the property. I know, the second seems a little obvious, but it is just as important as rule number one.

I just received this email from a selling agent.

“Did your client’s ever end up buying? My listing is still available, they are having a showing tomorrow at 11:00, I try to condense or combine showings because the seller has two babies, let me know if there is still any interest.”

Well, I tried to preview that property for my client back in early December. They were not allowing previews to agents because it disrupts the family. My clients did not have a lot of time to see properties, so I was previewing everything before bringing them inside. We ended up seeing 12 properties that weekend, one of which we bid on (closing this week – horary!). The house that wouldn’t let me inside and wouldn’t work around my client’s viewing schedule lost out on a very qualified buyer.

In any market, and especially in this one, it is imperative to allow people inside your home to see it. You can not sell a property with 25 photos or a virtual tour – no matter how good they are. Buyers want to walk around, look in closets, and see the view from the kitchen window. Once buyers have moved on, they rarely look back.

I am very understanding of schedules, dinners, nap times and Sunday morning family time. However, the buyer must be allowed to see the merchandise. And, they must be allowed to see it when THEY want to see it (within reason of course). No seller should turn away showings, EVER.