Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I agree with you Belinda!  Plus, I always instruct my clients to say one thing and one thing only to other agents regardless of the question ... and that is ... "You will need to speak to my agent." Nothing else needs to be said.

Hi Belinda, congratulations on another great featured post.  I want my sellers gone when buyers come to look.  Previews are okay especially in your clients physical situation.  Definitely prefer the sellers gone.

I also give my sellers permission to stay during previews, but I also tell them not to talk with the agents or buyers if he's there. He doesn't need to give away any motivation.

Some agents don't think period !!!! Leave the old guy alone !

Hi Belinda. Nice post. Sometimes it is hard to understand where other agents are coming from.

This year I've had several occasions to show FSBO homes listed through MLS.  Each time I have to educate them to take a walk or otherwise find something else to do during our showing.  It always surprises me how they think it will help the buyer if they are there to show the property?  They couldn't be more wrong...and this goes for brokers accompanying showings, too!

Belinda - I agree with you that it's best if the seller leaves for showings but don't think it's as important for previews as long as the seller knows which it is and knows that he should keep quiet with the other agent.

#8 and a lot of the others got it right. Give the homeowner a break. You have no business chatting him up anyhow.

I'm living this right now with a seller that is 95. I attend the showing but we sit in a porch, I make sure my seller says nothing and we do not disturb the people going through. I have a difficult time telling that seller to get out of the house

I understand that the seller is trying to sell the house, but it's still his house!

Hi Belinda - I think you definately did the right thing.  It is all very dependent on your client and who is showing up.  I agree that for previews the seller can be there, but most of my sellers prefer to be gone.

Ideally sellers should leave in both instances, but I agree that for an agent preview it's not as critical that they leave. When they stay, conversations with the previewing agent are bound to happen, so that's part and parcel of them being in the house. Elderly clients definitely pose some special circumstances and should be addressed as the previews/showings come up.

In an ideal world, sellers would leave for both previews and showings. But exceptions always arise. If a seller needs to be there, they need coaching from their agent on how to act, what to say (or not!) etc. The showing agent also needs to be requested to respect the seller and ask questions of the agent, not the seller.

Belinda, I have listed a few homes with elderly clients, but I love your rules above. Why was he questioning your seller on a Preview anyway???? I have told my elderly clients that if it's not convenient to leave, they could just step outside for a short time.

Belinda, you got people going... and is a touchy subject with some sellers.     I once had a family with a bed-ridden mom, and was REALLY tough to get out of house.     They got REALLY upset when a showing was set, and then did not show up, and I did not blame them!

It's nice in a perfect world for the Sellers not to be present when the home is being shown but it is not always possible.

I don't request from my older sellers that they leave the house,but I do prep them on how the house should look for showings, what to do while the house is being shown and answers to give if an agent or buyers when put on the spot with questions they are not prepared to answer. I tell them questions about the house, schools or neighborhood they can answer. Questions about price, moving date , etc I tell them to answer it's negotiable or ask my agent. So far, that seems to work fine.   

Thanks for sharing today     I to believe that if it works for you, then do it.  

Patricia Aulson/ Seacoast NH & ME REALTOR

PS.....I forgot to mention that I LOVE the photos of the dog above.   So cute.  Thanks for sharing.

Patricia Aulson/ Seacoast NH & ME

Belinda,

You would have thought that this agent could have been a little more understanding.

Brian