If you're considering selling your house, there are a lot of questions to answer. Among the most common are about the marketing strategy and showing preparation. Sooner or later, you'll probably wonder about your role in hosting open houses and buyer showings. After all, as the homeowner, you're intimately familiar with the property. So, it seems a good idea to be present; or is it? Well, there are some things to know about why sellers should leave during home showings.

Why should Sellers Leave during Home Showings?

The fact of the matter is, we all make mistakes. That's not necessarily a bad thing because such experiences teach us lessons. We learn from our mistakes and missteps throughout our lives. This is precisely why you enlist the services of a real estate professional. Because you don't know what you don't know and it's this unknowing which presents problems. For instance, it takes just 7 to 10 seconds for people to form an impression of a home.

Technically speaking, there is no definite rule in most listing contracts that states a seller can be forced to leave the home during a showing. Although most real estate agents will expect a seller to leave, and demand that they do so, legally neither an agent nor a buyer can make a homeowner leave his own dwelling. Sellers should, however, make a good faith effort to cooperate in marketing the property, and there are some points to consider when deciding to leave or stay at home during a property viewing. --San Francisco Gate

That's why curb appeal is so vital, because it not only is the first thing potential buyers will see, it also sets the expectation for what's inside. If a home suffers from poor curb appeal, buyers will lower their expectations and likely be unimpressed with the rest of the property.

  • Buyers want privacy to speak with their agents. The best way to understand a buyer's position is to walk in their shoes. Think about what you would do when being shown a home by your own agent. You'd probably like to speak with your agent privately about the house's pros and cons while walking through the property.
  • Buyers need the free rein to roam about the house. Along the same line is the buyer's need for freedom to roam. They will take the opportunity to explore the closet space, look over the appliances, and think about future plans for this and that.
  • You might make unintentional statements. What you believe to be a big plus might be a huge minus to a potential buyer. For instance, you remodeled the kitchen, doing all the work yourself and did it by the book, getting all necessary permits. Well, your boast could be a big buyer concern if you're not a licensed and experienced contractor.
  • Buyers could feel they are inconveniencing you. Buyers are strangers to your home, even if they've seen it at an open house. A showing is more intimate and your presence could make a buyer feel as though they are inconveniencing you. That will cause them to rush through the property, which isn't something you want to happen.
  • The home selling and buying process is emotional. Let's face it, whether you're selling or buying a home, it's an emotional process. Let your house speak for itself and make a good impression. After all, it's your property you want buyers to remember, not you.

If you are selling a home nearby North Verrado Way, West Lost Creek Drive West, Park Street, or elsewhere in the Verrado community, just phone us at 623-206-9936 for more helpful advice and to learn more about local market conditions.