Why Your Agent May Ask You to Stay Away From Your Open House

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When you go to sell your home, your real estate agent will take care of playing host for interested buyers. This is part of the service that you get when you hire a real estate agent. The agent will not only handle setting up the showing appointments; they will also meet the prospective buyers at your home, walk them through the house and point out attractive features. While this is happening, you and your family can relax elsewhere. When the showing is over, the agent will contact you and let you know the coast is clear for you to return home.

1. Your Presence Will Distract Buyers

Your agent needs prospective buyers to focus on the house. If you’re there, the buyers’ attention will be torn between you and the house. Since showings only last a limited time, that will be valuable time lost for the agent to point out reasons why the house is a great fit.

2. Buyers Won’t Feel Free to Browse

Buyers need to be able to feel free to open cabinet and closet doors and look closely at details around your home. This is what will help make them feel comfortable about making an offer on the property. If the owner is present, buyers won’t feel able to look around. They may constantly turn to you to ask permission. This detracts from their ability to imagine the home as being their own.

3. You Could be Asked Difficult Questions

Buyers may take advantage of your presence to ask challenging questions. They may ask things like if the basement ever floods, if there are leaks in the roof or why there appears to be a crack in the basement wall. Your agent will know exactly how to field these questions and allay fears.

You hired a great real estate agent for a reason, so the best thing you can do is follow advice during showings and the rest of the homebuying/home selling process. By trusting your agent, the process will move smoother and assure you get the most bang for your buck.