When it comes to showing a home it is highly recommended that the Sellers leave the home BEFORE a buyer is due to arrive. At least walk around the block or something, but don’t under any circumstances be at the home! This is a huge turn-off to buyers. It is also something the other agent really hates. Agents don’t need your help to point out the great features of your home. The buyer’s agent knows what that particular buyer is looking for and will make sure to point out the items they know their buyer wants to see.  

There are a lot of reasons for the seller not to be home when it is shown. Below are the top four that I have found in my business.

• If the seller is home, the buyer can’t fully explore the home. The whole point is for the buyer to picture themselves living in the home and feeling like it could be theirs. If the seller is there, the buyer can’t do that.  The buyer needs to be comfortable opening cabinets, closets, etc. .. They need to picture their furniture in the home and how the home will work in their life.
  
  
• Buyers also need to be able to talk openly with their agent. They need to be able to express their thoughts and concerns. They may be thinking how a room is too small and therefore deciding the home is not for them. If they can express that to the agent, the agent may be able to offer suggestions like knocking out a wall to make the home perfect for them.  Maybe the colors are not what the buyer likes and some buyers need to be reminded that painting is a cheap fix to make the home what they want.
  
  
• When the seller is home the buyer also feels rushed. They may go through the home so fast that they don’t really even see it and remember it later in the day. Buyers are very intimidated by the seller being around and won’t spend the time needed to know if they like the home or not.  Most buyers won’t even go into the room a seller is in.. And even worse if they are playing tour guide, the buyer just wants to leave asap!
  
  
• And last, but certainly not least, is that sellers tend to talk too much. They give out way too much info that may hurt them when it comes to negotiating later. They may talk about how they have to move asap for a job and can’t afford to move until the home is sold. I even had a seller tell a buyer recently that they were moving out the next week. That is so dangerous! Now someone knows that in a week the home will be vacant! TMI is a real problem when the seller is present. I know the seller thinks they can give good reasons why the home is great, but they usually end up giving reasons why the home is not so great!

In the end, let the agents do their job. After all, that is what we are getting paid to do. :-)

Source: http://sheilanewtonteam.realtytimes.com/advicefromagents1/item/30558-four-reasons-to-get-out-of-your-house-mistakes-sellers-make-series