Sellers: Why is it so important to be gone when your home is shown?

Most Sellers understand that it's important to be gone whenever there is a showing on their home.  It's not only important, it's imperative.  In fact, let me take it even a step beyond imperative:  If you stay in the home when it is being shown its

THE KISS OF DEATH !!!

Why?  People want to be able to get nosy.  They want to open drawers, peek up in the attic, check out your closets.  They want to be able to speak openly, and if they're starting to warm up to your home, they want to be able to take their time.

If you are there, they will feel like they're imposing on you.  Or worse, they will think you're going to follow them around or listen to what they're saying.  So they will run through the house, not really SEEING it, and jump back in their cars as quickly as possible.  They truly will not remember the house.  Even if you're just sitting outside trying to stay out of the way it has the same negative affect.

Another reason it's a bad idea to stay:  The Buyers will have a difficult time picturing themselves owning it.  When they see you there they won't be able to get past the idea that it's your home.

I have seen this played out many times.  Your only shot at this point is for the agent to call the listing agent and request another showing with no one there.  But those odds are against you; they may well buy the home down the street instead.

Jacki and Jerry Shafer with The Shafer Team are "mega agents" with Keller Williams Realty Louisville East.  They specialize in home sales in their own "back yard" of Oldham County, and nearby eastern Jefferson County in Louisville, as well as Henry, Shelby and Trimble Counties in Kentucky.