As a seller, leaving your home to allow complete strangers to walk through it at their own will can be a tough pill to swallow. However, it is important to understand that by giving potential buyers the freedom to explore without the presence of homeowners offers numerous advantages. While one motivation may be to avoid potentially awkward comments, there are broader benefits to allowing prospective buyers the space they need during showings. Before I dive into the advantages of leaving your home open to strangers, it’s important to note that buyers should always be accompanied by a licensed REALTOR®. By having a lockbox that only REALTORS® can access, you will provide yourself with an added layer of security and control over who enters your home.
When potential buyers visit your home, they should be able to envision themselves living there. This is easier to achieve when the seller is not present. Buyers can freely explore the space, ask questions, and share their thoughts with their agent without feeling self-conscious. With sellers out of the picture, visitors can freely explore each room and mentally arrange their furniture and personal belongings. An empty house serves as a canvas, allowing buyers to customize it mentally to suit their own lifestyle and preferences.
Furthermore, stepping away grants buyers the privacy they need to discuss their impressions candidly. Without the presence of sellers, they can comfortably critique various aspects of the home or engage in discussions about whether it aligns with their criteria. This promotes an open and honest dialogue between potential buyers and their agents. Buyers are then more likely to provide honest feedback to their REALTOR®. This feedback is invaluable for understanding what aspects of the home are appealing and what might need improvement.
Lastly, an uninhabited house offers a neutral setting for buyers to evaluate the property objectively, free from any subconscious influence or distractions from the sellers. Buyers can take their time to form their own opinions during solitary tours, without the distraction of conversations with sellers or any sense of pressure. Having the seller present during showings can inadvertently make buyers feel pressured or uncomfortable. Even well-intentioned conversations or explanations about the property can divert the buyer’s focus from evaluating the home objectively. This could lead to them rushing through the viewing without taking the time to actually process what they’re looking at or refraining from expressing their true feelings about the property.
Remember that as the seller, you are not losing control by stepping away. By working with a REALTOR®, sellers can control when and how showings occur with clear instructions for turning on lights, setting the thermostat, and other preparations. This allows them to maintain their privacy and schedule while ensuring that their home is seen by as many potential buyers as possible. Ultimately, it’s a strategic move that can help sellers achieve a successful sale and transition to their next chapter with confidence. Trust the process. Until next week!
Eve Leombruno, 2023 MBOR President
