Sell Faster! Step Out When Buyers Step In

Selling your home can feel like handing over a piece of yourself. So it’s no surprise that many sellers hesitate when asked to leave during showings. After all, it’s your house, shouldn’t you be allowed to stay?

But here’s the thing, buyers need room to breathe. They’re not just walking through a property, they’re imagining their life in it. And that vision gets awkward fast if you're sitting on the couch or trying to explain how new the water heater is.

Some sellers stay because they think they can help answer questions. Others are worried about security, tied up with remote work or just juggling hectic schedules. On paper, these are reasonable concerns, but in practice, being present usually backfires.

Buyers tend to clam up when you’re around. They don’t ask questions. They don’t linger. They certainly don’t picture themselves living there, not while the current owner is watching from the corner of the room. It adds tension, rushes the process and sometimes even gives away your negotiating position.

I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count: a showing goes from promising to awkward the second a seller pops up with a comment about the granite countertops. Even if you mean well, your presence shifts the dynamic and this is not in your favor.

Leaving the house doesn’t have to be complicated. Run errands, grab coffee, go for a walk. Work from the library if you need Wi-Fi. If your schedule is packed, coordinate specific / set showing times with your agent, but keep in mind that too many restrictions can slow things down.

Now, if you absolutely can’t leave, for example, you're working from home or waiting for a delivery, do your best to blend into the background. Stay in one room, smile briefly and let the buyers do their thing. Resist the urge to give a personal tour or chime in with commentary.

In summary, I’d say this: leaving for a showing might feel like a small thing, but it plays a big role in helping buyers connect with your home and that connection is exactly what turns a walk through into an offer.