Do I Have to Be Present for Showings?
When your home is on the market, buyers will need opportunities to see it in person. One of the most common questions sellers have is whether they should stay home during those showings. In most cases, we recommend giving buyers and their agent space to tour the property without the seller present.
You've cleaned the house.
You've put everything away.
The showing is scheduled.
And then you wonder:
“Do I really have to leave my own house?”
In most cases, our answer is yes, if you're able to.
We know it can be inconvenient—especially when showings happen around work, meals, pets, or everyday life.
But giving buyers some privacy while they tour your home can make for a more comfortable showing experience.
Quick Takeaways
Sellers generally don't need to be present for showings.
When possible, we recommend leaving before the buyers arrive.
Buyers may feel more comfortable taking their time when the seller isn't there.
Buyers and their agent can speak more freely about the property.
You don't need to completely rearrange your life for every showing.
Keeping the home reasonably showing-ready can make the process easier.
Pets should be considered when planning for showings.
We'll request feedback from the showing agent after each showing.
Why Is It Better If I'm Not Home?
Imagine walking into a home you're considering buying while the owner is sitting in the living room.
You'd probably feel a little awkward.
You might hesitate to open a closet.
You might not spend as much time in a room.
And you probably wouldn't turn to the person with you and openly discuss what you like, don't like, or would want to change.
Buyers can feel the same way.
We want them to feel comfortable enough to actually experience the home rather than feeling like they're visiting someone else's house.
But It's Still My Home
Absolutely.
And we understand that having strangers tour your home can feel strange.
That's one reason showings are coordinated rather than simply allowing people to walk into the property whenever they want.
When a showing is scheduled through the appropriate process, the buyer is accompanied by a real estate licensee.
You don't need to stay behind to personally give them the tour.
Won't I Be Better at Explaining My House?
You certainly know your home better than anyone.
You know which room gets beautiful afternoon light, what you've updated, and all the little things you've appreciated while living there.
But a showing usually isn't the best time for you to personally explain all of those things.
Too much information can sometimes prevent buyers from simply looking around and forming their own impression.
Important information about your home can be communicated through the listing, marketing materials, property information, and through the real estate professionals involved.
Should I Leave Before the Buyers Arrive?
Yes, when possible.
Try to give yourself enough time that you're not backing out of the driveway as the buyers are pulling in.
Ideally, have the house ready and leave a few minutes before the scheduled appointment.
That lets the buyers arrive, enter with their agent, and begin their showing without feeling like they're rushing you out.
How Long Should I Stay Away?
Showing lengths vary.
Some buyers know very quickly that a property isn't right for them.
Others may spend more time looking closely because they're seriously interested.
If possible, give them enough time to complete the scheduled showing without feeling rushed.
You don't necessarily need to disappear for the entire afternoon because you have one appointment.
We'll help you understand how the showing schedule is being handled for your property.
What If I Work From Home?
We know leaving for every showing isn't always easy.
If you work from home, homeschool, have mobility considerations, or have another circumstance that makes showings more complicated, tell us before we list.
We can talk about the situation and determine how to make showing arrangements as workable as possible while still giving buyers a good opportunity to see the home.
The goal isn't to make living in your home impossible while it's listed.
What Should I Do With My Pets?
Pets deserve some planning too.
Even a very friendly pet can complicate a showing.
Some buyers may be uncomfortable around animals, and there's also the possibility of a pet getting outside when someone opens a door.
When possible, consider taking pets with you or securing them appropriately during showings.
If an animal will remain at the property, make sure we know.
We need to be able to communicate appropriate instructions to the showing agent.
Do I Need to Make the House Perfect Every Time?
No one actually lives in a perfectly staged house 24 hours a day.
We don't expect you to either.
But keeping the home reasonably showing-ready can make your life much easier.
Before a showing, concentrate on the things buyers will notice most:
Make beds
Put away obvious clutter
Clear kitchen counters
Put dirty dishes away
Straighten bathrooms
Open blinds or curtains when appropriate
Turn on lights as needed
Pick up pet-related items when possible
Make sure the home smells clean and fresh
Keep walkways and entrances accessible
You don't need to panic-clean the entire house every time someone schedules a showing.
What About Valuables and Personal Information?
Put them away.
Even though buyers are generally accompanied during showings, it's wise to secure valuable or sensitive items before your home goes on the market.
That includes things such as:
Jewelry
Cash
Prescription medications
Financial documents
Mail containing personal information
Identification documents
Firearms or other items requiring secure storage
Small valuable items
Don't rely on hiding something in the back of a drawer.
Secure important belongings appropriately before showings begin.
Should I Leave All the Lights On?
We want the home to feel welcoming and easy to view.
Depending on the property and time of day, opening blinds or curtains and turning on appropriate lights can help.
If you have a particularly dark room or an unusual switch that buyers might not find easily, we can account for that when preparing the home for showings.
Should I Play Music or Use Candles?
Usually, simpler is better.
You don't need to create an elaborate atmosphere.
And we generally wouldn't recommend leaving burning candles unattended.
A clean, comfortable home with good lighting is enough.
Be careful with strong fragrances too.
You may love a particular candle or air freshener, but another person may find it overwhelming.
Clean is better than heavily scented.
Will I Know Who Came Through My Home?
Showings are typically scheduled and tracked through the showing process being used for the listing.
After a showing, we send the showing agent a feedback request.
If we receive useful feedback, we'll share it with you.
Not every agent responds, and we can't force someone to provide feedback, but we do request it because repeated comments can sometimes give us useful information about how buyers are responding to the property.
What If Someone Wants a Last-Minute Showing?
We'll talk about showing instructions and how much notice you need before the home goes on the market.
There may be times when a buyer asks to see the property on short notice.
If you can accommodate it, great.
If you genuinely can't, we'll work with the situation.
We want your home to be reasonably accessible to buyers without making you feel as though you've lost the ability to live your normal life.
Can I Be There If I Really Need to Be?
Sometimes circumstances make it unavoidable.
If you must remain at the property during a showing, give the buyers and their agent as much space and privacy as reasonably possible.
Try not to follow them from room to room or explain every feature unless you're asked.
But when possible, we'd rather give the buyers the home for those few minutes.
The Bottom Line
If you only remember one thing from this article, let it be this:
When possible, let the buyers tour your home without you there.
Giving buyers space allows them to look around, talk openly with their agent, and imagine themselves in the property without feeling as though they're intruding in someone else's home.
We'll work with you before listing to establish showing instructions that make sense for your situation.
From Dana & John
We know showings can be one of the most inconvenient parts of selling a home. You're still living your normal life while we're asking you to keep the house ready and occasionally leave so strangers can walk through it.
We don't expect perfection.
We'll help you prepare the home before we list and talk through showing arrangements that work as reasonably as possible for you. When a showing happens, our recommendation is simple: make the home welcoming, take care of the important things, and then give the buyers some space to look.
We'll take it from there.
Continued Learning
These guides can help you prepare your home and understand the showing process:
→ How Should I Prepare My Home for Showings?
→ Should I Stage My Home Before Selling?
→ What Should I Do Before Listing My Home?
→ What Makes One Listing Stand Out from Another?
Have Questions?
If you're preparing to sell and wondering how showings will work with your schedule, pets, work, or everyday life, we'll help you establish a showing plan that makes sense for your home and situation.
Dana & John Martin – Team Martin
Waters Edge Realty
318-504-9925 | 504-450-2714
ALGulfCoastAgents@gmail.com
