Why You Should Never Do Accompanied Showings

Talking to my fellow Realtors out there. I know some of this is going to be controversial, but stick with me.

Never never never do accompanied showings! (Ok, maybe there is one exception, which we’ll cover later, but as a general rule, don’t do it!) Some sellers will want you to, and here’s why you shouldn’t:

a.       Having the listing agent present inhibits the buyers’ ability to fully process what they like and dislike about the property, as they’re not able to talk it out amongst themselves or with their agent. It limits my ability, as a buyer’s agent, to perform my duties at the highest level, since we aren’t able to be open and honest about the pros and cons of the house.

b.       There’s a convenience factor. If the listing agent must be present, that’s another person’s schedule everyone else needs to work around. I’ve had many experiences where the listing agent’s schedule is the prohibiting factor to me showing a house. This is a HUGE disserve to the seller! Throw a lockbox on and let the buyer’s agents bring buyers when it’s convenient for them. Don’t make them wait on you.

c.       And it’s more than that. At a subconscious level, the discomfort of a hovering listing agent creates a negative association in buyers’ minds. So, when buyers are viewing several homes in one day, they will have a negative feeling attached to the accompanied showing home, even if they might not realize it. It may be subtle, but it’s there. If you’re the listing agent, do you really want buyers having any negative associations with your seller’s house? Didn’t think so.

Convinced? Good. Now, the exception to this are very high end, multi-million dollar homes that have too many unique features to simply be listed in a brochure. Even then, I’d give the buyer’s agent the option: “Would you like me to give a tour and point out some of amazing features of this home, or would you prefer to take your clients through?” Let them decide. The goal is creating the most positive, easy environment for buyers and buyer’s agents.