Should a seller leave during home showings?

So you've decided to sell your home, and the showings begin. What exactly are you supposed to do during the showings?

First of all, you would be surprised at how many buyers look at homes to buy during business hours. If that's the case, just make sure that when you leave for work, there are no dishes in the sink, clothes on the floor, garbage that needs to be taken out, etc. If you have an indoor pet, make sure that  you have the necessary arrangements in place so that a buyer can comfortably look at your home while you are out.

But what if you're home, and you get a call from an agent who would like to show your home within the hour? There are a few right ways to handle this, and a couple of wrong ways to go about it.
Let's talk about the right ways, first.

DO: If you have somewhere to go, then... go! (To the market, to the bank, to your neighbors house, etc)
If you cannot leave, it is very important that you remember that this is not the time to strike up any conversation with the buyer's agent or the buyer.
DON'T: Do not lead the agent and his/her buyer around your house and point out the positives. You only look like you are desperate to sell. Do not follow the Realtor around your home, either.(It will appear that you don't trust them)  There are many style of salesmanship- some agents do not say too much to their buyers during a showing- DO NOT start talking about "this feature and that feature, and how much this or that cost" It's overbearing, and will not help you.

If you are concerned that the agent is not pointing out all the good features of your home, refer them to your property marketing brochure. If your agent did not supply you with any, then, quite frankly, I'd get a new agent. Brochures are important!

Even though that buyer's real estate agent may sell your home, that Realtor does not work for you, and has a fiduciary responsibility to their client. If the agent showing your home is experienced and knowledgeable, they may try to extract information from you, that could benefit their buyer in negotiations. So, a simple hello and a pleasant thank you and goodbye is about all you should say. Your agent should advise you as to what's okay to talk about and what isn't. I always do.

I remember one time I was showing a home- a modest home in a modest area, but that seller would NOT leave us alone. She just had to tell us everything about that home, and trust me when I tell you- I am more of a conversationalist agent, and I will point out all the good features (as well as the bad) Well, we were in the living room, and the homeowner came over to us and blurted out, "Oh, we have a new furnace- it's just 7 years old", and then she talked about her newly remodeled bath- "that was done 10 years ago!" I felt badly for her, because it just sounded so desperate, and at the same I was laughing inside because  it also sounded so silly! Look at this way- If I told you I just a had a baby, and in the next breadth, I told you that he just celebrated his seventh birthday, that would sound kind of weird, wouldn't it? So, yes, this seller was only trying to help, but it didn't come out that way.

So listen to your real estate agent's advice, and if you can leave the house, that's always best.