Should I Be Home During Showings?
Adam Cannon June 24, 2026
Adam Cannon June 24, 2026
After a home officially hits the market, many sellers find themselves facing a question they never really considered beforehand:
"Should I be home during showings?"
It is a reasonable question.
After all, this is your home. You know it better than anyone. You may feel like you could answer questions, point out upgrades, explain features, and help buyers understand everything the property has to offer.
While those intentions are understandable, the reality is that sellers are usually better off leaving during showings whenever possible.
This advice surprises many homeowners at first. It can feel counterintuitive to step away while strangers walk through your home. However, creating the right environment for buyers often plays an important role in how they experience the property.
Throughout Hartford County and Farmington Valley communities like West Hartford, Avon, Farmington, Simsbury, Canton, and Granby, buyers consistently respond better when they have the opportunity to view a home without feeling like the owner is listening to every conversation.
One of the biggest reasons sellers should avoid being present during showings is simple: buyers behave differently when the homeowner is standing nearby.
Imagine walking through a house while the seller sits at the kitchen table, watches television in the living room, or follows along during the tour.
Even if the seller is extremely friendly, most buyers immediately become more cautious about what they say.
Instead of openly discussing concerns, asking questions, or sharing first impressions, many buyers begin filtering their comments. They may avoid discussing pricing, condition, layout concerns, or potential changes they would make to the home.
The result is often a less natural showing experience.
Buyers need the freedom to talk openly with their agent, evaluate the property honestly, and determine whether it feels like the right fit.
Another issue is that seller presence can unintentionally create pressure.
Most homeowners are proud of their property. They have invested time, money, and effort into maintaining it. Naturally, they want buyers to appreciate those things.
However, when sellers start pointing out every improvement, explaining every room, or discussing their experiences living there, buyers may begin feeling like they are being sold to rather than simply exploring a home.
Even worse, buyers sometimes feel obligated to compliment the property or avoid discussing concerns when the owner is nearby.
This can make it harder for buyers to connect with the home naturally.
The goal of a showing is not to convince someone to like the property. The goal is to allow them to discover that for themselves.
One of the most important parts of any showing is helping buyers imagine their future in the home.
As buyers move through each room, they are often mentally arranging furniture, thinking about daily routines, considering where family members would spend time, and picturing how they would use the space.
That process becomes more difficult when the current owner's presence is a constant reminder that the home belongs to someone else.
Creating a neutral environment helps buyers focus on their future rather than the seller's past.
This is one reason sellers are often encouraged to:
Leaving during showings supports that same goal.
Some sellers worry that if they leave, buyers will not get answers to important questions.
Fortunately, this is rarely a problem.
Most questions can be handled through the buyer's agent and listing agent.
If buyers want information about:
those questions can typically be communicated afterward.
In fact, buyers often ask more questions when they feel comfortable rather than worrying about offending the homeowner.
There are certainly situations where a seller may need to be present.
Sometimes homeowners work remotely and cannot leave for every showing. Elderly occupants, medical situations, weather concerns, or scheduling conflicts occasionally make leaving difficult.
When that happens, the best approach is usually to remain as unobtrusive as possible.
Many sellers choose to:
The less attention drawn to the seller's presence, the easier it is for buyers to focus on the home itself.
Many homeowners wonder where they should go.
The answer is usually simple.
Some grab coffee. Others run errands, take a walk, visit family, or spend time at a nearby park. The destination itself is not particularly important.
What matters is creating enough time for buyers to tour the property comfortably and without interruption.
The showing experience should feel relaxed and pressure free.
At the end of the day, successful showings are not about the seller.
They are about the buyer.
The more comfortable buyers feel while exploring a property, the easier it becomes for them to evaluate whether it is the right home for their needs.
Giving buyers space to move freely, ask questions openly, and discuss the property honestly often leads to a better overall experience.
While it may feel strange leaving your home during showings, doing so is usually one of the simplest ways to help buyers connect with the property.
In most situations, sellers should plan to leave during showings whenever possible.
While it may seem helpful to stay and answer questions, buyers generally feel more comfortable when they have the freedom to explore the property without the homeowner present.
Creating a relaxed environment allows buyers to focus on the home, discuss their thoughts openly, and imagine themselves living there. Those factors can ultimately help create stronger interest and a better showing experience.
Adam Cannon, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Realty | West Hartford
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