Potential Buyers Need Some Space

Q: I have my house on the market, but I’m scheduled to go out of town. Should I take the house off the market while I’m away? I don’t like people in the house when I’m not there, and I make them set an appointment with me to see it. I want to sell my house, but I’m really nervous about people being in it without me.

A: It seems to me the bigger issue you’re facing is that you won’t let anyone see the house when you’re not home. That means, unless you’re being really diligent about stepping outside and giving the buyer some privacy in the house, you’re likely making your prospective buyers uncomfortable and might be compromising your ability to sell your house at all.

The ideal situation is for Realtors, other than and including your own, to be able to show your house anytime (within reason) and just let you know when they’ll be there so you can leave the house altogether. If that can’t happen, at least step out after you let them in.

Also, remember to leave the backyard when they walk out, so they can have some privacy there, too.

As far as the vacation issue goes, it would be a shame to miss out on these critical weeks of summer by taking the house off the market. If you can become comfortable with people being in your house without you (even if you decide your Realtor has to be present for all showings) you might find you get more productive responses from buyers than you have up until now.

I can’t tell you what to do. You have to do what feels right. But if one of your personal goals is to sell your house, then make it easier for people to see it. Your vacation might be a great time to start that experiment.

Talia Freedman is a Realtor with Signature Southwest Properties.