When It’s OK for Home Sellers to Refuse a Showing Request

“Just Say ‘No!’” (or, ”Tomorrow Works Much Better”)

As a rule, the more accessible a home is to prospective Buyers . . . the easier it is to sell.

But, that doesn’t mean Sellers can never say “no” — either to a showing request, or, to a Buyer (and their agent) literally standing in their doorway.

Here are four situations where, as listing agent, I give my clients permission to “just say no”:

One.  The agent and their client are late.

At least in Minnesota, showings are always for a one hour window.

An agent who requests 3-4 p.m. and shows up at 4:30 should expect to be refused, especially if the homeowner is juggling small kids, work demands (they have a home office) — or is just preparing supper.

Two. “Serendipitous” showing requests (also known as “spur of the moment”).

Exactly what they sound like, these typically occur when a prospective Buyer is looking at a home down the street, and notices another “For Sale” home that piques their interest.

Memo to Sellers:  if the Buyer is serious, they’ll double back with more notice.  See also, “Dealing With ‘Emergency’ Showings“; and “How to (Try to) Get a Short Notice Showing Request Approved.”

Three.  Someone in the household is sick.

Buyers don’t want to be exposed, any more than co-workers, customers, etc. do.  Same as situation #1, if they’re serious . . . they’ll try again.

Four.  Update or repair-in-process.

Just like you can’t “un-ring a bell,” once Buyers have seen the flooded Bathroom*, ice dam aftermath*, or shocking pink spare Bedroom, it can be hard for them to get it out of their head.

Given how emotional buying a home can be, encountering any of those situations can spoil a home’s appeal for at least some Buyers.

P.S.:  For the same reason, I don’t encourage selling clients who’ve done substantial updating to share the “before” photos, no matter how proud they are of the transformation.

*After doing the repair(s), the Seller should also update their Seller Disclosure.

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