Showing Homes With Elderly Homeowners Present
Florida is known for its high senior citizen population due to the warmer climate, lower housing costs, and no state income tax. The senior citizen population of Lakeland FL is around 67% of its total population. I have sold homes where seniors decided it is best to move back to be closer to their children, selling the home in their absence. There were also instances where the elderly needed to sell their home first before they could move back to be with their family.Buyers are not ever comfortable when owners are present at the time of showing and here are the reasons why:
- You as the seller can be your own enemy - such as giving away information that potentially can hurt you.
- Giving the buyer the grand tour - although buyers would see the features of your home, they don't want to be followed in each and every room, even the tiny bathroom where they being told that the toilette was just replaced because of a leak.
- You can make the buyers feel very uncomfortable with your intriguing questions - at one of my recent showings, the seller asked the buyer how much money they were making. I would not have them shown your home if they were not pre-qualified.
- Buyers feel rushed - When I show homes that are unoccupied, my buyers stay in the home on an average about thirty minutes, sometimes even more if they like it. When homeowners are present, the average showing time is less than fifteen minutes even if they like it.
I often encounter when showing homes that it is occupied by an elderly homeowner, given the geographical location I'm serving. There are also occasions when one of the homeowners is not able to walk or talk in which the homeowners are present at the time of showings. Most of the times one of the homeowners can not help but to give myself as the buyer's agent and my buyers the grand tour.
First of all I don't mind that the homeowners are present at the time of showing, but only when one of the homeowner cares for his/her spouse. In order for a possible offer to happen, please take this advice of a real estate agent who has shown homes many times and the reason the buyer did not buy is because of the seller.
Stay away from the buyers at all time!
Do not give them the grand tour!
I hope you found this post useful! If you need help finding or selling your Lakeland, Florida home, please contact Petra Norris - REALTOR(R) at 863-619-6918. If you’re new to Lakeland, I’d especially like to extend a warm welcome. I value my clients and provide them with honest, reliable service. Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeland FL real estate landscape and all it has to offer.
Copyright © 2011 By Petra Norris *Showing Homes With Elderly Homeowners Present *
Authored by Petra Norris
Petra Norris - REALTOR®, SFR
Managing Broker - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
Managing Broker - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
(863) 619-6918
