12 Things Sellers Do That Drive Real Estate Agents Nuts

For most people, their home is the largest asset they’ll ever own. That means that when it comes time to sell it, many experience a welling of emotions that makes them eager, anxious, and overwhelmed simultaneously. (A dangerous combination indeed.)

While Realtors® are there to help navigate this tricky time, often sellers become their own worst enemies — and drive their agents nuts along the way.

We asked real estate pros to share the behaviors sellers exhibited that bothered them most. See if any of these sound familiar.

1.Sticking around for showings

“A homeowner who not only would remain in the house during all showings and open houses. He insisted upon following me around and telling the buyers his personal stories. He even rolled up his pants leg to show off an injury he sustained while riding on a motorcycle. Suffice it to say, those buyers never returned. The house did not sell and I happily released the listing.” — Melissa Assael, Real Estate Broker, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

2. Refusing advice

“Not acknowledging sound advice regarding property pricing. Oftentimes many are emotionally attached of their properties leading to sentiment overcoming fair market value observations. The problem arises when lenders/buyers enforce appraisal contingencies disrupting a transaction.” — Michael Kelczewski, a Realtor® with Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby’s International Realty.

3. Group inspection

“The top thing that drove my real estate agents (who usually referred me) nuts was having the buyer and the seller both show up for the home inspection. And although I always encourage the buyer (who pays me for the report) to attend the inspection, it really fouls things up when they are ALL there.” — Lisa Turner, home inspector and author of House Keys

4. Leaving pets on the loose

“Not removing (or crating) pets from the home for showings. I know it can be hard on short notice, and can be stressful for the pet sometime, however people with allergies (especially to cats) probably aren’t going to buy your home if they’re greeted by said cats because they’re going to be too busy trying not to sneeze to enjoy the home.” — Katie Messenger – REALTOR® Bello Dimora Real Estate Network (now serving Kentucky and Cincinnati, OH areas)

5. Refusing to clean

“When you are scheduling showings for your client and the home is not clean — who wants to view a dirty home?” — Cynthia Blackwell, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, REAL Broker, LLC

6. Making unreasonable demands

“Sellers wanting to price way over my recommendations and then asking me to discount my commission!!” — Kari Gollup, Real Estate Broker Associate at Realty Executives Cooper Spransy

7. Requiring too much notice for showings

“When the seller keeps asking why their home is not selling yet they need a 24 hour notice and declines the showing every time even with the notice.” — Cynthia Blackwell added.

8. Experiencing a change of heart

“When the seller likes the repairs and staging so much they decide not to sell!” — Melinda L Schnur, Realtor®

9. Expecting a bundle without putting in a bit of effort

“Expecting top dollar for their filthy home that hasn’t been cleaned, painted, vacuumed or updated since 1991.” — Rachel Carroll Johnson REALTOR®; Licensed at Keller Williams Realty South Tampa

10. Asking your advice … when they didn’t hire you

“Ask their realtor friends that they did not hire for advice.” — Roni B Sterin, Realtor® at Broward County Realty by Roni B Sterin, G&E Realty Group

11. Calling… constantly

“Calls and texts at all hours with no regard, and everything is an emergency!” — Jordan Sonner, Realtor® at Hilo Brokers

12. Shooting the messenger

“Getting angry at the me when a third party (like a buyer, inspector, appraiser, etc) gives them news they don’t like. I’m just a messenger relaying information between parties. I didn’t personally write you a lowball offer, or find termites in your crawl space. Thankfully, I developed thick skin and know that the process can be emotional when a lot of money is involved, so I remain calm and bring it back to facts and let them know I understand their frustration, and then typically everyone calms down.” — Katie Messenger , REALTOR® Keller Williams Louisville East