When you’re house hunting, you’re not just shopping for a home—you’re making a first impression.
Getting your offer accepted isn’t always about offering the highest price. Sure, money talks. But it certainly helps if the seller doesn’t have a chip on their shoulder about something you did—especially when there are other buyers in the mix.
Unfortunately, some buyers unknowingly rub sellers the wrong way during showings, which can affect how the seller feels about them—or even whether they’ll accept their offer.
To avoid accidentally sabotaging your chances, here are 4 things you should never do to a seller, just in case their house turns out to be the one you want to buy:
1) Last-Minute Showing Requests
Sellers are typically advised by their agent to be as flexible and accommodating as possible, and make their house easy for buyers to come see whenever it’s convenient for them. But that doesn’t mean they should have to be ready to race out of the house because you decided to pop in on a whim. Unfortunately, many buyers give way too little notice and ask to stop by within the next few minutes, making sellers have to rush out of the house.
Respect the seller’s time—and their sanity—by giving plenty of notice.
2) Not Showing Up at All
Whether it’s because of traffic, a scheduling conflict, or they just pulled up to the house and decided it wasn’t for them, some buyers fail to show up for a scheduled showing appointment. It’s beyond annoying to a seller when they tidy and get out of the house to accommodate a showing, only for the buyer to be a no-show.
While that may not impact you if it isn’t a house you want to buy, it’s just rude and inconsiderate. But on a selfish note, keep in mind that it could come back to haunt you if you eventually decide you want to reschedule or eventually make an offer!
3) Staying Too Long
Sellers are typically leaving the house to give you some time and space to look at the house without worrying about them breathing down your neck. While there’s usually no specific time limit given to a buyer when looking at a house, always be mindful about how long you’re lingering. A homeowner can only run errands or drive around the block so many times before they start getting annoyed that they can’t get back into their home.
4) Ignoring Showing Instructions
Whether the seller leaves instructions to not pet the cat, take your shoes off, or wear a pair of booties while walking around their house, it’s not just a suggestion—it’s an expectation. Tracking dirt across a freshly vacuumed carpet, or getting yourself bitten by their pet isn’t going to go over well with a homeowner. Honor any requests a seller makes, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it could come back to bite you (just like their cat did) if you decide to make an offer on their house.
