7 Creative Ways for Home Buyers to Have Some Fun When a Seller Refuses to Leave for a Showing

When you’re looking at houses for sale, it’s nice to be able to take your time, look around, and speak freely with your agent about what you like and don’t like about the place. Which is why most listing agents will advise their sellers to get out of the house whenever there’s a showing scheduled.

Unfortunately, some owners can’t resist the temptation to stay home and eavesdrop…

Sure, they’ll promise to stay out of sight and out of mind, but they rarely accomplish either! So if you’re feeling like a homeowner is hovering around you (even from a room away) while you’re trying to size up their home, here are 7 creative ways to make it just as weird and uncomfortable for them, as they’re making it for you:

1) Play Hide and Seek

If they’re less-than-discreetly trying to move from room to room hiding as you walk around, quietly sneak up on them and say, “Found you! You’re it!” Then immediately run and hide in one of their closets.

2) Pretend to Use the Bathroom

Just like there’s an unwritten rule about sellers leaving when a buyer is coming to see the house, there’s one about buyers not using the bathroom at a house they’re looking at. That’s not to say you absolutely can’t… If you gotta go, you gotta go. But it’s frowned upon. So imagine the frown the seller will have when you disappear in their bathroom for 15 minutes. If you want to take it to the next level, make some fake farting noises while you’re in there.

3) Whisper

Naturally you’ll find yourself talking more quietly with your agent when an owner is home, so you might as well exaggerate it for effect! Make sure the owner is within sight of you, lean in close to your agent, squint your eyes, and whisper right in front of them. They’ll be dying to know what your secret was!

4) Cut a Rug

Even if the owner has 70’s shag carpet over hardwood floors, you can’t actually cut a rug in someone’s house. But there’s nothing stopping you from dancing in the middle of every room in the house! Dance like nobody’s watching, even though you know darn well the owner’s watching every single move you make.

5) Ghost ‘Em

Whether the house was built in the 1800’s, or it’s fairly new construction, keep saying that you feel like there might be a ghost. If you want to take it up a notch, ask the owner if they’ve ever seen the ghost of a woman dressed in a nightgown in their bedroom as well, or if only you can see her.

6) Call the Psychic Hotline

Announce to your agent that you need to call your psychic for advice about the house, loudly enough for the owner to hear. Pretend you actually dialed the phone, and ask if the psychic can sense whether this is the house for you or not. Pretend you’re listening and throw in some occasional gasps and groans. When you’re done, tell your agent the psychic said you need to leave immediately and come back another day when the owner isn’t there listening to everything you’re saying.

7) Critique Their House

Pro tip: Only whip this one out if you’re absolutely certain you don’t want to make an offer!

If they want to be nosy and hear what you think about their house, they oughta be prepared to hear the truth! Make comments about their choice in paint color, curtains, carpets, and updates (or the lack thereof) they’ve chosen.