Should your listing agent be at every showing? In my opinion, yes, whenever possible. With a lockbox, buyers tour with their own agent, and nobody who represents you is there. When your agent is in the room, buyers get answers on the spot, and you hear what they really think.
Most sellers never think about this when they hire an agent. They ask about the price, the photos, and the commission. They do not ask who is going to be there when buyers walk in.
A lockbox is a small, coded box on your door that holds the key. The buyer's agent opens it, walks the buyer through your home, and locks up when they leave.
But think about who is in the room. The buyer's agent works for the buyer. They may be seeing your home for the first time, just like their client. They do not know that you replaced the furnace two years ago, that the building just finished its masonry work, or that the third bedroom gets the best afternoon light. If the buyer asks, "Why is there a stain on the basement wall?", the honest answer they get is often, "I am not sure." That kind of answer makes buyers offer less, or not offer at all.
I know every listing I sell, because I prepared it with the seller. I can tell buyers what was updated and when, how the rooms can work, what the building has done, and what the monthly costs are. I also point out what the neighborhood offers, the park two blocks away or the train that gets you downtown, because buyers are buying the location too.
A buyer who leaves a showing with an open question rarely calls back to ask it. They just move on to the next home. When I am there, the answer comes on the spot, with the paperwork if we have it.
Online feedback forms are usually blank, or say "price too high" and nothing else. In the room, I watch where buyers slow down, what they touch, what they ask twice, and what makes them go quiet. That is how I know in days, not weeks, if something is holding back offers, and what to change.
Strangers are walking through your home, opening closets and cabinets. When I am there, I know exactly who came in, I make sure every door and window is locked when they leave, and I turn off the lights.
By the end of a showing, I usually have a good sense of which buyers are serious and which ones are just looking. That helps a lot when the offers come in, because I know who is most likely to close.
I show every one of my listings in person. No lockbox. If I am truly tied up at another showing, an experienced agent who knows the neighborhood covers it, never a new team member learning on your home.
It takes more of my time, and I am happy to do it. Maxine, who sold her condo with me after moving back to Texas, wrote that I "was there for practically every showing" and "kept us informed, giving us feedback after each showing." You can read more on my testimonials page.
Is there a tradeoff? Showings have to be scheduled with me, so a buyer's agent cannot just use a code and walk in. In my experience, serious buyers are happy to work with that, especially when the agent at the door can answer their questions.
Theft at showings is not common, but it does happen. Even with your agent there, a few simple steps protect you and help your home show well:
My post on how to get top dollar for your Chicago home covers the rest of the preparation.
Before you sign, ask:
The answers tell you a lot about how your home will be sold. For the rest of the interview, these are the questions to ask a listing agent before you sign. When offers come in, my post on comparing multiple offers shows how to pick the best one.
When you choose who will sell your home, look for numbers you can check. Here are mine:
You work with me directly, from the first walk-through to the closing table.
It depends on the agent. Many Chicago listings use a lockbox, and the buyer's agent shows the home alone. Some listing agents, like me, attend showings in person so the home is presented and the seller gets real feedback.
Lockboxes are widely used, and modern electronic lockboxes record every entry. Reported thefts are uncommon, but with a lockbox, nobody who works for you is in your home during the showing. Put away valuables, medications, and personal documents either way.
Usually not. Buyers feel like guests when the owner is there, and they leave sooner and say less. Let your agent show the home.
Be very careful. Illinois law makes it a crime to secretly record a private conversation without everyone's consent. Turn off the audio on indoor cameras and video doorbells during showings, and ask your attorney about your setup.
Ask your agent how they will collect it and how fast you will hear it. When your agent is at the showing, the feedback comes from what they saw and heard in the room, not from a form.
Ask who will be at each showing, who covers when they cannot be there, how you will get feedback, and whether they will be at the open house.
If you want an agent who knows your home inside and out and is there when buyers walk in, I would love to talk. I will walk through your home with you, show you the recent sales near you, and give you a clear plan.
Start with a free home value review, or schedule a complimentary consultation here. You can also start with my free Chicago Home Seller Course, or call or text me directly at 773.719.0989.
Dee Savic is a Chicago Realtor® with Baird & Warner, a 24+ year real estate professional, and a 27+ year Chicago resident with 300+ closed transactions. She helps buyers, sellers, downsizers, and relocation clients across Chicago, including Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, North Center, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Uptown, Bucktown, Wicker Park, and the Gold Coast.
Dee Savic
Realtor® | Baird & Warner
4553 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
773.719.0989
[email protected]
deesavic.com
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I'm Dee Savic, your trusted Chicago real estate expert, and I'm here to guide you through your relocation journey. Discover why Chicago is the perfect city for you; from its diverse neighborhoods to its cultural vibrancy, Chicago offers an unmatched urban experience. Together, we'll find a community and home that fits your lifestyle and aspirations.
