"What Not to Say" at Your Open House: The Top Phrases Sellers Use to Accidentally Sabotage a Showing

You’ve decluttered until your knuckles are white, baked enough cookies to feed a small army, and even spritzed a little vanilla air freshener. Your house is looking its absolute best for the open house. Buyers are strolling through, nodding thoughtfully, and murmuring appreciative noises. You’re feeling good… until you open your mouth.

Even the most well-intentioned sellers can accidentally derail a potential sale with a few ill-chosen words. In their nervousness or eagerness to highlight their home’s “charm,” they can inadvertently raise red flags, plant seeds of doubt, and send buyers running for the nearest exit (or at least, to the next listing).

So, to help you avoid these verbal landmines, we’ve compiled a list of the top phrases sellers should absolutely avoid uttering at their open house:

The "Downplaying the Negatives" Collection:

• "That crack? Oh, that's just a historic feature!" Buyers see a crack, they think foundation issues, settling, or at the very least, something that will need repair. Slapping a quirky label on a defect doesn't magically make it appealing. Be upfront with your agent about any known issues so they can address them professionally.

• "Don't worry about the smell, it usually goes away." Whether it's pet odor, lingering cooking smells, or something more mysterious, this is a major turn-off. Buyers will worry about what the "usual" smell is and if it will actually go away. Address the source of any odors before the open house.

• "We were going to fix that, but..." This implies neglect and unfinished projects. It makes buyers wonder what else you were "going to fix" but didn't. It’s better to either fix it or let your agent handle any questions about potential improvements.

The "Too Much Information" Overload:

• "The neighbors are a little loud, but you get used to it." You might be accustomed to the nightly karaoke sessions next door, but potential buyers will likely see this as a significant negative.

• "We're only selling because we can't stand the school district." While honesty is generally good, this kind of negative opinion can deter families who are prioritizing schools. Let buyers form their own opinions based on their needs.

• "We paid way more for it than we're asking." This can make buyers question your pricing strategy and doesn't add any value to the property in their eyes.

The "Defensive and Argumentative" Responses:

• "Are you sure you don't like the wallpaper? We just put it up!" Taste is subjective. If a buyer isn't a fan of your bold design choices, getting defensive won't change their mind and can create an awkward interaction.

• "This house is built like a tank! Nothing can hurt it!" While you might believe in your home's sturdiness, this can sound overly aggressive and might even make buyers wonder if there were past issues.

• Any direct argument or correction of a buyer's observation. Let buyers explore and form their own conclusions. Your role is to be welcoming and allow them to experience the house.

The "Desperate Seller" Signals:

• "We've already lowered the price three times!" This can make buyers wonder what's wrong with the house that it hasn't sold.

• "We need to sell quickly!" While this might be true, broadcasting your urgency can weaken your negotiating position.

• Hovering and following buyers too closely. Give potential buyers space to explore the home comfortably. Your presence can make them feel pressured and unable to discuss their thoughts openly.

Instead of these potentially harmful phrases, focus on:

• Being welcoming and polite.

• Answering direct questions honestly and concisely (when appropriate). Defer complex questions to your real estate agent.

• Highlighting positive features neutrally. For example, instead of "That crack is historic," you could say, "The home has some beautiful original character."

• Letting your agent do the selling. They are trained to handle inquiries and negotiate effectively.

Your open house is a crucial opportunity to make a great first impression. By being mindful of what you say (and perhaps more importantly, what you don't say), you can avoid accidentally sabotaging your showing and increase your chances of finding the right buyer for your home.

Ready to sell your home without the stress? Let the experts at American Paradise Properties Inc. handle the showings and negotiations for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the best price for your property.

Of course, if you'd prefer to sell your home on your own, good luck! We'll be here with a fresh coat of paint and some "historic" crack filler when you finally give in.