Sellers should pay attention to what they say... Buyers should pay attention to what they believe
I have always been under the firm belief that Sellers need to be absent from their home when it is shown to prospective buyers. My reasoning: Most sellers can't keep quiet about their house. They forget that sometimes, words spoken without having given them serious thought can come back to bite them (the seller) later.
A few years ago, I heard a story about a client that wanted to see a house on beautiful Sutton's Bay. This was a water front property. The owner was home and was very cordial. In fact, she was almost too nice giving away to much information to my clients. One of her comments was: "The lot next door (it was on the bay, too) belongs to the city and it is too small for any house to be built on." She went on to say, "The good news is no one will ever be able to build or live there. Buying my house and the property it sits on will be like having two pieces of land with plenty of privacy to enjoy as long as you live here."
When they stepped outside, the agent said to them: "Don't believe what she just said about the land next door because sometimes things change." Imagine how disappointing it would be to you, a new home owner if six months after you move in you look out the side window to see dump trucks making the lot larger and then a new house springing into existence.
I heard another story of a wonderful family that moved into a house 26 years ago. They were told by the previous home owner the land behind them would never be developed. In fact, they were under the belief there would always be trees to enjoy with plenty of deer to observe. Perhaps you've already guessed it! The trees disappeared at year 23 and now the land is built up with Condos.
Sellers: I would encourage you to employ a Realtor to help you sell your home. When your agent or another agent is showing your house, go away and let them do your work for you. I also believe you need my FREE SELLERS TOOLKIT before you list your house for sale.
Buyers: I would encourage you to really check out anything and everything you are told by a well meaning seller. Employ the services of a Buyer's Agent to help you discern what you read and listen to in reference to the area you are thinking of calling home. I further believe you need to get my FREE BUYERS TOOLKIT before heading out on the journey to find your new house.