My Peeve: Accompanied showings are not only a hassle for the buyer & buyer's agent, they often result in limited showings for the seller. Who is actually getting exceptional customer service in this situation?

A handful of local brokerages insist on having a representative accompany a buyer and his/her agent when their company's listings are shown--even if the house is vacant. It is presented to the seller as a 'value-added service'. I understand the concept, but the reality is that buyers are often turned off by having someone they don't know hovering or lurking in the background, making note of everything they say. The buyer doesn't feel as comfortable experiencing the space when there is a stranger waiting on everyone to look and leave. The buyers rush through the house and can't put a finger on what it is that didn't feel right. Most of the time it's having someone else in the picture.  

It is also frustrating beyond belief to try to schedule appointments for accompanied showings. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to show a listing that is accompanied, but the appointment has been declined because it's not convenient for the listing office or the listing agent. Again, who gets exceptional customer service in this scenario? I wonder if the listing firms give their sellers reports on how many showings are actually declined each week because the appointment request falls after 5PM or conflicts with the listing agent's personal showing schedule for buyer clients. I think that would be useful information for a seller to know.

Accompanied showings are incredibly inconvenient for buyers because they must be at the given house at a certain time or else the agent who is to accompany the showing will leave. It is not always realistic to be able to narrow showing times down to a 10 or 15 minute window in a big city like Houston with unpredictable traffic. Buyers might have to leave a home they're really interested in to meet a company representative at an accompanied appointment. That is frustrating.

In fairness, there are some circumstances where the property has so many special features that the listing agent's presence really is helpful or there are unmanageable pets on the premises. Those instances are few and far between. My suggestion is for everyone to put their egos aside and really consider what helps sell a home. Make it convenient for qualified buyers to see the home and feel comfortable there.

I would love to hear what the rest of you have to say about this practice.