Not necessary.

Not necessary.

I am present for all showings of my listings. I dont follow the buyers around but I do offer them the choice of a tour with me or just let them meander aroud. But I am there to answer any questions,  point out important aspects of the property and to be sure the house is closed up property. I believe that is my responsibility as the listing agent.

It depends what agreement a listing agent(s) have with Sellers. But, no, it is not mandatory. 

I'm not responsible for the client's pets.  If they want to have Fido in their home during the time they want to sell it, that's on them  My buyer cients aren't there to meet Fido.  We're there to tour a home.  The most easiest ways to get feet through the door, the better.  Listing agents don't need to be present, but if the sellers instruct them to be, they should be . . . with or without Fido.

I think it may be true for the average home.  When selling luxury homes and estates, agent should be there.  There are way too many things to do when preparing a home for a viewing.  We recently viewed  a home, where the agent had to call the caretaker to turn on lights, open doors, etc, and her listing agreement stipulated that she would be there.  A

Depends on the type of properties and the clients.

If the property is vacant and on supra, the listing agents don't need to be there. Unless they want to.

John - It should absolutely not be a policy that the listing agent attend all showings. For those high producing agents, that would be very time consuming, and disrupt their daily operations. Also, I don't see much of an added value to have a listing agent trying to 'sell' the home to any prospective buyers who have their own agent with them. I could see it as more of a detriment as it may make buyers uncomfortable, just like when the owner sticks around for every showing. To me, pets are the responsibility of the home owner, and it is up to them to decide what and how they want to deal with their animals during showings.

With that said, I understand there are special circumstances where a listing agent may want to be present for all showings. One is with luxury homes, as that seems to be the norm, and there is a lot of detailed communication about the home to the potential buyer and buyers agent. Two is if the seller requests their agent be in attendance. Three, if there is no other way for a buyers agent to get into the home (no lockbox or access, and seller is not there). Four, any special circumstances that may come up.

Some listing agents SHOULD stay home.

However, there are listing agents who see the value they bring to THEIR CLIENT by being present.

Way too many buyer agents fail to control their clients. Sorry, the content of the drawers is none of your buyers business. Sorry, but your 8 year old can not leap on the king size bed in the main suite. Sigh...and about the liberty to use the facilites as though this home is a highway rest stop. Do you know how many times a buyer dumped and failed to flush? Buyer agents DO YOUR JOB!

Because this is a REALITY. my presence will put an end to my seller suffering due to poor management by buyers agents. Buyer's agent, manage your buyers. IT IS YOUR JOB!

As a further benefit to the one who hired me, I can provide REAL buyer feedback without involving the buyer's agents. (imagine that!) 

We have ALL been in this business long enough to 'read' an interested buyer and identify the motivating factors. 

To be of best service to the homeowner I WILL be present for all showings. After all, this homeowner is paying me and you. Don't forget that.

Not sure what it adds to the exercise and buyer might feel more hesitant about really looking at the home. Luxury properties are a different issues--they should have listing agent there.

This is completely mandated by the terms you agree to in your listing contract. It could really stifle your business if all customers needed that much involvement.

That's definitiely not the norm in my area! I've never attended a showing by another agent or had a listing agent present for one of my showings at any time during my 40+ years in the business. 

I always discuss with sellers how they want to handle it: placing a supra, by appointment only, etc. Also depends on the property. I'm always present for high end listings.

John G. Johnston - I prefer NOT to be there at showings of my listings. Its a good idea to give them 'space'!

I'd rather focus on lead generation!

I would say it depends on whether or not the Seller's request their agent to be present or not.

No I don't think the listing agent should have to be there. I think it might hamper conversation with the buyers and their agent. 

I just had a showing earlir tody that the LA was present for. I thought she would be polite and step outside once she unlocked  the door.. NOPE, followed us from room to room, Buyer was looking at the property to assess the upgrades he wanted to do after seeing the home the day before at an Open House.
(BTW- the home is vacant, is not  luxury home)  but supposedly seller  wont allow lock box.

It killed the deal as he couldnt look or envision anything with her breathing down his neck. He left saying, OK, Im not in love anymore!

I don't see the reason.  Frankly, it would likely make the buyers feel uncomfortable to openly view and discuss the home.

No it should not be policy. Now if a seller requires it that is different. We need to follow the directions of our sellers and some just are not comfortable having buyers in their home without the seller agent in attendance.

That would be hard to do if you had a dozen listings.   I have one listing that I do that now and it is a very special case. 

John G. Johnston - In the strictest sense, pets are considered belongings, but an insurance payment would be completely inadequate to cover to the loss of someone's beloved pet.  

I look at managing the pets as a part of facilitating the transaction.  Some agents can't even manage to lock or even close a slider or remember to lock the front door.  I can't risk the injury or loss of someone's pet.

When showing a home, I certainly don't think the listing agent needs to be present. There are always some listing agents who insist on being present...and if so, we just accept it.

For me, it depends on the situation.  If the seller wants me to be present, I'm there.  If there are animals on site that need to be managed and the seller can't do it, I'm there.  I don't feel comfortable trusting an agent with the safety and security of my client's pets.

I only attend showings if seller request it but it becomes difficult if I have other appointments. When I am the buyer agent I know buyers do not like seller's agent folowing them around .