Prefer NOT.

It is always a good idea for sellers to go out at the showings, Hella.

Only for additional showings if I had questions.

Definitely not. I have seen too many sellers either put the 'hard sell' in the buyer or get defensive if anything derogatorily was said.

2nd showings or a very intricate properties.  Properties with multiple building and water and security and or heating systems.  

I mostly prefer that the sellers, or tenants, if it's rented, aren't in the house. I had a nightmare showing a few months ago with the tenants in the house. Mr. Tenant talked our ear off, and my buyers couldn't see the house, because he wanted all of the attention. 

Owners can also be a problem. Most of the buyers I've worked with want to walk around the house without someone watching them, and they also want to be able to ask me questions and talk about the house. Most buyers won't do this with the seller there. 

No, most of my buyers prefer not to have the seller there.  I have had a few that don't mind it because they like to ask questions.  But for the most part the buyers don't want them there.  They like to freely make comments about the house and would not like the sellers hearing what they are saying.  Plus they like to take their time and not feel rushed.

It is much better if the seller is not home during showings, especially if they already have the lising agent there to "contain the dog". If they must be there then they should stay out of sight. I recently was showing a large property and the owner and listing agent were both there. The listing agent was no problem but the seller was drunk at 11:30am on a Monday and was following us around the property in a golf cart, which she eventually crashed. To make matters worse she somehow got the potential buyers phone number and started calling/texting her non-stop.  It was a shame because this buyer was  seriously considering this property until the phone calls started coming - it really scared her.

90% of the time I do not want the seller at the showing. If it is a really exceptional or large piece of property having the seller on site and available for questions can help aid the sale. Under no circumstances do I want the seller to be the tour guide or so close they can hear what is being said.

I personally think sellers should not be at showings. If they insist on being there, they should sit outside, or make themselves scarce. Buyers just don't feel as comfortable poking around a home when the owners are present.

As a buyer, I would not want the sellers there.  It would make me uncomfortable to look and really focus on the home.  In one instance, the seller had a sick baby, and I can understand moments like, this.  She stayed in the baby's room.  A

For me as a Realtor, it's "subject to availability".  I would prefer the seller not there, the tenants not there, the other agent not there.  I get a commission to sell the house and I don't want anyone else messing it up.  My exception would only be if the seller or listing agent demanded it.  I would have to work within the constraints they put upon me.