Creating the right atmosphere and making potential buyers feel comfortable and welcome is essential during a showing. Opening the door, though, is just the first step in a successful showing for your Fort Worth real estate.

Below are the top five mistakes sellers make when showing their home:

1. Being inflexible or difficult about scheduling. Sure, leaving the house at 9am on a Saturday morning (when you’d rather be laying in bed reading the paper) isn’t convenient for most people, but saying no to showings will cost you a potential sale.

It is important to understand that if you are inflexible about scheduling, buyers will simply go onto the next property and will not likely head back to your property at a later time or date. A scheduling conflict is often a missed opportunity for a sale. Remember: be flexible and as accommodating as possible when it comes to showings.

2. Hovering around during the showing. There are no rules regarding leaving during a showing, but most real estate agents will agree that a present homeowner is often a big turn-off for potential buyers.

The bottom line is that most potential buyers feel uncomfortable with a present homeowner and are less likely to spend a fair amount of time in your home. They are also less likely to ask questions to the real estate agent and are certainly less likely to open closets and cabinets. Remember: the best way to sell your house is to leave during a showing.

3. Returning to the house too soon. Just like hovering, a homeowner popping back in the house in the middle of a showing is surely the quickest way to lose a potential sale. If you see cars still in the driveway, just keep driving, and don’t come back until the coast is clear!

4. Not cleaning your home. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it just needs to be mentioned. By all means, take the time to clean the house and tidy up before a showing. Your home will appear a lot less inviting if there are dirty dishes in the sink and dog hair on the carpet.

5. Not taking the pets. When you leave, take your pets with you, if possible. No one wants to be greeted at a showing by a barking, panting, jumping dog. Some people are pet lovers; some are not. Don’t gamble with a potential sale by keeping Fido or Fluffy at the home during a showing. Plan ahead and make arrangements regarding the pets before a showing arrives.