Posted by Wondering how to handle feedback from potential buyers and their agents without losing your cool? Here are some real-world tips to keep things smooth, professional, and maybe even a little bit fun. Alright, let’s talk about feedback. Not the “Great job!” kind you get from your mom, but the “This house would be perfect if it weren’t for your input” kind. You know the type.
I’ve been in real estate long enough to hear it all, “The backyard is too green,” “The ceilings are too ceiling-y,” and my personal favorite, “There’s just… no vibe.” What does that even mean?
But here’s the thing: Feedback, no matter how ridiculous it sounds at first, can actually be useful. The trick is knowing how to respond without sounding defensive, desperate, or like you’re about to flip a table. So let’s break it down.
First Rule: Don’t Take It Personally Even When It Feels Personal
Early in my career, I had a listing that I loved. I’d staged it perfectly, picked a modern neutral paint color, and even added some cute throw pillows that I may or may not have stolen from my own couch. Then a buyer walked in and said, “This feels like a dentist’s office.”
Dentist’s office?! Excuse me? I wanted to argue. I wanted to say, “Have you seen a dentist’s office? They don’t have cozy reading nooks!” But instead, I took a breath and asked, “What would make it feel more like home to you?” Turns out, they hated gray walls (fair) and preferred warm tones. That feedback actually helped me adjust the staging for future showings.
Moral of the story? Feedback isn’t about you, it’s about their preferences. And sometimes, buried under the weird comments, there’s something useful.
The Art of the Polite Non-Answer Because You Can’t Win Every Battle
Not all feedback deserves a response. Some of it is just… noise. A few months ago, an agent told me their buyer didn’t like my listing because “the stairs were too stair-like.” I wish I were joking. In those cases, the best move is to smile, nod, and file it under “Things I’ll Laugh About Later.”
But when the feedback is actually relevant—like “The master closet is small”, you don’t have to agree, but you do have to acknowledge it. Try something like:
“I hear you, storage space is really important. The good news is that the basement has tons of built-in shelving if you need extra!”
This way, you’re not arguing, but you are redirecting to a positive.
When Feedback Is Actually a Secret Negotiation Tactic
Here’s a fun fact: Sometimes, feedback isn’t just feedback, it’s a test. Buyers (and their agents) will drop little criticisms to see how you react. If you get defensive, they might think you’re inflexible. If you brush it off too hard, they might assume you’re not motivated to sell.
So what’s the play? Stay calm, stay professional, and read between the lines. For example, if someone says, “We love it, but the kitchen feels outdated,” they might be hinting at a credit for renovations. Instead of saying “It’s not outdated!”, try: “I get that! The appliances are actually newer, but if that’s a sticking point, we could discuss some options.” Boom. You’ve kept the conversation open without committing to anything.
The Follow-Up: How to Stay on Their Radar Without Being Annoying
So a buyer walked through, gave some feedback, and then… ghosted. Now what? A light follow-up can work wonders. Something like:
“Hey, just wanted to say thanks for showing the house! If you have any other thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to chat!”
Short, sweet, no pressure. If they’re still interested, they’ll respond. If not, you haven’t burned any bridges.
But, and this is key, don’t chase. If they wanted the house, they’d make an offer. Desperation smells worse than last week’s fish.
When Feedback Actually Improves Your Listing
Sometimes, feedback is pure gold. A few years ago, I kept hearing “The living room feels dark” from multiple buyers. I thought they were nuts, the windows were huge! But then I actually stood in the room at different times of day and realized… yeah, the furniture layout blocked a lot of light. A quick rearrange, and suddenly the place showed way better.
So if you hear the same critique more than once? Pay attention. It might be an easy fix.
Final Thought: Not Every House Is for Every Person
At the end of the day, you will get bizarre feedback. You will want to argue. And you will have moments where you think, “Do these people even want to buy a house?!”
But the ones who are truly interested? They’ll tell you what they need. Your job is to listen, adjust where it makes sense, and let the rest roll off your back.
And if all else fails, just remember: Somewhere out there, a buyer is complaining that a house “has too many rooms.” So really, we’re all just doing our best.
What’s the wildest feedback you’ve ever gotten? Share your stories, I know I’m not the only one with a “Wait, what?” moment!
References
Government of Jersey. (n.d.). Customer feedback policy. https://www.gov.je/Government/Comments/pages/customerfeedbackpolicy.aspx
Public Accounts Committee. (2025). Handling and learning from customer feedback and complaints review. States Assembly.
Gefen, D., & Pavlou, P. A. (2004). The moderating role of conflict on feedback mechanisms, trust, and risk in electronic marketplaces. MIS Quarterly, 28(2), 373-397. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?doi=d5716ef33440fc3f9c98041a1a11ed26d08241d4