Home Showing Etiquette

If I was a bettin’ man, I would say lack of showing etiquette is one of the biggest beefs a seasoned agent has with new agents. In fact, I’ve overheard many agents say in frustration that they advised their clients AGAINST accepting a new agent’s offer in a multiple offer situation simply because they felt the buyer’s agent was too “green” and it was too risky to get into a deal with them.

News flash. How you conduct yourself at a showing is being observed by those you want to get into a transaction with! It is a part of trust building.

If you don’t want to tell the whole world you are new at this realtor gig, learn real estate showing etiquette and put it in play today. Otherwise you’re tipping your hand that you have no idea what you’re doing.

Showing Etiquette:

1.     Read the showing instructions and follow them precisely. (By far the most important.) The listing agent is too busy. They don’t have time to school you on how to show every house they have listed. Read their instructions carefully.

2.     Prepare your tour. Give the seller ample time to get ready for your showing. Texting ten minutes before you intend to show a non-vacant house does a disservice to you and your clients. It’s a rookie mistake.

3.     Keep it clean. Take your shoes off or wear booties if they are provided. It’s easy for buyers to forget they need to respect someone’s home. Kindly remind them.

4.     Leave a card. The seller has opened their home to you. Leaving a card is a standard courtesy to let them know you were inside. Every agent worth their salt does this.

5.     Keep it secure. Do not (I repeat DO NOT) hand the key to another agent who wants to show the home after you. Secure the key back where you found it and have the next showing agent access the lockbox. Yes, it takes extra time. No, it is not okay for you to just leave it in the door and have the next agent put it back in the box.

6.     Running behind. If you are going to be late, alert the listing agent or seller. It’s a courtesy.

7.     Canceling. If you are not going to show up at all for your appointment, alert the listing agent or seller. They’ve cleaned and prepped the house for your arrival. The least you can do is tell them you intend to reschedule. Don’t be a no-show. That’s a terrible business practice.

8.     Give showing feedback. There will be a day that you list a home that’s stuck on the market. Feedback from buyer’s agents helps the listing agent guide their client. Give it now, to get it later.

I have a million stories about agents not following standard showing etiquette and how those agents really struggled to close deals. All eight of these things are easy to practice. I’d love to hear what else you do to try and better our industry as a buyer’s agent. Leave me a comment.

Until then, keep your feet moving, chin up … and burn the white flag.

sz

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