Prior to scheduling a showing, drive by the house. Review the property sheet and photos. Make sure it looks like something you want to spend time and effort to visit.
Follow the schedule. When we requested the showing, the sellers prepared for the time we would be here. They may have cleaned, removed pets from the home and made new plans on how to spend their evening based on our scheduled visit. If we are early or late, it impacts the seller and makes us look rude.
If you know the house is not a good fit for you, move on and let the seller return or another potential buyer get in to look.
Wipe your feet, take off your shoes or wear protective booties when you are in a home.
Do not bring pets with you.
Do not bring food or drinks into the property.
Don’t smoke on the property, even outside.
Do not bring extended family members who will not be living in the home.
It is okay to open closets and drawers of the home, but stay out of the furniture (like dressers). Items that will not be left in the home are not your business, stay out of the sock drawer!
Do not use the bathroom. Plan your day to allow stops at a public restroom and avoid any uncomfortable situations. You do not want to end up in a house with no water and try to flush a toilet! Or have another buyer walk in on you because they were not expecting someone to be in the bathroom.
Do not sit on the furniture, jump on the bed or let your children run their hands down the wall. The seller worked hard to prepare the home for listing and staged it carefully when they left for the day. They want to come home and find the home in the same condition it was in when they left.
Leave lights, doors and locks how you found them when you arrived.
Your Realtor will have a system of walking along behind you to turn off lights and lock doors. Do not be offended if you tell them you locked the door and they go back to check it anyway. If they fall out of their routine, they are more likely to make a mistake.
Accidents happen. If something breaks, let your agent know so they can work with the listing agent and offer to make it right.
DO – act like you are being recorded at all times. Assume that there are cameras everywhere and behave accordingly.