Setting the Stage for a Professional Showing
Walking into a home with potential buyers isn’t just about unlocking a door and letting them wander around. Every showing is an opportunity to showcase not only the property but also your professionalism. The way you conduct yourself during a showing speaks volumes about your credibility, trustworthiness, and attention to detail—qualities that can win you referrals, repeat clients, and respect in the industry.
Think about it: Sellers go to great lengths to prepare their home, making sure it’s spotless, depersonalized, and staged just right. They’ve vacuumed the floors, lit the perfect-smelling candle, and maybe even sent their pets to a neighbor’s house—all in the hopes of impressing potential buyers. The least you can do is treat their home with the same level of care and respect.
And let’s be honest—real estate is a small world. Sellers, listing agents, and even your own clients will notice how you handle showings. If you leave doors unlocked, track mud through the house, or let clients poke through dresser drawers, word will get around. On the flip side, when you’re thoughtful, professional, and detail-oriented, you gain a reputation as the kind of agent people trust and want to work with.
That’s why these best practices aren’t just polite gestures—they’re essential habits for any real estate professional. From announcing yourself before entering to locking up securely when you leave, these small actions contribute to a smooth, respectful, and professional experience for everyone involved.
So before your next showing, take a moment to check off these simple but powerful steps. They’ll help you avoid mishaps, keep the sellers happy, and most importantly, strengthen your reputation as a top-tier real estate pro. Let’s dive in!
Best Practices for Property Showings
Make sure to check all these boxes every time you show a home. These simple actions can prevent mishaps and show everyone involved that you’re a true professional:
- Always announce yourself before entering: Even if you have an appointment and the home is supposed to be empty, knock or ring the bell and call out “Agent entering!” as you open the door. This courteous step avoids startling anyone (like a homeowner who lost track of time or a pet still inside). It’s a respectful way to start the showing on the right foot.
- Be punctual and communicative: Arrive on time for the scheduled showing, and if you’re running late or need to cancel, notify the listing agent or homeowner as soon as possible. Sellers often go to great lengths to prepare their home for a showing – tidying up, getting the family (and pets) out of the house, etc. Respect their effort by respecting the agreed schedule.
- Remove shoes or use booties: Don’t risk tracking dirt or scuffing floors. If the seller has requested “shoes off,” make sure you and your clients oblige. Even if they haven’t, it’s often a nice gesture to slip off your shoes or wear disposable shoe covers (especially in bad weather). This shows you care about keeping their home clean.
- Keep your group together: Stay with your buyers at all times and gently discourage them from wandering off alone. Supervise children closely – a home showing is not the time for kids to be exploring unsupervised. By keeping everyone together, you can ensure no one accidentally breaks or disrupts something. Plus, you’ll be on hand to answer questions and maintain control of the tour.
- No touching personal items or snooping: Remind your clients to look with their eyes, not their hands. It’s fine to open a closet or cabinet if needed to show storage space (that’s part of the house tour), but digging through dressers, nightstands, or the fridge is a big no-no. Treat the owner’s personal belongings as off-limits. This also means not using the bathrooms or other facilities unless it’s truly an emergency (and if so, always ask permission or inform the listing agent).
- Don’t adjust the thermostat or electronics: If the house is a bit warm or chilly, resist the urge to change the thermostat. Same goes for switching on the TV, playing the piano, or tinkering with smart home devices. It’s not your home, and these actions can be seen as invasive. Focus on the property itself, and if a light is off in a dark room, ask your client to wait a moment while you turn it on (and then turn it back off when leaving).
- Mind the pets and doors: If the listing mentions pets, be extra cautious. Make sure doors or gates are closed behind you so Fido or Fluffy doesn’t make a great escape. Never let a pet out of a room or cage unless instructed to. Likewise, don’t leave doors wide open while chatting – you don’t want bugs (or the family cat) sneaking in or out.
- No food, drinks, or smoking inside: It might seem obvious, but bringing a coffee or letting your client carry in fast food is asking for trouble. Spills and odors can ruin a homeowner’s day. Plan ahead and finish snacks or drinks before you enter, and definitely save the celebratory cigar for later. The home should stay as fresh and neat as it was when you arrived.
- Leave the home as you found it: As you wrap up the showing, take a moment to make sure everything is exactly how it was when you arrived. Turn off lights (or back on, if the owner had certain lights on for ambiance). If you unlocked any doors or opened a window, lock or close them again. Double-check that you haven’t inadvertently left any interior doors ajar. Essentially, reset the house to the condition the owners prepared for you.
- Lock up and secure the property: This is critical. Ensure that all doors are locked and any key is returned to the lockbox or the agreed spot. If the home has an alarm system and you were given a code, set it correctly upon leaving. A final walk-through before you go can save everyone a lot of worry. (And yes, don’t forget to leave a business card if that’s customary in your market – it lets the owners know you were there and is a professional courtesy.)
Following these best practices might add a few extra minutes to your showings, but it’s time well spent. You’re protecting the seller’s property and showing respect – something everyone appreciates.
Reputation and Trust: Why Courtesy Counts
Doing the right thing during showings isn’t just about avoiding complaints in the moment; it’s about building your long-term reputation. Real estate is a small world, and word gets around. Here are a few ways being courteous and respectful benefits you as an agent:
- Sellers (and listing agents) remember your behavior: Imagine the seller comes home after a day of showings and finds everything just as they left it. They’re going to feel relief and gratitude knowing their home was in good hands. On the other hand, if they walk into a mess – lights blazing, doors unlocked, maybe a trampled flowerbed out front – you can bet they’ll mention it to their agent. Don’t be the agent who gets an angry call or a bad reputation among home sellers. By being respectful, you make the listing agent’s job easier and show that you’re a trustworthy professional to work with.
- Clients notice professionalism: Your buyers are watching how you conduct yourself. When they see you treating someone else’s home with care, it sends a powerful message. It shows that you’re detail-oriented, respectful, and taking your job seriously. This builds their trust in you; if you respect the seller’s property, you’ll likely respect your buyer’s needs and interests too. Little things like asking “Should we take our shoes off?” or gently reminding a client not to open a private drawer reflect well on you. Clients will remember that you went above and beyond to be professional, which can translate into referrals and repeat business.
- Your reputation in the industry grows: Real estate is a reputation business, and word travels fast in our industry. If you consistently demonstrate courtesy and care during showings, other agents will take note. Listing agents may be more inclined to work with you or accept your offers because they know you handle their listings respectfully. Over time, these positive impressions snowball into a strong professional reputation, opening doors to new cooperation and opportunities. In contrast, agents who are careless with showings might find others hesitant to do business with them. In short, professional courtesy pays off (literally and figuratively) by fostering trust all around.
Never Stop Learning: Continuing Education for Real Estate Agents
Even after years on the job, there’s always something new to learn or a good habit to reinforce. Real estate is an ever-evolving field, and staying sharp is part of being the best agent you can be. This is where continuing education comes in.
Real estate CE courses (continuing education courses for agents) aren’t just a box to check for renewing your license – they’re an opportunity to polish your skills and stay updated on best practices.
Many online real estate CE classes even cover professional etiquette, ethics, and legal updates that include day-to-day scenarios like showings. By taking advantage of these resources, you ensure that you’re not inadvertently missing any new guidelines or brilliant tips that could make you even more effective.
Another perk of ongoing learning is that it’s flexible and accessible. Busy schedule? No problem – there are plenty of affordable real estate CE online options that let you complete your real estate license renewal courses at your own pace.
You can often choose topics most relevant to your growth, whether it’s refreshers on property law or a quick course on handling clients’ privacy and security concerns during showings.
Continuing education for real estate agents is designed to keep you knowledgeable and confident. It reinforces the importance of doing things the right way (like respecting properties during showings) and helps you discover new ways to elevate your client service.
Chance to Impress
Every showing is a chance to impress not just your clients, but the sellers and other agents too. When you follow these best practices, you demonstrate professionalism, build trust, and protect your reputation in the industry.
So next time you’re touring a property, remember to be the respectful guest that homeowners appreciate. Don’t forget to stay up to date with your real estate continuing education – it will keep you at the top of your game, make sure you never stop learning, and solidify your status as a trusted, successful agent.
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