As a real estate agent, showing homes is an important part of your job. It’s the moment when prospective buyers get to see the home they’ve been dreaming of, and it’s your job to make sure that experience is as seamless and enjoyable as possible. In order to ensure success during a showing, here are some do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind.
*Please note that conducting home showings for a showing service app (Showami), comes with a different set of conditions. Such as non-solicit and Showami showing agents are not to give an opinion of the price or condition of the home or neighborhood.
The Home Showing Do’s
1. Do prioritize safety
Showings should always be conducted safely and responsibly. Make sure that potential buyers are aware of any safety hazards or risks before entering the property so that they can take appropriate precautions. This includes making sure all doors and windows are securely locked before leaving the home after a showing. You should also remind buyers to wear masks if necessary, as well as practice social distancing if applicable.
2. Arrive early
Showings should always be conducted safely and responsibly. Make sure that potential buyers are aware of any safety hazards or risks before entering the property so that they can take appropriate precautions. This includes making sure all doors and windows are securely locked before leaving the home after a showing. You should also remind buyers to wear masks if necessary, as well as practice social distancing if applicable.
3. Make sure the house is clean and clutter-free
This includes putting away personal items such as family photos, children’s toys, etc. You want the potential buyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home, and that’s difficult to do if the home is full of someone else’s stuff.
An overlooked item in making sure the house is clean, is for you as an agent, to check the bathrooms. Make sure the toilets are flushed and the seats to the toilets are down.
4. Make sure all the lights are turned on
You want the house to feel bright and welcoming, so make sure all the lights are turned on before buyers arrive. This will reassure your clients that the electricity works in the home and safety in knowing the home is well-lit.
5. Open up all the curtains and blinds
This will allow natural light to come in and make the house look even more inviting. The reason for allowing all the light into the house is scientific! Light brings a sense of positivity and safety to anyone entering the home. (National Library of Medicine, 2021)
6. Give buyers space
Once they’re inside, let them wander around and take their time looking at everything without being too close behind them; you don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable or like they’re being rushed through the property.
7. Be aware of any listening devices
Some homes you tour may have cameras or listening devices. It’s important to be aware of these devices, but also to make your clients aware of these devices.
8. Be available for questions, but try not to hover
There is nothing more off-putting to a client, than an agent who isn’t “present” with them during the showing. This includes not being on your phone during the showing and/or showing disinterest in the person you are showing the home to.
9. Listen to what your client finds important
Your clients have an opinion, listen to them! By understanding what matters most in their search for a new home and adapting your approach accordingly, you can do much more than just show them rooms they may like. You can adapt their frame of mind and help them envision the home they want and the features they are looking for.
10. Lock up the house and leave the key
After the showing, be sure to leave the key and lock up the house. This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by home many people forget this simple task.
Things NOT to do during a home showing
1. Do not smoke during the showing
If you smoke, make sure you do so outside of the home before potential buyers arrive. Be sure to finish your cigarette, with plenty of time for the smell to dissipate from the area. The last thing you want is for them to smell cigarette smoke when they walk in.
2. Don’t neglect curb appeal
The entrance to a home is the first impression your clients have of the home. Be sure to point out any exterior features that are particularly eye-catching or may be important to the client.
3. Don’t talk too much
It’s hard not to talk a lot during a home showing, especially if the client is rather quiet. However, your clients don’t need to be oversold on their dream homes. As a real estate agent, it’s your job to help them envision themselves in the home by gently guiding the conversation. Take some time to ask a variety of thought-provoking questions during the home showing.
4. Don’t track dirt into the house
Be wary of the dirt you and your clients could bring into a home. There is no bigger sign of disrespect than dragging dirt throughout a home you are touring. This sends a very clear message to the seller, that you and/or your client, don’t respect the homeowner’s space.
If there is an option to place booties over your shoes or space to clean your shoes off, be sure to do so. If your shoes are particularly dirty, consider removing your shoes for home showing.
5. Don’t wear gym clothes
No matter how many times you’ve shown your clients a property, you still need to dress professionally. Dressing down because they are your friend or family, is still not acceptable. It portrays a lack of respect for your client along with a lack of professionalism for you as an agent.
6. Don’t answer questions, you don’t know the answer to
It’s okay not to have the answer right away for every question your clients may have. In fact, it is better to hold and answer their question with the correct answer later, than to give the wrong answer right away. By giving the wrong answer during a home showing, you could be setting yourself up to be sued.
7. Don’t be texting other people, during the showing
It’s important to give your clients, your undivided attention. It may be difficult to put the phone away during the home showing. However, think of it as if your client bought your time. Seriously, they are a chance for you to make a commission and that home showing is “their” time in which they’ve “bought” from you.
8. Don’t drink and show
Maybe you just finished up a networking event, golfing trip or celebratory brunch and had a few drinks during that time. It’s not wise to then to either drive, let a lone, go show your clients a home. Showing up to a home showing while intoxicated, can lead to a number of different problems and comes off very unprofessional.
9. Don’t play music or have the television on
It’s recommended to enter the property prior to the clients, in hopes of preparing the home for a showing. In preparation for the showing, it is recommended to make sure all the TVs and music devices are off. If the home is occupied during the showing, kindly ask the occupants to turn off any devices with sound. That way the potential client is able to ask questions without any interruptions.
10. Don’t forget to lock up and leave the key
There is nothing more unsettling, than realizing you have a key in your pocket… that isn’t yours. Not locking up the house and leaving the key can lead to many issues. Starting with, the current occupant of the home may not have access to the home without the key. By leaving the door unlocked, you are responsible for any items stolen during the time in which the key is in your procession. Lastly, you’ll now need to go back to the property and return the key you have for the property.