SHOULD AGENTS DISCLOSE SHOWING INTENTIONS?

Previewing property is just that regardless the purpose, that agent may meet a prospective buyer for that home today. Your seller should be glad to have agents looking at her home.

No particular obligation as far as I'm concerned Paula.

I try to always specify whether I am previewing or showing.  Sometimes I do call it a showing when it's just me - usually if I'm viewing it for a client who has a hard schedule or is out of town.  I let them do the whole nine yards for that because I tend to take photos and video for the client I'm viewing it for, so I do want it to look just like a showing.  But when it's for me to know what's out there or for CMA, I say preview.  Most of the showing desks know what to do with that, but the smaller places that handle their own showings do get very confused.  I don't know that they pass it on to the sellers because I think the receptionist has no clue what the difference is.   But I think it is nice to differentiate.  I also dont' know that agents take the time to prep their clients on the difference either.   Note to myself to do so.

Paula, I guess it doesn't hurt to say they are just previewing it for a cma, but Chris makes a good point that it could turn into a future buyer showing. One never knows in real estate....

I don't believe we have an obligation but I do specify to the agent or the sellers if I am coming by myself and that the owner doesn't have to leave since I don't have a client with me.  It depends on the showing instructions who I say this to.  I was told previewing means I am just looking where as showing the property means I am bringing a client.  Maybe something got lost in the translation or I was informed wrong of these words meaning.

I have called many many times to schedule a "preview" of a property, and I still get calls afterwards from the agents about "how did the showing go", and I tell them, well when I scheduled with your office, I told them that I was just "pre-viewing" the property for one of my clients coming into town, or whatever my purpose was (not for a cma usually), but sometimes for a BPO, which is not much difference. 

So, it seems even when you tell them at the office, or I have even called the listing agent to schedule, they still don't remember, write it down, nor certainly tell the seller the reason for my showing. They just schedule like any other normal showing. I have sold properties however, because I felt it was a "good fit" for my client after pre-viewing a particular home.

Anyway, from my experience with telling them that "I'm just previewing the home" it doesn't matter if I disclose the reason for the visit. That's my opinion anyway.

That won't make me stop telling them when I schedule however. I always say "I would like to schedule a showing" or "I would like to pre-view this home" that's just my habit that I'm into doing. I'm just saying it doesn't seem to ever matter to anyone writing down or recording the showing. I suppose they don't have a "blank" to fill in to record the purpose.

Paula....I think the agent who was viewing the property should have stated that she was alone and just previewing....as long as the seller knew there was not a buyer there, maybe the anxiety would have been less.....the home should still be very presentable....that agent will remember the home for future buyers....it should show well.

I think we definietly need to be communicating our intentions to the seller, after all they are the owner of the home.  I know I would be put off if my own home was on the market and an agent wasn't clear in their intentions.

Also take in consideration if a seller has ten showings but for arguments sake we will say seven of those "showings" were agent previews. The listing agent and seller needs to know this in order to judge the true traffic coming through the home.

Market's are tough enough we all need to pitch in and help each other out.

I do alot of previewing and always let the agent know.  My expectation if that the home will be in decent showing condition but without the frills and that its OK for th owner to be present. 

I always schedule as a preview so the agent will know that I am not bringing a buyer. The agents are thrilled that I want to see their listing and I would hope their seller's are glad too!

It is good to let everyone know if it is a showing or a preview but I appreciate both!  A little extra work might be what is needed for an agent as well as a seller to see the possibilities.

i agree, it is courtesy.