Local trend: "No Showings Until the Open House" - a step backward for industry professionalism

I agree with comment nos. 31 and 34.  It is simply a marketing technique in a local market.  In addition, if you don't like working weekends, you are in the wrong business.

That's not a trend that has found it's way into our area, but part of that may be because not many agents want to have open houses. They are, after all too busy for that, and the newbie agents aren't there to host them. The few that do that get disappointed as there is too much inventory in the market, and very few want to chase for multiple offer situations.

Michelle, I can see where this may work in some markets. Properties get the most exposure in the first week. I would think it may keep buyers from waiting a week. Good discussion.

As long as the listing agent is abiding by the same timeframe (and not doing this in order to gain a double end), while inconvenient, if your mls permits it, sounds like you're stuck.

This is not a practice performed in my market. I'd agree with some of the comments as it applies to the effectiveness in a sluggish buyer's market.

I have a friend who has been procrastinating listing there home for sale since December because they need to do some minor cosmetic repairs.  I feel the only way to get them to list this home for sale is to list it this week and not allow any showings until next Sundays open House.  Some people only get things done when they have to meet a deadline.

If its for sale...show it already.....the place will either sell right away or not. With so many choices in the market today, the main rule of Real Estate still holds.....Get in and out of the market as quick as you can

It's allowed in our MLS....my team and I are listing agents and we use it often....I sold my home with this method....it gets the job done quickly for the seller and for the highest price....there are usually multiple offers....the more people in the home at one time, the greater the urgency to buy....my own home had 30 showings on the first day of the open house and 5 offers.

In my m arket when agents do that, it usually means that if you are a client with an agent, then no show until the open house, but if you are a buyer on your own, then come on it, and the listing agent will show the home to them in an effort to double end it. The "no show until...." shows up in the confidential remarks that the public doesnt see, so buyers on their own will call to see the home.

Michelle,

My MLS provides a form for "delayed showings."  It stipulates NO views at all - the office cannot caravan, the list agent can't shouldn't bring folks to see, no agent previews. 

I find it an interesting concept and might just use it on my next new listing.  Of course, the seller will need to sign that special form - and I'll play by the rules.

In our area we are required to submit the listing within 4 days of signature.  However, all active listings shall be available for showing immediately upon entry into the MLS system, excluding listings which require all offers to be contingent on interior inspection.  Listings can not restrict showing until a future date.  My feeling has always been if the home is not ready to be shown then wait to list it until it is. Lots of interesting conversation.

Michelle, not to change the subject but there is no rule that says you can not be in this business if you don't like to work weekends :)  I rarely work weekends because I work primarily with sellers and work by appointment only.

As far as this topic, I would really be interested to see the actual MLS rules that prohibit this and how it can be policed if indeed it is not allowed.  We have www.bidselect.com properties that won't look at any offers on new listings for the first 5 days which in effect does the same thing in my opinion.

Good blog topic for sure

I defenitely could not see this working in New England, or in the majority of the Southern California markets I worked in prior to moving here. I work with sellers to get the homes ready to show, and of course for the MLS photos.  Then they want to get moving and get showings underway asap-no waiting around.

I have to disagree, Vanessa (Cooment #74) -- I use this method very successfully in Southern California for my sellers. And, no, I do not "cheat" the system and show unrepresented buyers in order to double end it easier. All buyer prospects (mine too) abid by the same schedule.

My goal is simple ... promote the home in the most favorable way. And it works!

That is very interesting that now you use calendar days only since we, realtors, usually work on weekends. 

We still often have ''no showings before open house'' requests.