Special offer

To Show or Not to Show? --- That is the Question.

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors

I am on a commitee of realtors that works on a weekly column for  area newspapers called, "Ask the Realtor." We all review and answer questions sent in from area readers about real estate, the market and the general processes of buying and selling a home.

Recently a question came in from a reader that asked about showing a home during and after the attorney review and if showings stop once the home is under contract. The committee had mixed opinions about whether or not the home continues to be shown once the 3 day attorney review process is over and the home is placed in the under contract phase.

I, generally, continue to show the home for my seller during the attorney review process. I think it is in the best interest of the seller to continue to show the home because, in my opinion,  until the review by the attorney's is complete the offer is not technically final. I, then, usually do not show the home once it is under contract. I did this naturally not because I knew of a "hard and fast rule." I did it this way because the sellers usually did not want it shown any longer and because it was the way most agents in my office handled the process.

What do others think? Is there a rule about this? Or is it a common or mutual understanding?

To show or not to show --- once the listing property is under contract, that is the question.

What do you think?

Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information

On this side of the Mississippi, we're escrow states and thankfully don't have attorney's in the mix as a matter of routine. We continue to show when in escrow... it's in the seller's best interests, and of course once a home is in escrow it is fully disclosed and known to all.

best 

Oct 08, 2007 01:43 PM
Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors® - Bay Minette, AL
yes gary is right we continue to but tell that it is under contract and up to the buyer if they want to view.
Oct 08, 2007 01:48 PM
Emily Mitchell
Remax Realty Centre - Orange Beach, AL
I live in Alabama, where it is rare that an attorney reviews the contract.  If I get a contract on a piece of property that I have listed, i generally don't show it anymore, unless the offer is super low.  I guess if you have a property that is not yours and you show, why not keep showing it.  Just make sure that you let the buyer know that there has already been an offer placed on the property.
Oct 08, 2007 01:49 PM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!
Thanks Gary for your fast comment. We, too, disclose to all on the mls and mark it accordingly for all to see on the computer...the status - arip, under contract, sold, etc. But a few reasoned that it still was our responsibility to continue to show and present offers --- if any came up... that is why it begged the question and wondered if there was a "rule" Thanks for your help. Pamela
Oct 08, 2007 01:51 PM
Vicky Poe
Good Ole Rocky Top - Crossville, TN
Realtor/ Auctioneer
The showings can slow up when you reveal that the home has a contract.  Buyers and their agents may consider it a waste of their time to show.
Oct 08, 2007 01:51 PM
Robert Whitelaw
Whitelaw & Sons Real Estate Services - Morgan Hill, CA
Broker, CEO, Realtor , ePro

Sounds like things are a bit different where you come from. Out here we are either in escrow, or not. In my case, what happens depends quite a bit on the market and what the offer looks like. With a strong offer with no contingencies, I will make the home pending do not show.

In this market, if I get an offer that is contingent on the sale of another property, I write into the contract that I will continue to actively market the home for backup-offers and include a 72 hour clause that lets my folks give the buyer 72 hours to move forward with the transaction (IE: Sign off on all contingencies) or let my sellers loose to accept another offer that has fewer snags.

Now what you can and cannot do in this regard is likely to vary from place to place, so check your local laws, rules and regulations. 

Oct 08, 2007 01:56 PM
Cris Burlew
Beach & Luxury Realty, Inc. - Saint Pete Beach, FL
Broker ~ St Pete Beach FL Real Estate

In my area, we have 2 choices...Pending or Active with Contract. While showings may come to a hault while in the Active with Contract stage, it is certainly in the best interest of the seller. This status actually allows us to continue to show the home and receive back up contracts.

In this market, it is extremely important to continue showing the home and accept a back up contract. I am always advising a seller on this along with my agents.

Oct 08, 2007 02:23 PM
Barbara Mulcahy
Re/Max Integrity Advantage - Berkeley Heights, NJ
ABR, CRS - Your Berkeley Heights Real Estate Source
Pamela,  I usually do the same as you - continue to show through attorney review and then once we are under contract stop showing.
Oct 10, 2007 12:01 AM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!
Thanks Gary and Vicki --- I think because it is different everywhere --- buyers and sellers --- have their own understanding of what the process is....so it is up to us to educate them to the process in our particular area. Thanks for your comments and input. ;) P
Oct 10, 2007 12:41 AM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!
Hi Robert --- those are great suggestions and I may use those in the future. Thanks for your comments. ;) P
Oct 10, 2007 12:42 AM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!
Hello Chris --- thanks for your comments . They are helpful and it does go to show you how different things are in each state. By the way, my family is from St. Pete's Beach Lido Drive specifically and other areas around the Pete's area... I used to take long walks on the beach near the Don Cesar....Love it there! Alot has changed since then.... I am sure. ;) P
Oct 10, 2007 12:45 AM
Pamela STETSON
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Abbott Realtors - Mahwah, NJ
I would love to help you buy or sell your home!
Thanks Barbara --- Yes, in New Jersey this seems to be the norm for the process here. I was just taken a back when the question came in from a reader and each person on the "commitee" had a unique perspective on the same subject. Thanks for your comment! ;) P
Oct 10, 2007 12:47 AM