Treat a seller's property with respect.

This sounds obvious, but are you sure?  Of course we are expected to operate in compliance with the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics, but in addition, we should be following common sense values of common courtesy.  And that includes buyers' agents showing the homes listed by other agents.

With that in mind, the Professional Conduct Working Group (PCWG) of the Professional Standards Committee has put together a list of guidelines for showing proper respect for the public, for property, and for peers.  The one I wanted to discuss today is regarding property.

If you ever watch some of the real estate television shows on HGTV, you may have seen the show "Property Virgins".  In my opinion there is good news and bad news about this program and how it educates our potential buyers.

Most of these first time buyers give the show's host a long list of features and amenities they "must" have in their home, in the best neighborhood, and within their budget.  Very quickly they learn  that they might be unrealistic, and they must prioritize their needs and wants or substantially increase their budget.  That's the good news.

BUT - and it's a BIG but - the host starts taking them around to show them houses for sale and she does what I consider to be a giant no-no.  She unlocks the door, then she sends the buyers into the house while she waits outside.

Some of these homes are clearly still occupied, and the sellers' belongings are at the mercy of the good faith of the buyers.  When they have toured the house, they come back to the host and discuss what they liked and didn't like.

Now in the case of this TV show, they are actually accompanied by a camera crew so they aren't really left alone, but clearly the impression viewers get is that their realtor should let them roam free inside the seller's house unsupervised.  Terrible idea!

On this and other TV shows, you see people bringing all their children to showings, and although the realtor stays with the parents, the children are racing from room to room to pick out bedrooms, sliding down bannisters, checking out swimming pools and treehouses, and otherwise tempting liability for the seller, the buyers, and the realtors.

To summarize and paraphrase the PCWG guidelines for respecting property, when you are entrusted with the key to a home, you should take responsibility for your guests and the property.  Keep everyone together and leave the property exactly as you find it, including lights, locks, drapes, blinds, etc.

Make sure you have permission to enter.  Just because there is a lockbox doesn't mean you can enter whenever you wish.  Check the showing instructions in MLS carefully and follow them.  Of course no smoking or eating inside, and absolutely no one should be unaccompanied by an agent at all times.

I think most of us follow these guidelines without being told, but we all have experienced occasions when each of them has been violated by someone.  I once had a buyers' agent remove the keys from the lockbox on one of my listings and give them to his buyers so they could go in to measure. 

When I called him on it, he said he didn't want to keep running back and forth every time they had a question, so he just let them go by themselves!  My seller had moved out but hadn't yet moved many of her things, which were still in the house.  And I couldn't get into the house, nor could it be shown to other potential buyers, until his buyers got around to bringing me the keys.  Needless to say I was upset.

While the PCWG guidelines are voluntary and not specifically subject to NAR discipline, they are important rules of etiquette.  If you want to read the entire list, you can read it in the August 2012 issue of Sacramento Realtor Newsletter on page 4. 
If you are a buyer reading this, please understand that your realtor may ask you to comply with these guidelines, and that they are for the protection of you, your realtor, and the property, and following them will make your house-hunting experience more enjoyable, safer and easier, and will help to prevent unnecessary liability for all.

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Thinking of selling your home?  Remember it costs you nothing for me to come out and discuss your home, the market in your area, and give you a market analysis and presentation so that you will know what you can expect to get for your home.

Call for appointment:  (916) 705-8951

Also Remember,
I can help you to tour any home for sale in Sacramento County and the surrounding areas, no matter what firm has it listed, and I can help you with your purchase if you find the perfect home for you.

Just give me a call at (916) 705-8951

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Susan Neal
Broker / Realtor

Susan Neal Fine Properties
Century 21 Noel David Realty
Fair Oaks, California

Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 30+ years experience. 
I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction.

"Happy clients make me happy."

For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916)705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.    

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