We all know Realtors don't read.

Alan, my seller recently called to tell me she had found a half-eaten peanut butter sandwich next to an agent's card. The agent said he knew nothing about it, but considering the fact that the seller lives alone, I remain suspect! Thank God he wasn't eating stinky cheese... 

It is not too much to ask of a professional.  Courtesy, professionalism...not all agents walk the walk!

May have to go back to the day when the agent came to the office to sign their name for the key and had to return it and sign off...we take very good care of our listings and have our own office lock boxes... agents have to call for the combination we get their names and after they leave we check on the property and reset to a different combination...our clients feel secure with this method...agents need to be held accountable to a higher standard...good article...realtor lock boxes are too costly anyway...

With you on this one Alan; growing up I learned this lesson but sadly we do live in a different culture.

Alan May I agree it is more difficult..but we need to protect our client's property 

Here in Florida, people like to mess with the a/c system in the summer just to 'make sure' that it is running efficiently. Unfortunately, they tend to 'forget' to reset them and, if the home is vacant, the a/c can be running hard for a while, running up the owner's bill.  I have taken to taping a notice over the thermostat telling them not to mess with it but usually follow on behind showings just to make sure. I nearly always find a light on or a door unlocked.

It's funny how buyer's can feel empowered to turn down the a/c or come in like the house is theirs.  Not all buyer's, but some do.  I am always amazed!

I think they do pay attention UNDER PRIVATE REMARKS.

If they call asking how much is it? When you review all offers? I ignore them.

I send them an eMail "pls come to our OH this SAT PM"

If they still don't read my REMARKS " Tues 2 PM submit offer deadline with all disclosures reviewed signed, emd,pof as-is, clean contract preferred."  At 3 PM "Too late".

Couldn't agree more!" Leave as found." I also always check that every door and window is locked before leaving.

So disrespectful. I came to a listing of mine once and found these kinds of things. I called the agent who had showed the home and discussed it with her. When she seemed unapologetic, I called her broker. Unacceptable. 

Alan - you hit a nerve with all of us.  I am always amazed at how some showing agents don't have the common courtesy to "leave it as you found it"  I go through the whole house before I lock up to make sure everything is locked up and if the lights were off - turn lights off or check the showing instructions to make sure you follow the instructions....common courtesy goes a long way!

Happens often.  I always check doors and lights plus anything else that's asked by the listing agent.  

Some people and agents just continually project that they just don't care and that they have no respect for other peoples property.

Great post. I find in order to increase the chances of better communication, we have to repeat the instructions about three different ways. Once in the Realtor Only Remarks, again in the showing remarks, and finally in the confirmation of showing message. Along with this, it never hurts to have a message at the property as well. I believe most agents actually do a very good job with handling showings however like many other things, examples of poor behavior comes in waves. If it happens once, it will happen again twice more in a short period of time.

People in general are rather disrespectful these days. That's why it's "appointment only" for listings with brand new carpet. Can't trust buyers and their agents to remove their shoes as requested. How are things in Evanston (my old stomping grounds)?

It is surely frustrating!  I live by the "leave the home as I found it" rule, but have learned that you can't count on it from all.  I do agree that unsecured exterior doors is really bad - we all need to be particularly focused on being sure the home is secure as we leave. 

A super post, and great read, I'm glad I came across it in the archives.

Alan, I think we could write a book about this but who would read it. :) I recently had an offer put on a home. The agent wrote in that their was a problem with one of the windows. I went to the home. What they failed to tell me was they had tried to open a window and it did not close so they left it open...in the middle of summer.. with a/c running, rain and bugs flying in. Lovely! Every door and drawer in the whole home was left open. Going to start leaving colorful paper on the door requesting they leave the home as they found it. 

It can get frustrating, or should I say infuriating.  This past winter we had some serious expenses when one agent tested the plumbing and left the water running for a few weeks, and another turned the heat up to 90, in a vacant rural home.

I think the same way you do Alan, leave it like you found out. I do have to admit though, sometimes I forget if the lights were on or off and I turn them out when we leave. I'm only human!