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Can I use the restroom?

By
Real Estate Agent with 972.978.3109 0595204

There is no right or wrong when it comes to showing etiquette. No book has been published with the laws of Seller and Buyer 'norms'. Many of my clients, though, have questions regarding what is customary during showings. And to me, it’s all about the basics of courtesy.

Aside from the assumed request for appointments to be on time, the home to be left locked the way it was found, as well as lights turned off and the thermostat left untouched, there can be some other recommendations to heed from Sellers to Buyers:

  • Try not to park in the driveway - especially if you should have an oil leak.
  • Please remove shoes. Doubly so if it has rained outside in the last 48 hours.
  • If a potty break is unavoidable, please try to use the guest bathroom and not the master bathroom. Flush.
  • Monitor/ Carry small children. Little hands get curious and some collectibles are family heirlooms. 

On the flip side, Buyers have some requests for Sellers when they prepare to view homes. Common courtesies include:

  • Please leave the home for the showing, to avoid awkward small talk and discomfort.
  • Leave the porch light on for safety - especially in the Fall and Winter months.
  • Even keeping the heat at 65 during the winter and the air conditioning at 78 during the summer provides a more welcome atmosphere.
  • The garage and storage buildings should be accessible - Buyers are going to examine every room.

It's not rocket science. It's a Seller wanting to sell their home, and a Buyer looking for right right home to Buy. These tiny tips can make things much easier to facilitate both.

Are you ready to Buy or Sell in 2017?

Posted by

DFWAshley, Ashley Cox, Dallas Realtor (972) 978-3109

Search Listings Homes for Sale Dallas, DFW  Sell, List my Home for Sale in Dallas  Get CMA Property Value in Dallas

Ashley Cox is a Realtor® with Dallas City Center Realtors and strives to provide excellent service and assistance to Buyers and Sellers in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Buy | Sell | Rent  - call/txt (972) 978-3109

Show All Comments Sort:
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

An interesting request over the last few years is can I take a photo...with so many photos on line is there really a need to take yet another photo or series of photos, how does the seller feel about their property being photographed.

Jan 06, 2017 05:39 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

before they started taping down toilets after winterizinf repos, you would often come into a bathroom and leave immediately. Flushing is a big deal.

Jan 06, 2017 07:15 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Great common sense tips and the title is catchy. I had a luxury listing where after a showing to a family, my client called to say the kids had pooped in each toilet in the home and hadn't flushed. Fortunately, she had good humor about it... but as you might imagine there will be sellers who wouldn't be so understanding.

Jan 06, 2017 07:19 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Best to always treat a seller's home as though it were your own . . . well, on second thought, maybe not!

Jan 06, 2017 07:30 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Congratulations on your featured blog.

Great tips for sellers and buyers. Courtesy is key!

Jan 06, 2017 07:52 AM
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Common sense never fails...people do!

Jan 06, 2017 08:03 AM
Mike Bjork
Evolve Bank & Trust - Redondo Beach, CA

Great job, Ashley!  You'd think these courtesies would be common sense, but it seems like many people need reminding of these courtesies.

Jan 06, 2017 09:06 AM
Robert Hammerstein
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Ashley - All in all a very good list that should not bring any objections from either side.

Jan 06, 2017 12:52 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great tips whether you are buyer or seller. Common courtesy and common sense is required and not always what one side gives the other.

Jan 06, 2017 01:33 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I've had the occassional mishap, but mostly in my market buyers behave and sellers are not there.  The worst is a buyer using a bathroom in a home with the water off.  WHO does that?

Jan 06, 2017 02:01 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Weichert Realtors, Welch and Company - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Sellers should expect that the bathroom will be used...I agree, use the half bath not master bath.  Removing shoes during inclement weather is a must. Sellers need to shovel sidewalks/driveways/walkways of snow--including the back deck or patio!

Jan 06, 2017 04:43 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ashley- well said.  Common sense and courtesy on the part of both parties are important.  

Jan 06, 2017 06:23 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Great common sense suggestions for both buyers and sellers.

Jan 06, 2017 06:40 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

When in doubt, ask.  I have had buyers walk through the front door and then ask what they can do, including using the bathroom.  It is a courtesy to the sellers to not over look in cabinets and drawers as well.

Jan 07, 2017 06:14 AM
Leah Soares
Realty Investments of Nevada Inc - Las Vegas, NV
Doing Real Estate Differently

Great topic Ashley!  Thanks for sharing :)

Jan 07, 2017 03:07 PM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Congrats on the feature Ashley!    These are excellent points.    

I like your use of the white board & rock people graphic - did you create that yourself?

Jan 07, 2017 03:20 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

You would think these are all obvious, but some folks don't have common sense.

Jan 10, 2017 12:19 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, simple tips that can help make the house selling/buying process much smoother.

Jan 10, 2017 03:53 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

There is a lack of common sense these days & what my mom used to yell comes to mind 'go before you leave home'.

Jan 10, 2017 05:35 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

These are simple behaviors that will help buyers, sellers and their agents.  Seems like common sense but you know how common that is....

Jan 13, 2017 05:50 AM