Whether you're selling or buying, understanding showing etiquette helps everyone that is looking to make a move.
For Sellers: How Much Notice Should You Expect?
Standard practice: 2–24 hours advance notice, depending on your listing agreement and local market norms.
Typical scenarios:
- 24-hour notice – Most common for occupied homes; gives you time to tidy and make arrangements
- 2–4 hour notice – Common in hot markets or for vacant homes
- Same-day or short notice – Possible for vacant properties or if you've agreed to flexible showing terms
- Initial open house blitz: Have interested buyers only come at the open house we have for the first weekend and restrict private showings outside that time.
You control the terms. Your listing agreement should specify required notice, restricted hours, and whether you need to be present or prefer to leave. It it typical to have a secure lockbox at the property for other real estate agents to access a key. Sellers should not be home for appointments.
For Buyers: How Much Notice Should You Give?
Best practice: Request showings as early as possible—ideally 24 hours in advance, but at minimum a few hours.
Sellers may need time to prepare (pets, kids, tidying, scheduling. The sellers agent might need to be there with us..Last-minute requests can be denied, especially for occupied homes
In competitive markets, faster showings can give you an edge—but respect the seller's boundaries. If you need a same day, try to be flexible on time & be respectful if it can't work for the seller.
It is very rude to have buyers be late. The owners may have other plans and might not be able to accommodate a different time. Never show up without an appointment requested or confirmed. Some sellers have restricted times, perhaps they might be flexible if you give enough days time to plan. Also a buyers agent, I may be unavailable with other clients, other work projects or personal things I need to do.
It is a lot more work to organize showings than people think that aren't in the business, or haven't moved. Ask me for stories including how we had to almost negotiate just to get in.
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