Property Tour Etiquette

When you’re touring homes, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of potentially finding your dream home, but keep in mind you’re still visiting someone else’s home. As such, be a respectful guest.

• Be honest about buying – Don’t schedule a two-hour tour with an agent when you’re not serious about buying yet. Agents don’t get paid until they close, so blocking out hours of their day to show a home to a casual shopper is disrespectful of their time.
• Be on time – If you’ve scheduled a viewing with an agent or seller, get there on time.
• Take off your shoes – You won’t be the last person to tour the home, so agents need to keep it in immaculate condition. Many open houses request visitors to remove their shoes or provide disposable booties to put over their shoes.
• Don’t snoop – You can be thorough without being disrespectful. Don’t rifle through drawers or personal property. Don’t ask highly personal questions about the current owners.
• Ask to take photos – You usually won’t get any pushback, but in case there’s something lying around that’s a potential privacy issue for the current owner, let the agent hosting the tour know before you take photos.
• Don’t critique – It’s not your place to tell the agent or seller that their curtains or rugs are hideous. If you have legitimate concerns about things that will affect your decision to buy (flooring, moldings, peeling paint), those should be addressed when you put in an offer.
• Don’t overstay your welcome – Cap your tour at 30 minutes. Feel free to schedule a second, and even third visit, but don’t push it unless you’re serious about putting in an offer.
• Don’t bring too many people – Showing up to a viewing with one or two companions is fine, but anything more can be excessive. Follow the rules of how many guests you’d feel comfortable bringing to someone’s party.
• Don’t “pop in” – Never, under any circumstances, visit a home unannounced even if you’re in contract. Until you sign and close, that property doesn’t belong to you.
• Don’t contact the sellers – All communication with a seller and their agent should go through your buying agent.