REALTOR® Etiquette Starts at Home
A REALTOR® in Mesa writes: “I’ve had several showing issues where agents have been (to one of my listings) and the owner arrives back to the property before I get there and they discover lights on, doors unlocked and I’m the ‘bad guy’. ”
While the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association establishes objective, enforceable ethical standards governing the professional conduct of REALTORS®, it does not address issues of courtesy or etiquette. Based on input from many sources, the Professional Conduct Working Group of the Professional Standards Committee developed the following list of professional courtesies for use by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis. This list is not all-inclusive and may be supplemented as a result of local customs and practices.
Pathway to Professionalism (abridged)
II. Respect for Property
1. Be responsible for everyone you allow to enter listed property.
2. Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied.
3. When showing property, keep all members of the group together.
4. Never allow unaccompanied access to property without permission.
5. Enter property only with permission even if you have a lockbox key or combination.
6. When the occupant is absent, leave the property as you found it (lights, heating, cooling,
drapes, etc.) If you think something is amiss (e.g. vandalism), contact the listing broker immediately.
7. Be considerate of the seller’s property. Do not allow anyone to eat, drink, smoke, dispose of trash, use bathing or sleeping facilities, or bring pets. Leave the house as you found it unless instructed otherwise.
8. Use sidewalks; if weather is bad, take off shoes and boots inside property.
9. Respect sellers’ instructions about photographing or videographing their properties’ interiors or exteriors.
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These professional courtesies are intended to be used by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis,
and cannot form the basis for a professional standards complaint.
Related Resources:
Pathways to Professionalism (unabridged)
A Pathway to Professional Conduct (video)