Let’s be honest: stepping into someone else’s home can feel a little odd. You’re walking into their private space, surrounded by their memories and personal belongings. 

While open houses and showings are meant to invite buyers to imagine living there, it’s important to strike a balance. Respecting the homeowner’s space not only demonstrates professionalism but also ensures the experience is pleasant for everyone involved—especially the sellers.

Good etiquette during a showing reflects positively on both REALTORS^® and their clients. It reassures sellers that their home is in good hands and helps maintain a professional atmosphere. With that in mind, here are a few lighthearted (but absolutely serious) reminders to keep in mind during viewings.

1. The pantry conundrum

Buyers need to assess whether the kitchen has enough storage, but there’s no need to rifle through every drawer like a pirate searching for treasure. Respect the seller’s space. Before opening that spice drawer or testing the utensils, ask yourself: Would I appreciate someone doing this in my home? If the answer is no, move on.

2. The appliance tester

A shiny stainless-steel oven can be tempting, but this isn’t the time to channel your inner Gordon Ramsay. Don’t test the burners or preheat the oven to “see how fast it warms up”—save that for the home inspection. Sellers won’t appreciate coming home to find the oven preheating to 450° or the fridge doors wide open.

3. Personal belongings are off-limits

Curiosity is natural, but resist the urge to peek inside a medicine cabinet, sift through photo albums, or examine personal items. If it’s not included in the sale or fixed to the property, it’s none of your concern. Buyers are there to view the home, not to investigate the homeowners’ lives.

4. Leave it as you found it

If you open a cabinet, close it. Turned on the basement lights? Turn them off before leaving. Respect the home by leaving it exactly as you found it. Sellers won’t appreciate returning to find every door and drawer in the house left open.

5. The bathroom dilemma

Using the bathroom during a viewing is tricky territory. If it can wait, let it wait. However, if it’s an emergency, proceed with caution: be quick, clean, and respectful. Leave no trace. And if a plumbing mishap occurs (heaven forbid), take responsibility—call the selling agent immediately and explain the situation. Awkward? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.

Respect the seller’s home. Keep your hands to yourself. Avoid napping on the couch or treating the home as your own. Selling a property is stressful enough—don’t add to the anxiety by acting unprofessionally.

Agent tip: Help minimize risk

Bathroom off-limits? Communicate early: If the bathrooms are unavailable (e.g., water is shut off or the seller prefers they not be used), the listing agent should inform the buyer’s agent when confirming the showing. This allows the buyer’s agent to notify clients in advance and plan a rest stop before arriving at the property.

Supervise kids during showings: If buyers are bringing kids or teens, remind them that this is not the time for trampoline tryouts, toy exploration, or experimenting with workout equipment. Ask buyers to keep their children with the group and supervise them at all times to ensure a safe and respectful visit.

As REALTORS^®, you set the tone for the entire process. Professionalism shines through in the small details, and conducting respectful showings is an excellent way to demonstrate it.

Residential Basics

Looking to deepen your understanding of showings and the buyer-seller transaction process? Check out CREB^®’s Residential Basics course! This free course is available exclusively to members and can be taken as many times as you like.

Here’s how you can access it:

• On-demand: Take the course online anytime through the online learning portal.
• Live sessions: Starting in January, live sessions will be offered monthly, alternating between in-person and online formats. You can register for these on the Upcoming Courses page on CREB^®Link.