Protecting Trust: Key Rules for Showings

Everyday, sellers place their trust in REALTORS® to handle one of their most valuable assets: their home. That trust comes with both responsibility and privilege, especially when it comes to showing properties and accessing them through MetroTex MLS Key Services. Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in Showing & Key complaints, which serves as a good reminder of how important it is to handle each showing with professionalism and care.

As a licensed professional verified by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), you hold a level of access that your clients and the general public do not. With that privilege comes the opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and care in every showing.

To help you feel confident and reduce any risk of misunderstandings, let’s take a moment to review the NTREIS MLS Rules & Regulations and the MetroTex Key Services, Inc. Rules & Regulations. These guidelines are designed to support you and protect both your clients and their property.

The NTREIS MLS RULES & REGULATIONS Sections 8.02 and 8.04 apply to Showing a property.

Section 8.02 “Appointments for showing Listed Property shall be conducted exclusively through the Listing Participant. The Listing Participant may authorize the Other Participant to show the Listed Property as indicated in the showing instructions or showing features field. If after reasonable effort, the Other Participant is unable to contact the Listing Participant or his/her representative, then in that event, the Other Participant may make direct contact with the owner only for the purpose of showing Listed Property.”

Section 8.04 “Access, entrance to, and/or activities of Participants/Subscribers while inside Listed Property is restricted and limited to brokerage activities for authorized real estate licensees pursuant to the provisions of the applicable statutes, rules and regulations of the applicable state governmental agency and such other activities expressly authorized by the owner of the Listed Property.

MetroTex Key Services Inc. Rules & Regulations Paragraph 6 apply to showing/key use.

Paragraph 6 (in part). “Conditions of Key Use. An Associate may not use his or her Key to access a KeyBox without first calling the listing office (or, if applicable, calling the appropriate showing system utilized by the listing office) to ascertain the availability of the property, make an appointment with the owner, and obtain and follow any other instructions from the listing office or appropriate showing system. If the property is vacant and the listing Associate has indicated in the MLS that the property is vacant and has authorized “GO” in the MLS, then the Associate may proceed to the property without an appointment and use the Key to obtain entrance through the KeyBox. …”

By keeping the rules in mind, you not only protect yourself but also strengthen the trust placed in our profession. To put these guidelines into practice, here are a few simple reminders that can help you stay safe, courteous, and professional during every showing:

Be Safe.

• The safety of people & property should always be on your mind. Knock before opening the door. Announce who you are. Someone attempting to open a door to gain access to a property when it’s not expected could turn into an extremely bad situation very quickly.

• Never allow a buyer to enter a property unaccompanied or to explore a property without supervision. Never provide codes or access to clients. You should always accompany your client to a property showing. Be sure the showing info/Code(s) are not shown on any documentation provided to your client.

• Have a safety plan for showings.  NAR has great resources on REALTOR® safety https://www.nar.realtor/safety

Be courteous.

• Call or text the listing agent if anything changes for your confirmed showing appointment or if there is something that doesn’t seem “right” when you arrive for your showing appointment.

• Do not show a property without a confirmed appointment unless showing instructions state “Go & Show”.

• Again, keep the confirmed time for your showing appointment. If you’re going to be late orwill not be showing the property, remember to contact the listing agent to notify them or reschedule.

• Leave the property as you find it.  Lights off/on, gate open/closed, curtains open/closed, Close & lock all doors/windows that were opened during showings and secure the lockbox.

• Remember that you represent all REALTORS® in your behavior.

• Professionalism to clients, customers, and other REALTORS® COUNTS!