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One of the most exciting parts of buying a home is viewing homes. You get to catch a glimpse of how other people live, you have the luxury of sampling a variety of interiors to ensure you find the perfect one, and you experience excitement when you find “the one”.

But, while it seems fun to hop from one house to another, there are unwritten, yet ethically sound rules you need to follow. Buyers need to follow certain etiquette when looking at homes – that is, behaving in a way that is respectful when inside other people’s houses.

Here are several examples of home buyer etiquette to follow when you are looking at houses:

1. Be on time. When you schedule a showing time for a home, arrive on time. It’s important to take into consideration your Realtor’s schedule as well as that of the home seller. The sellers have to make arrangements to not be at the house when you’re there, and that sometimes includes arranging pet care as well. There also may be other potential buyers who have scheduled showing times, so you do not want to cause delays for them either.
2. Do not stay too long. It is not a gathering place where you can just stay for hours. Of course, you need to take your time to view all of the home’s rooms and features, but when you are done, exit the home and have your brainstorming session somewhere else.
3. Avoid bringing too many people. Sure you want support and insight from the people who are close to you, but it can be difficult to coordinate, especially if you are looking at smaller houses. Try to keep it to no more than four people if you have children or multiple people who will be using the home.
4. Ask to take photos. There are sellers who may not be comfortable with people taking photos of their houses, especially if there are photos already on their listing. If you really want to take a picture, ask permission first. If you sense it is questionable, don’t do it.
5. Don’t touch things. Yes, it’s fine to test stoves, light switches, doors, etc., but don’t touch the seller’s personal belongings. You wouldn’t want someone touching your things.
6. Work with only one agent. It is important that you choose one agent to work with and stick to it. Realtors put a lot of time and effort into helping you find the perfect home. If you allow them to commitment to you, it is important that you be loyal to them, so they get paid for their efforts.

Do not visit the house without permission. It is considered trespassing if you walk around the home’s exterior without prior permission. Driving by to view the location is fine, but call and set an appointment before stepping foot on the property.

Unique Properties

Tulsa Real Estate
Call us: 918-760-6959