We have permission from the property owner to enter their property and do our work with the understanding that we will be considerate.
The following guidelines are expected to be followed by all parties concerned.
(This information was provided as a directive from Bev Rude at the Alaska multiple Listing service. She referenced the NAR’s Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.)
Guidelines for Home Inspection Etiquette
Realtor, home inspector, or client – these are good practices for everyone:
- Schedule appointments and showings as far in advance as possible
- Call if you are delayed or must cancel an appointment or showing
- If a prospective buyer decides not to view an occupied home, promptly explain the situation to the listing broker or the occupant
- When entering a property, ensure that unexpected situations, such as pets, are handled appropriately
- Leave your business card if not prohibited by local rules
- Never criticize property in the presence of the occupant
- Inform occupants that you are leaving after showings
- When showing an occupied home, always ring the doorbell or knock and announce yourself loudly before entering
- Knock and announce yourself loudly before entering any closed room
- If occupants are home during showings, ask their permission before using the telephone or bathroom
- Be responsible for everyone you allow to enter listed property
- Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied
- Enter property only with permission even if you have a lockbox key or combination
- When showing property, keep all members of the group together
- When the occupant is absent, leave the property as you found it … including lights, heating, cooling and drapes
- 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
- Use sidewalks; if weather is bad, take off shoes and boots inside property
- Respect sellers’ instructions about photographing or videoing interiors or exteriors
- Carefully replace keys in the lockbox after showings