Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for Property [2 of 4]

In the last REcap, we shared the Pathways to Professionalism: Respect for Peers.  This week, we’d like to remind you about Respect for Property.  We will feature one each week, or you can review all now online.   These simple steps can help ensure that we are all helping to secure and safeguard the properties we are endeavoring to sell.  Here was a message we just received today about a property… “I just got a call telling me my vacant listing (on a lock box) had tons of lights left on… and the lockbox code was still in the dial.  The lazy agent didn’t even spin the dial.  Unacceptable. I am forced to remove the lock box and go about getting new locks, because some of us just cannot be professionals.”  Please be mindful we MUST TAKE CARE of our clients, our customers and the PROPERTIES we show! We all benefit from a little extra time and care given.

  1. Be responsible for all visitors to a listed property;
  2. Never allow buyers to enter or tour a property unaccompanied.
  3. Never reuse a lockbox code of hidden key without the approval of the listing broker
  4. When showing an occupied home, always ring the doorbell upon arrival and knock before entering any closed room once inside the home.
  5. When the seller or seller’s agent is absent, be sure to turn off lights, shut windows, and lock doors after a showing.
  6. NEVER share a lockbox code or location of a hidden key with any party, ESPECIALLY prospective buyers.
  7. Tell buyers not to smoke in listed property, or near open windows or doors. This includes garages.
  8. If the seller is home during a showing, ask permission before using the phone or bathroom.
  9. Use sidewalks; ensure there is safe and clear access to property;
  10. If weather is bad, take off shoes and boots inside property.
  11. When a property is vacant, check that heating and cooling controls are set correctly and check outside of the property for damage of any kind.
  12. Never post a for-sale or arrow sign on any property (including city/town property) without the express permission of the property owner.

(Related: Get expert help and counsel regarding your property using a Aventura company for rental management and other property issues)