It is important that REALTORS^® follow and properly document seller’s showing instructions to assist in a smooth showing process for buyers and sellers.

Real Estate Council Alberta (RECA) has seen an influx of complaints related to sellers feeling their instructions were not followed which resulted in disciplinary actions against licensees. In addition to the Real Estate Act and Rules, The REALTOR^® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice requires members to conduct themselves professionally and with integrity; honoring the instructions of the seller while visiting their property contributes to the REALTOR^®’s professional image.

In addition to this, the COVID-19 Appointment Safety Acknowledgement will be retired from ShowingTime on August 2, however, it is important to remember there are varying degrees of comfortability with COVID-19 and the seller’s instructions must be followed.

Reminders for listing agents

• Learn what the sellers expect when people are entering their homes for a showing (ex: leaving shoes outside, staying off the trampoline, not letting pets out, not touching door handles etc.).
• Document the seller’s instructions in writing and communicate the instructions to the buyer’s representative, also in writing.
• Develop a plan to tell showing agents about the instructions such as signs in the home, comments in the private remarks on the MLS^® Listing, and instructions with showing confirmations.
• Best practice tip: send the instructions to the showing agent in writing and get the showing agent to acknowledge they received them.

Reminders for buyer’s agents

• Review both the MLS^® Listing and showing confirmation to see if any showing instructions have been attached to the property.
• Ask if there are any sellers showing instructions if none are apparent.
• Make notes on which properties have which showing instructions. For any instructions that potentially impact your buyers, prepare them ahead of time by sending them a message in writing to help bring awareness to the expectations when entering the property.
• Buyer’s representatives must not allow anyone to have access to the property, without the approval of the seller. They also must ensure the buyers follow all conditions set out by the seller.
• Best practice tip: Confirm with the listing agent, in writing, if they send you showing instructions.

Don’t forget, if there is a situation where something has happened that doesn’t align with the seller’s showing instructions, such as the cat escaping, let the listing agent know right away.

If you have any additional questions, please email CREB^® Member Practice at crebmp@creb.ca.