Here are some unwritten rules of house-buying etiquette :
Get pre-approved for a home loan
Getting pre-approved and knowing exactly how much house you can afford before shopping for a home is key to winning over sellers. It is simply misleading to look at a home you don’t know you qualify for. Remember that the seller and agent took time to prepare for the showing. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if someone was looking at your home and they had no idea if they qualified for a mortgage, let alone price range of your home? If you haven’t been pre-approved, let the agent and seller know upfront.
Be punctual
If you have an appointment with your realtor, respect his or her time. If you’re running late, call, but don’t make a habit of last-minute schedule changes. Agents have plenty of other clients they could be working with. Also, if they’ve asked a seller to leave the house for your showing, your tardiness makes both you and your agent look bad.
Remove your shoes
Whatever “shoe rules” you have in your home are null and void elsewhere – so when in doubt, ask if you should remove your shoes upon entering anyone’s home. You may be asked to remove your shoes or even wear surgical booties. Don’t be self-conscious! Just give it up and follow the rules of the home.
Don’t bring an entourage
This may be okay in Hollywood, but try to minimize the group field trip effect. You may want to save that for once you’ve narrowed down your choices to your top two or three properties. Sometimes, too many opinions can be confusing and overwhelming, and add unnecessary time to the property tour. The same thing goes for little ones. Ideally, you don’t bring your children with you when going to view a house. If that isn’t possible, don’t let them wander where they want. There are always potential safety issues, and it’s just rude.
Ask permission before taking photos
Want to take a few pictures or shoot some video to help you remember all of those small details? Ask first. There might be concerns about privacy that you’re not aware of.
Don’t linger too long
Just how long is long enough to truly take in a home? While there is no formal rule, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes is typical for a first showing. Taking a bit longer can be fine, but remember that you can always go back for a second look.
Avoid excessive multiple visits
One, two or even three visits is typically acceptable prior to making an offer. If you must return more than that, make sure this is a home you are seriously considering. All those visits are not only an inconvenience, but they could also make a seller extremely anxious, especially if the buyer comes to the house five times and is never heard from again. Remember, you will have inspections and access to the home again, so don’t waste a seller’s time with too many visits.
