Is there such a thing as proper etiquette when buying a home?

If you are in the market to purchase a home, there is some standard of behavior towards homesellers, other homebuyers, and Realtors that is just common sense, as in the "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you" general rule. Sometimes, a homebuyer is unaware that a gesture, comment or action could be considered inappropriate, and may impact their purchase in a negative way.  I am not singling anyone out, and absolutely mean no harm  to anyone by suggesting that buyers do any of these things on purpose, or with malicious intent.

1. Sellers and/or agents cannot always accommodate an immediate appointment. In many instances, at least three phone calls, and three conversations must take place before an appointment is confirmed. If just one person is unavailable, it will delay a prompt appointment. Al of that is assuming the agent can go on a moment's notice- which is not always the case.

2.If you are working with an agent who is on vacation, or away for the weekend, do not call the listing agent to show you their listing. For that matter, do not call any other agent other than the one that is covering for your agent while they are away for any reason. It's disrespectful to your agent, and the other agent involved. Ask your Realtor who to call in he/she will be away for any amount of time.

3. If your friend is  Realtor, and they are "helping you out", do not call another agent because you don't want to bother your friend. Again- disrespectful to your friend as well as the other agent.

4.Do not ever go to a listed home unescorted by your agent, or walk someone's property without express permission to do so.

5. If you have signed a contract for an agent to represent you in your purchase, do not mislead another agent by telling them you haven't. This one could actually cost you money, so it's very important.

6. Wipe your feet before you walk into a home, remove your shoes if the seller has requested it, and ask if you can use the bathroom in the home if you need to.

7. Do not take photos of the interior of the home unless you get permission to do so first.

8. If you are previewing homes for an intended purchase next year, let your agent know. They may not show you as many properties, but they may have clients that need to purchase right away, and they will take precedent over you. It's only fair- if you were in  a rush, you would expect to take precedent over someone who was not, and you would be well within your rights to feel that way.

9. If you are a licensed agent yourself, and do not have access to the MLS, tell the agent.(and you should know better than to withhold that)

10. If your agent asks you for financial information, such as a prequalification letter, a pre-approval letter, or proof of funds (for cash buyers), please don't be offended. It's standard practice-the seller will need that information even if you offer 10% ABOVE asking price.

11. Don't stalk the house, for heaven's sake

12. It is against the law for agents to show you houses without  represention, or an acknowledgement from you that you don't want it. At the very minimum, an agreement for the particular property for a short time frame should not be too cumbersome. You do want to make sure that you and your agent will get along, and guess what? The agent is interviewing you as a potential client just as much as you are interviewing that agent as a potential representative.

13. There is no need to bad-mouth a house in front of the seller.

14.If another buyer is viewing the home when you arrive on time  for your scheduled appointment, it is proper to wait outside and give that buyer their space while they are previewing the home.

15. If you are going to be late for a scheduled appointment, whether it's meeting your agent at their office, or meeting your agent at the property, call or text your Realtor. Your agent may have a number of appointments scheduled that are on a time crunch. Some sellers have very specific times that buyers can see their home, and cannot accommodate an appointment if the buyer is even ten minutes late. Give your agent the opportunity to call those sellers and let them know. One of those houses could be the one that you want to buy, and you've gotten the seller mad at you because you came late. All of this is not to mention that it is rude to your agent to be late without a call telling them so.

16. There are generally accepted viewing times. Eight AM on a Sunday morning is not one of them- neither is 9 PM on any evening. Use discretion- we understand that your schedule may be tight, and agents and sellers alike will most always do everything to accommodate you, just be reasonable.

17. Do not call the homeowner directly to discuss anything, period.

18. If you drive up to a house, and absolutely hate the neighborhood, the street or the house itself, don't refuse to go in. Just make an effort to go through the house very quickly and leave. That seller has anticipated the appointment and would be very hurt if you couldn't even walk in the door.  Who knows, you may be surprised. NOTE: If the seller is not home, and you don't want to go in for whatever reason, your agent can handle that, and no need to go in to a house that you know you don't want if no one knows. (Expect your agent to make a call to the Listing agent telling them just that.)

19. Don't overstay your welcome at the house, or on the property. There is a reasonable amount of time to look at a home, and for some people it's only five minutes, for most- it's about twenty minutes, and for a few more, it's upwards of 45 minutes. All are okay- you should go at our own pace- nothing wrong with that. Just stay focused on the house that you are seeing, and don't talk about the other homes on your agenda, or Johnny's baseball game, or dinner tomorrow night at your favorite restaurant  while you are there.

20. Keep any positive or negative comments to yourself until you are in the car and out of earshot to the homeowner.