How to Show a Home Like a Pro

🎯 Your Role as the Buyer's Agent During a Showing

Your job is more than opening a door — you’re guiding buyers through one of the biggest purchases of their life. You must:

• Point out features that match their priorities.

• Encourage questions and honest observations.

• Identify issues that may affect value, safety, or livability.

• Maintain professionalism while deferring inspections to qualified experts.
  
  

📅 Before the Showing: Preparation Checklist

1. Confirm the Day and Time

   • Communicate clearly and confirm availability with your client.

   • Ask for MLS numbers or addresses of the properties they’re interested in.
     
     

2. Review the Properties in Matrix
   
   

   • Read listing remarks carefully.

   • Watch for red flags (e.g., foreclosure, long possession, tenant issues).

   • If needed, call the client before booking to discuss timeline or condition concerns.
     
     

3. Book Showings in ShowingTime
   
   

   • Use “Smart Route” to optimize your tour.

   • Estimate how long each showing will take.

   • Print the Agent Tour and Buyer Tour once appointments are confirmed.
     
     

4. Be Informed
   
   

   • Print the Pre-Home Inspection Checklist (attached below).

   • Pull and review: title (if attached), tax info, community details, lot size, and any disclosures.

   • Know where you're going and what you’re walking into.
     
     

🚪 During the Showing: Step-by-Step Flow

1. Greet and Set the Tone

• Start with a warm welcome.

• Let them know you’re seeing the property together for the first time and will guide them through the process.
  
  

2. Walk and Observe

• Let the client walk ahead and explore — they’ll notice the “bling.”

• You guide them back to practical matters using prompts like:

  • “How do you feel about the size of this kitchen?”

  • “Let’s check out the basement setup too — mechanicals can make a difference.”
    
    

🛠️ Use Your Pre-Inspection Eyes — Key Areas to Point Out

✴ Use the [Comprehensive Pre-Home Inspection Checklist] (see Google Hub) to guide your eye.

🔧 Mechanical Room

• Age and cleanliness of furnace and hot water tank.

• Type of plumbing (poly-b, PEX, copper).

• Electrical panel: modern breakers? Labeled? Full?

• Humidifiers, air exchangers, and filtration systems.
  
  

🪟 Windows & Doors

• Check for smooth operation, drafts, and fogging between panes.

• Note approximate age and replacement indicators.
  
  

🏚️ Roof & Foundation (as visible from ground level)

• Look for shingle condition, staining, and roof line sagging.

• Check for large cracks or signs of heaving in the foundation walls.
  
  

🚿 Bathrooms & Kitchens

• Open cabinets and look under sinks.

• Run taps to test pressure.

• Check fans and windows for proper ventilation.
  
  

🛏️ Interior Spaces

• Uneven floors, sticky doors, cracked tiles or baseboards.

• Smoke detectors, CO detectors, and GFCI outlets.

• Condition of flooring, trim, and finishes.
  
  

💬 Tips for Dialogue During the Showing

• Ask open-ended questions:
  
  “Could you see yourself living here?”
  “How does this compare to others you’ve seen?”
  
  
  

• Share local insights:
  
  “This street has mostly long-term owners.”
  “There’s a new LRT stop planned 6 blocks away.”
  
  

• Don’t overstate — if you’re unsure, say:
  
  “We’d want a home inspector to confirm that, but I want to flag it early.”
  
  
  

📸 Optional: Take Photos or Video

• With permission, snap key features or issues so they can review later.

• This is especially helpful if clients are seeing multiple properties.
  
  

✅ End of Showing: Wrap Up & Next Steps

• Ask: “Is this something you’d like to explore further?”
  
  

• Discuss potential:

  • Second showing

  • Offer

  • Walk-away

• Let them know you'll follow up for feedback and discuss comparables if they’re interested.
  
  

📎 Attachments & Tools

• ✅ [Pre-Home Inspection Checklist – Google Hub]

• ✅ [Buyer Showing Prep Template – Coming Soon]

• ✅ [Area Research Guide – Attached to Buyer Services]