What to Expect When
Seeing Denver Area Homes

June 27, 2024

So, it is time to go see homes with your REALTOR®, which is very exciting! There is definitely some etiquette involved as well as some simple things you can do to make the experience as focused and positive as possible. The good news is that if you work with a TK Homes agent, you will know what you need to know before you go. Let’s talk about this in more detail.

There are some things that may not be obvious when you go out to see homes, some unwritten rules. The first is that no one is supposed to use the bathroom in any of the homes you are seeing, which means plan to use the bathroom before seeing homes. Of course, in an emergency, you can stop at a gas station, etc. to use the restroom, but that could mean you are potentially late to your next showing. That leads me to the next point: be on time. Your REALTOR® has all showings set up and timed out for driving in-between each property. If you are late, the schedule could be thrown off, and you may not get to see all the homes you wanted to see. You may be thinking, if we miss a showing, can’t we just schedule it for the end of our tour? You could, but you may be well beyond the area where the showing was and would have to double back. Also, some showings require a 1-2 hour notice before any showing, and in some cases, some even require a 24 hour notice; therefore, it is best to stay on schedule if at all possible.

Regarding video and recording devices, always assume that a home has them. Don’t ever make negative comments, very positive comments (like you have to have this home no matter the price) or have strategy discussions while in the house. Remember, there may be Ring doorbells with cameras, so you don’t want to have discussions on the porch either. Your REALTOR® can talk with you about the homes you have seen after your showings, just not near the home or on the porch.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in most cases, unless the REALTOR® has asked, we do not have permission to take pictures of or video the home. If your friends/family members are interested in the home, they can view photos on numerous real estate websites. It is never acceptable to post any pictures of the house online or as part of a social media post without written permission from the sellers.

Next, let’s talk about how many homes you will see at one time.  From our experience, it would be our recommendation to see no more than 4-5 homes in a single day. The reason for this is that after seeing too many homes, the features of the homes tend to blend together, making it challenging to remember the specifics of each home. There are exceptions to these recommendations, such as if you have flown in for one day from out of town to look at homes.

Showings can take time-hours even. It is recommended that you bring snacks and waters/something to drink for the duration. Depending on how many homes you are seeing and how far apart they are, you may get tired, so it is nice to have some refreshments to keep yourself energized.

When it comes to seeing new builds, they are their own animal. Whether you schedule an appointment with the builder’s sales representative or just stop in, plan on spending a minimum of 30 minutes to a couple hours with the sales rep. During this appointment, you can learn about all of their different floor plans, lots and finish options. Just so you are aware, some new home builders will not allow you to use an agent to buy if you don’t bring them with you the first time or, at the very least, present your agent’s business card the first time. You do want to use an agent when buying a new build because you will want representation. You don’t want to use the builder’s agent to buy a home because that is like someone getting a divorce and using their spouse’s divorce attorney. If you use the builder’s agent, that is a conflict of interest.

Going out to see homes is an exciting part of the homebuying process. It can be very fun and productive. However, if not done correctly, it can be overwhelming and discouraging. At TK Homes, we will fill you in on what to expect, so that you can get the most out of your showings and enjoy the process as well. Ultimately, we’ll help you find the perfect house to call home! Contact a TK Homes agent today, and let’s get your homebuying journey started!

~ Written by TK Homes REALTOR® Mary Smith