Chaperoned Showings: “Listing Agent Must Be Present For All Showings”
It certainly CAN be a negative when a “For Sale” home — usually upper bracket — has restrictive showing instructions (other variants: lengthy advance notice; financially pre-qualifying Buyers; no previews; and/or no public open houses — ever).
It’s also usually a “no-no” for a listing agent (representing a home seller) to directly communicate with a represented Buyer rather than their agent.
But, both rules have exceptions.
Not Relying on the Marketing Materials
Like when a home is loaded with easy-to-miss architectural features and amenities, and/or the listing agent is especially knowledgeable about the immediate area.
Then, sometimes the smartest thing the Buyer’s agent can do is . . . get out of the way (at least for a little bit).
That is, let the listing agent conduct the showing, pointing out what makes the home so special.
According to my Realtor grapevine, just such a strategy was the key to selling a $2.5 million Edina home recently.
P.S.: A good listing agent won’t overstep. When the showing’s over, they’ll quickly retreat and hand the Buyer back to their agent, who’s likely waiting in the wings.
See also, “Proper (& Improper) Purposes of Realtor Previews.”