Buyer's Agent Guide

Licensed real estate brokers become subscribers of NWMLS by joining a Northwest MLS member firm (eXp Realty). NWMLS will assign you a LAG number and email you step-by-step instructions for gaining access to the NWMLS website and leasing a keybox key.

1. Complete New Subscriber Orientation.

2. Complete Matrix I: Essentials.

You must complete this course before you can access the Matrix database and search for listings. This class is also required for transferring brokers if they have been inactive with NWMLS for over one year.

3. Complete Listing Input.

New brokers must take the required Matrix Listing Input class in order to input listings into Matrix. This class is also required for transferring brokers if they have been inactive with NWMLS for over one year.

ShowingTime

What is ShowingTime?

ShowingTime is the company used by most agents to manage the scheduling of showings on listings.

Do all listing agents use the ShowingTime appointment scheduling service?

Most listing agents use ShowingTime, but some may not because there is a monthly fee for the listing to be enrolled in the service. It makes it much harder for agents to show the house and also for the listing agent who has to manage all of the showings themselves. If you come across a listing that does not use ShowingTime, you'll likely need to send a text to the listing agent with your name and license number to request the showing appointment.

Sometimes appointments are set up directly with the listing agent because the seller wants their agent present at all showings. You will see this more in high-end homes. Follow the listing agent's rules.

NWMLS & Matrix

ShowingTime

Supra Keybox

How to open Supra Keybox:

If the "Update" button at the bottom has a red X over it, press the button to get the software to update your eKey.
Tap the "Obtain Key" button.
Type in your 4-digit passcode that you selected during the set up process.
When it starts chirping, push up on the black part under the keybox to wake it up and see the red light start flashing
The app will show "Communicating". Sometimes your phone will ask you if you want to add this as a Bluetooth device. You'll need to say yes to get it to finish the process.
When your phone makes the jingle sound, you can press up on the black part under the keybox again to lift it and the key container will come down into your hand.
Ring the doorbell and announce yourself as you enter.
Set the black key container on the ground inside the door.
When you leave, lock all the doors then put the key back in the key container and slide it back up into the keybox. You'll see the green key stickers facing you when you slide it up into the box. Do not force it in backwards.

Supra Keybox

Showing Homes

When giving a tour to buyers in person, you won't need to describe things, you'll just follow the buyers around a little to hear their feedback and look around for any types of property condition items that might be questionable.

When giving a virtual tour to out of state buyers, you will describing what you are seeing. You can use services like Apple Facetime, Facebook Messenger Video Chat, WhatsApp, Google Duo Video Chat, etc. to have a video call with the buyers. Practice at your house with someone before you go to the listing. Make sure you know how to flip the camera from your face to the rear camera so you can watch what you are showing them.

Before the Showing

You must make appointments first. After you hit the Submit Requests button, the appointments status will be:

Go & Show - Green - usually used for vacant properties that don't require approval of the seller. Go ahead and show the home.
Requested - Yellow - a notification was sent to the seller and the listing agent requesting the appointment. Do not show the home.
Confirmed - Green - status will change to confirmed after the seller or listing agent approves the request. Go ahead and show the home.
Declined - RED - status will change to declined after the seller or listing agent denies the request. Do not show the home.
Never show a property unless you have a confirmed appointment!

During the Showing

Always follow the showing instructions exactly! If there are signs posted at the door for booties, gloves, etc. you must respect the requirements of the seller.
Ring the doorbell before entering and announce yourself so you don't startle anyone who might be in the house.
Report any issues with the house, i.e. a safety hazard, toilet leak, etc. to the listing agent just out of courtesy. Sometimes when no one is living in a home, they may not be aware of issues, especially seasonal ones like not having a heater on to keep the pipes from freezing.
Make sure you stay with your buyers at all times to ensure that they don't open any locked doors or windows without your knowledge which creates a security risk for the seller. Also, make sure that they do not touch the personal belongings of the seller or sit on furniture, etc.

After the Showing

When you leave the property, be sure to lock up all doors and following the showing instructions for lights, etc. Click the button on the ShowingTime App to complete the showing which will alert the seller that you are done and they can go home.
After you show homes, please do not ignore "feedback requests" that you will get via emails from either ShowingTime or Supra. Please share constructive feedback because it will get shared directly with the seller to help them with their sale.

General Showing Tips

Practice showings with a spouse or friend before you show real buyers.
Charge your phone before you leave. You'll need it for GPS and also to open doors and look up information.
Have either your printed out MLS sheets or MLS app on your phone to look up the showing instructions.
Make sure your Supra app is updated and you know your passcode.
Turn on all the lights in the home to allow the buyers to see the house in it's best lighting.
Schedule your tour based on one of two methods:
- Most efficient route based on the mapped areas to tour homes - this is good because it is the most efficient use of time and gas/mileage.
- Save the best for last - put what you know to be the worst home on the tour at the beginning and then get better and better with each home saving the best home for last so the buyer can walk away from that last home thinking "Wow, I'm ready to buy."
Ring the doorbell or knock loudly before entering and announce yourself. Even if the home is vacant, this is a great safety tip to make sure you don't surprise anyone in the house.
If other agents are in the home, it's proper etiquette to wait for your scheduled appointment time to enter. Do not enter early. If they are staying past their scheduled appointment time, you may politely ask if they are done because you have an appointment time now and your buyers are on a tight schedule. Be mindful of your time when showing and make sure your buyers are finishing their walk-through by the end of your appointment time slot.
Wear the right shoes... Don't wear heels! Also, don't wear thick tennis shoes. Wear flat dress shoes that allow you to walk safely in the grass or uneven surfaces. Also wearing flat shoes will allow you to feel any variations in the floor for possible signs of foundation movement that you can ask about. You can often feel these dips as you walk around, but if you wear thick tennis shoes or heels, you won't feel it.
Dress the part. If you want your clients to think you are a successful agent who is going to get it done for them, look the part! Dress professionally, wear a nice nametag and be prepared. Make sure your car is washed on the outside and not covered in dirt.
Most people do not take people around in their cars anymore. Most showings happen in a caravan style with the buyers driving in their own car. This allows you time to think between showings or return a missed call. It allows the buyers to discuss the house together while they are driving to the next showing.
Always print or screenshot the MLS listing before you show the home. Occasionally agents have been known to make changes to commission or other details during the time the home is under contract and it becomes a dispute. Protect yourself by saving a copy.

Showing Homes