Why It's Important
When showing up to a job interview, it's best to arrive in timely fashion with your most presentable attire and an attitude that says, "I'm going to make my workplace a beneficial and successful environment." Real Estate agents and homeowners feel much the same way about their clients as employers do for their interviewees, meaning there are general guidelines to follow when addressing the agent or the homeowner when touring a home.

What to Do
Let's go over some of the things you should do when you're touring a home, whether you're seeking to rent or buy.

  1. Arrive early. As the adage goes, "Five minutes early is 10 minutes late." By showing up 15 minutes sooner than planned, you've demonstrated initiative and interest in their offering. Being as the agent may have also arrived early, you've created a positive link with them that indicates you're interested and respectful.
  2. Take your shoes off when you enter. Remember that the house doesn't belong to you, so you should treat this space with the same respect that you would with anyone else's property. This is especially important if the homeowner is personally in the property with you and looking to sell the home, as they may have an emotional attachment to it.
  3. Show interest. Carefully observe the home inside and out for benefits and drawbacks. Ask questions and feel free to inspect accessible part of the home for features and potential issues, including closets and cabinets. Although it is acceptable to open closets it is not suggested that you open medicine cabinets or dresser drawers.  Essentially you have to check on certain spaces like closets because it is a feature of the home, but other more personal areas like a dresser are a no no.    

What Not to Do
There are more a few ways to leave a bad taste in the representative's mouth, so we'll stick to the less commonly known don'ts of house-hunting.

  1. Don't use the bathroom. If you're looking to flush the toilet or run the sink to test their functionality, this is fine. However, remember that the place was cleaned and made presentable for many clients, not just you. Avoid actually using the facilities except in emergencies.
  2. Don't bring your pets or kids. It's conceivable that bringing your pride and joy would leave a positive impression, but also remember that young ones can leave messes and damage. At the very least, save that for after you've claimed your stake — not while you're making an impression.
  3. Negotiation on the spot is a bad move. This is something you'd normally do in an office after the showing. You also shouldn't nitpick about the problems that were noticed until after the tour has concluded, as this could make you come off as needlessly difficult, which is a deterrent to your odds of securing the home.