Staff gets calls frequently from listing agents who allege that a showing agent left a door unlocked, left lights on and, in one case, the disposal was on when the seller arrived home from work.
Although all those things are highly unprofessional behavior, they are not violations of MLS rules or the Code of Ethics where discipline can be levied.
Professionals will create an opportunity for themselves to ensure a homeowner's property is secure when they leave it. Even when distracted a professional will remove himself from the distraction and make an effort to leave the property secure and in the same manner it was found. Leaving doors unlocked and lights on are part of what gives REALTORS® a bad reputation. Sellers shout that stuff to the rooftops assuming that all REALTORS® are the same and that NONE of them respect their homes or property.
Even is something terrible is happening as you leave a property causing you to flee quickly, have the courtesy to contact the listing agent immediately to describe what happened that caused you not to be able to secure the property. A seller coming home finding his front door unlocked, or sometimes standing wide open and sometimes with keys in the doorknob does dramatic harm to the reputations of all REALTORS®.
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