Can a listing agent continue to show homes even after it’s under contract, approved, and a closing date is set?

A listing agent may be able to continue to show homes to prospective buyers under contract, depending on the listing agreement that the listing agent has with the person selling the house. Until the buyer actually owns the home and ownership has transferred to him, the buyer doesn’t have any legal right to control what is or is not done with the property. Thus, if the current owners and sellers want the agent to keep showing the property in case things fall through, this is legally permissible. What the seller and agent cannot do, however, is accept another offer on the property.

Understanding When Listing Agents Show Homes

Often, even when a deal seems like it is going to go through, things can fall apart at the last minute. There may be a surprise inspection result, the financing may not come through, or the buyer may not be able to come up with the down payment on the transaction. As such, it is common for a real estate agent to keep showing a house even after an offer is made.

Once an offer has been made and accepted and a closing date is set, it is pretty late for an agent to be showing a home. At that point, it is usually pretty certain that any deal will go through. However, unless the contract says otherwise, the real estate agent has no legal obligation to stop showing the property.

As long as the buyer has an accepted offer and a contract to buy, the buyer has little to worry about. Even if the seller gets a better offer, it is too late for him to void the contract he has with the buyer and take that offer, since the contract is legally binding. So, relisting a house under contract is almost impossible, however, when such a situation arises it is always best to consult an attorney for legal advice because each situation is different and even the slightest change can revise the attorney’s advice. In most cases, the seller may re-list the property if it is stated that the buyer does not intend to complete the transaction. So if the house under contract is still showing, this should be confirmed in writing.

If you have concerns about your legal rights during the property buying or selling process, consult with a lawyer for guidance and advice.