BIC TIP #1242: Do Not Be Destructive
Buyer agents, when that feedback request pops up after a showing, by all means fill it out. Just be careful what you type. Stephen Long reminds brokers that showing feedback may go straight to the seller, unfiltered, and that the wrong comment can create a fair housing problem for everyone involved.
Assume the Seller Will Read Every Word
Many agents treat showing feedback like a private note to the listing agent. In many cases, it is not. Feedback systems often pass comments directly to the seller, exactly as written.
That means sarcasm, harsh critiques of the seller’s decorating, or offhand remarks about the neighborhood can land in front of the very person you may be negotiating with next week. Destructive feedback does not help the seller, and it certainly does not help your buyer.
The Innocent Comment That Is Not So Innocent
Here is where it gets tricky. Stephen offers an example that sounds harmless: My family really loved this house. The kids thought the backyard was great. They are really attracted to the school district.
Comments like that reveal information about the buyer, such as familial status, that has nothing to do with the property. If that buyer later makes an offer, the seller could be swayed to choose, or reject, that offer based on information they never should have had. That is exactly the kind of situation fair housing laws are meant to prevent.
Focus on the Property, Not the Buyer
The fix is simple. Keep your feedback about the house: the condition, the layout, the price relative to the market, the features that impressed or disappointed. Leave the buyer’s personal details out of it entirely.
Good feedback sounds like this: the kitchen showed well, the price seems high compared to recent sales, the roof looked dated. Useful, honest, and focused on what the seller can actually act on.
The Practical Takeaway
Always leave feedback when asked, but keep it constructive and property-focused. Write it as if the seller will read it, because they may. Never describe the buyer’s family, background, or personal characteristics. Focus on the property, not the buyer, and you will be in good shape.
This BIC Tip is general real estate education for licensees and consumers, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules and forms change, so verify current NCREC rules, MLS rules, and standard forms, and consult a North Carolina attorney or qualified professional about your specific situation. See Disclaimers & Disclosures.
Mortgage topics are discussed for general education only and are not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Stephen Long, NMLS #2795861, Keller Home Loans, a division of Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Inc., NMLS ID 1025894. Equal Housing Opportunity.
