Yes. You can show property for sale or lease without representation if all the following conditions are met:

1. You have not agreed to represent the prospect.
2. You are not acting as the prospect’s agent at the time of the showing.
3. You do not provide advice or opinions regarding the property or real estate transactions.
4. You do not perform any other act of real estate brokerage for the prospect.

If you don’t represent the seller, you must provide the IABS prior to showing. If you represent a seller, you can also show the property without representing the customer but must disclose who you represent either orally or in writing.

Note: Even though there is not a requirement to have this representation disclosure in writing, Texas REALTORS® recommends that you do have it in writing to comply with the NAR Code of Ethics and to protect the license holder by providing evidence that the disclosure requirement was satisfied. The Representation Disclosure Form (TXR 1417) can be used for this purpose.

Whether the Information About Brokerage Services form and a written agreement are required depends on whether the agent hosting the open house is a member of the listing brokerage.

If the agent hosting is with the listing brokerage, no IABS or written agreement is required but the agent must still disclose, orally or in writing, that they represent the seller. The Representation Disclosure Form (TXR 1417) may be used if the agent wants to disclose in writing.

If the agent hosting is not with the listing brokerage (such as a showing agent hosting for another brokerage), the agent must provide the IABS to prospective buyers and have them sign a written agreement. Agents may use a showing-only without representation agreement such as the Unrepresented Customer Showing Form (TXR 1508) or a representation agreement attendees sign at the entry of the property. A representation agreement such as TXR 1501 or 1507 can be as short as one day, can be for showing a single property, and can be for a fee or no fee, it’s up to the broker and the client.

If the agent hosting the open house is not with the listing brokerage and the prospective buyer is already represented but attending the open house without their agent present, the hosting agent must still provide the IABS and enter into a written showing-only without representation agreement such as the Unrepresented Customer Showing Form (TXR 1508) before the buyer can view the property.

It depends. If you are showing residential property for sale for a prospective buyer, you must have a written agreement in place before showing the property. The Unrepresented Customer Showing Form (TXR 1508) may be used to satisfy this requirement. If you are showing property for lease or any non-residential property for sale, you are not required to have an agreement in writing. Remember, however, that Article 9 of the NAR Code of Ethics states that whenever possible all agreements should be put in writing. Therefore, it is still recommended to have written agreements in place for all transaction types even though the law only requires written agreements for residential sales.

Yes. If all the conditions for showing without representation are satisfied—no advice or opinions, no agreement to act as the prospect’s agent, etc.—any property type may be shown without representation, including commercial property.

No. A written agreement is only required when showing residential property to a prospective buyer. Remember, however, that Article 9 of NAR Code of Ethics states that whenever possible all agreements should be put in writing. Therefore, it is still recommended to have written agreements in place for all transaction types even though the law only requires written agreements for residential sales.

If you are showing a property where you do not represent the seller or the buyer, you can use the Unrepresented Customer Showing Form (TXR 1508). Prior to showing the property, fill in the property address at the top of the form and complete the signature block at the bottom of the form. Make sure the customer initials and dates the form.

You are not required to enter into a written agreement with that unrepresented prospective buyer because you are showing the property on behalf of the seller. However, you are required to disclose at your first contact with that buyer that you represent the seller. Texas REALTORS® recommends that you also provide the Representation Disclosure Form (TXR 1417) to provide evidence to the buyer that you represent the seller only and to comply with Sections 1101.558(b) and 1101.562(b)(1), Texas Occupations Code.

If you decide to find other properties for this customer, you can no longer work with the customer without representation because locating property for sale is an additional real estate brokerage activity. Before providing additional services for the customer, you should enter into a written buyer representation agreement. Either a Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement – Long Form (TXR 1501) or a Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement – Short Form (TXR 1507) may be used for this purpose.

The Unrepresented Customer Showing Form TXR 1508 is not a representation agreement. It’s a form that complies with the statute (Section 1101.563, Texas Occupations Code) and can be used when you don’t represent the seller or buyer and are only performing the service of showing real property.

The Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement - Short Form (TXR 1507) is a representation agreement. It allows you to limit the scope of your representation as permitted by Texas law. When using this agreement to provide showing services, you must still meet your legal and ethical duties while performing the limited services you’ve agreed to provide. Section 1101.557 of the Texas Occupations Code requires you to, at minimum, answer the party’s questions and present any offer to or from the party.

No. Unrepresented showings are one option available to license holders and consumers, but a broker may decide that the broker’s business model is best suited to working with clients who have signed a representation agreement. In that case a Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement - Long Form (TXR 1501) or Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement – Short Form (TXR 1507) can be used. The short form is a simple, one-page form that can be used for one day, for showing a single property, and can be for a fee or no fee. It’s up to the broker and the client.

No. The form is intended for use with one property that the customer wants to see. If the customer has found multiple properties and asks you to show each of those properties, you can use a separate Unrepresented Customer Showing Form for each property.

If the customer asks you to look for more properties that meet the customer’s criteria, a representation agreement must be executed prior to showing any additional properties. Searching for properties is considered “other brokerage activity,” which disqualifies you from showing property without representation.

To avoid having to execute separate Unrepresented Customer Showing Forms for multiple properties, you may instead enter into the Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement-Short Form (TXR 1507) with the customer, list a market area that covers the properties that the customer wants to see, and select showing services only. You and the customer can agree to any term and amount of compensation for these showing services, for example a length of one day for a fee of $0.