New to the status? Start with how Northwest MLS First Look works.
Have a home in mind? Request a private First Look tour and Aditya will verify the current showing instructions.
Option one: allow showings early
Beginning September 4, 2026, allowing showings during First Look can give qualified buyers physical access before the Active launch. That can produce early feedback on price, condition, layout, and objections. It may also create an offer before the full launch.
What the launch plan should verify: Option one: allow showings early
This option works best when the home is ready enough to make a strong impression and the seller is prepared to respond. Early access without a response plan can create noise instead of useful evidence.
Option two: wait for Active
A seller may choose to delay showings until Active status. That protects preparation time and can concentrate buyer access around one launch date. Public marketing can build awareness while photography, repairs, staging, or seller logistics are completed.
What the launch plan should verify: Option two: wait for Active
The tradeoff is that awareness without access may not reveal how buyers react inside the home. A delayed-showing plan needs a clear booking system and a launch date buyers can rely on.
Choose based on the evidence you need
If the main uncertainty is price or buyer reaction, early showings may generate useful evidence. If the main constraint is property readiness or occupancy, waiting may protect the launch. Either way, define the decision date and the signal you are measuring.
What the launch plan should verify: Choose based on the evidence you need
For buyers, the question is direct: are showings allowed now, and if not, when does booking open? Put that instruction beside the price and status before you decide how urgently to act.
FAQ
Who decides whether First Look showings happen?
The seller decides whether showings are allowed during First Look or begin at Active status.
Does public marketing require a seller to allow showings?
No. Washington law states that marketing to the general public does not require an owner to allow access onto the property or into the residence.
When should First Look showing appointments open?
Open appointments when the home is ready and the seller can respond to the evidence they generate. Otherwise, publish a clear Active-date booking plan.
What should a showing strategy measure?
Track appointment volume, repeat visits, buyer objections, offer activity, and the timing needed to prepare for Active status.
Seller launch strategy
Build the launch plan before day one
Set the price checkpoints, showing strategy, feedback measures, and Active date with Aditya.
Request a First Look Launch Strategy Call