FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything agents ask about showing coverage — clients, money, licensing, and how the marketplace works. If it's not answered here, the mechanics live on how it works and the numbers on pricing.

The basics

What is ShowingMarket?+

A marketplace where real estate agents post showings they can't make — buyer tours, open houses, rental tours, lockbox runs, photo visits, and inspection access — and license-verified local agents cover them for a fee the poster sets. The covering agent keeps 90% of the fee.

Is ShowingMarket live?+

Yes — ShowingMarket is live on the Seattle Eastside and expanding city by city. Requests are supported by a managed founding agent network, so coverage stays reliable as density grows.

Where does ShowingMarket work?+

ShowingMarket is live across the Seattle Eastside: Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Bothell, Woodinville, and Mercer Island. Outside the area, join the waitlist and we'll reach out as coverage reaches you.

What happens if no showing agent is available?+

We review every request and confirm a match as quickly as possible. If we can't match it, we'll let you know promptly so you can make other arrangements — we don't leave you guessing.

Clients & trust

Who owns the buyer relationship?+

You do. The requesting agent keeps the client. The showing agent only provides access, follows your instructions, and submits feedback — bound by a non-solicitation agreement accepted at every claim.

Are showing agents licensed and vetted?+

Yes. ShowingMarket is for licensed agents only; each verifies their license number and state, with MLS ID and lockbox/Supra key on file, during onboarding — checked before their first showing.

How do I know the showing actually happened?+

Check-in and check-out are GPS-validated at the property, presence is sampled during the visit, and the completion record (buyer status, notes, time on site) comes to you for approval before any payment is captured.

How do I choose who covers my showing?+

Agents express interest at your posted fee — or counter with their own price — and you review each one's profile, live reliability score, completions, and ratings before accepting exactly one. Nobody is auto-assigned.

Money

How much does a covered showing cost?+

You set the fee when you post — anywhere from $45 to $400 depending on timing, distance, and scope. There's no subscription and no monthly fee; you pay per completed showing only.

When is my card charged?+

Your card is authorized (a hold) when you post, and captured only after you approve the completed showing. Cancel while the request is still open and the hold is released — you pay nothing.

How much do showing agents make?+

The covering agent keeps 90% of the posted fee — $76.50 on an $85 showing, $198 on a $220 open house. The exact payout is visible on every request before you express interest.

When do showing agents get paid?+

When the requester approves the completed check-out, the 90% transfers to the agent's connected Stripe account — instant to an eligible debit card. A brand-new Stripe account's first-ever payout takes longer (roughly one to two weeks) while Stripe runs its standard new-account review.

What payment methods are accepted?+

Cards only for paying — credit, debit, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, held by Stripe. Payouts go to the bank or debit card the covering agent connects through Stripe.

Is there a subscription?+

No. Agents pay only per completed showing — no monthly membership, no lead fees, and joining is free on both sides.

Working as a covering agent

What do I need before my first showing?+

A verified Washington real estate license, your coverage areas set (cities or zip codes), and a connected Stripe payout account — that's where your 90% lands. All three take a few minutes during onboarding.

Can I set my own price?+

Yes. Take the posted fee in one tap, or counter-offer a different price — the requester picks among interested agents.

What is the safety timer?+

A timer that runs from GPS check-in until check-out. If you don't check out or extend it, the requesting agent and your emergency contact are alerted. In the mobile app, background location keeps it honest even with the screen off.

What is the reliability score?+

A number computed live from your real showing history — completions, on-time check-ins, and verified ratings from requesters. It's never seeded or invented, and requesters see it before accepting your offer.

Open houses & teams

How does the QR open house sign-in work?+

Attendees scan a QR code by the door and sign in on their own phone — name, contact, agent status, ratings, and comments. Entries stream to the host's live list, contact details stay with the host, and the listing side gets first names and feedback. It's free with every hosted open house.

Is there a printable open house sign-in sheet?+

Yes — a free printable template (PDF and print-ready page) with name, contact, agent-status, and consent columns. No email gate. Most hosts pair it with the QR sheet as a backup.

Can my brokerage or team use ShowingMarket privately?+

Yes. Organizations get their own branded tenant with a join code for the roster and a broadcast policy: requests can stay inside your walls, give your agents a timed first look, or open to the whole network. Organization setup is free — contact us on the agencies page.

Can I cancel a request?+

Yes, while it's still broadcasting (before you accept an agent) — the card hold is released in full. After you accept an agent, cancellation isn't self-serve yet; message the covering agent or contact support.

Still deciding? See it end to end.

The product tour shows real screens; coverage areas shows where it works today.