I don't think it's a matter of being responsible, I think it's a matter of whether the sellers want to make sure they don't get sick after allowing a showing. If the sellers want to stay healthy, they should wipe down the counters OR not allow showings.

In NY, people should not be doing this at all. So, I would say the risk and violation is on the part of buyer.   They are putting their lives and those they know at risk.

I just wish people would stay at home.  It is the sensible and courteous thing to do.

Shoud the sellers allow showings if they have reason to believe the buyer may expose the place to the virus? Should the showing agent bear the cost? No real answer, just thoughts to ponder.

In NY, no one should be showing a house so....

It is easier for the seller/owner/listing agent  to install precautions. Total one time cost per house  ~$250.

However, buyer agents have historically proven so irresponsible they and they client can not be trusted to follow the rules of the house.

Therefore, it it the buyer and their agent who must be held responsible for disinfecting after showing.  Failure to do so is a $1,500 bill sent to broker and a promise of social shaming if not resolved.

Sellers should not be allowing showings during this pandemic unless the home is vacant.

I don't know if "responsible" is the word I'd use but in the end yes. The person responsible in my book is the person who infected the place. Second in line would be the buyers agent who brought the infected individual in. BUT we all know that neither of those things are going to happen Jeff Pearl so yes it all comes down to the owner who had no fault in the situation.

Jeff Pearl,

Working on vacant land, customers can drive by on their own. I currently have a vacant house under contract, I may not be allowed to be at closing. We did our showing over a month ago, we may not do a final walk.

Lysol, Pine-sol & alcohol should be found working in every home for sale in obvious ways constantly. The smell of cleanliness sells like curb appeal does

I should think that they would want to do so.

I'm not sure what "for the seller/owner/listing agent  to install precautions. Total one time cost per house  ~$250" that Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 means, so until do, I do not have any opinion.

No.  I'd put a disclaimer in the agent remarks and advise them to use PPEs.

We ALL need to be responsible and accountable for our actions. 

Nope-not in CA, no showings allowed, period. Not an issue when you can't allow people inside. Shelter in Place shuts down showings of any property for any reason. 

In my opinion, I would have gloves available for buyers, just like I'd have booties for foul weather, and wipe down anything they touched.

No I don't think so. I think it is smart but most sellers don't ever go back to the vacants I've found to do much at all.

We all have to take personal responsibility. That said, if I were the seller, I would sanitize everything whether or not the buyer or agent had done so. 

No showings including open houses or brokers open in California during this time of sheltering in place. Seller clients who do so on their own are doing so at their own risk. And it would be against the advice of me, their broker.

We are not allowed to have showings or open houses, effective Thursday 3/26 to April 16. 

Until then (tomorrow!), I think both buyers and sellers should BOTH be personally responsible - sellers disinfect befor AND after and buyers use gloves & disinfectant wipes to touch ANYthing in a home they tour. 

Lawyers will have a field day for years after this pandemic ends.  They will make the mold days seem like kid's play.

Lights on, all doors open for easy navigation in/out without touching anything. Seller is responsible for their own property but it can be discussed and worked out between seller/agent.

If there is fear of giving/getting, do virtual open houses or get Matterport Virtual Tour done.