Be careful and avoid a potential ethics violation (Article 3, 3-9) by assuming that the MLS term “showing instructions” ONLY apply if you are showing a property to a potential client.  “Showing instructions” includes ACCESS to the property for any reason.  To say that you didn’t need to follow showing instructions because you were not “showing” the property is an improper interpretation.

The Code of Ethics, Article 3, SOP 3-9 reads as follows:  REALTORS® shall not provide ACCESS to listed property on terms OTHER THAN those established by the owner or listing broker.  That means the showing instructions must be followed to ACCESS the property for any reason.