I finally have my first viewing....

[OhBabyLilyMunster]

Granted we've only been on the market two weeks.... But its exciting!

Can i have your top tips for preparing for viewings?

Thanks all :)

[runningLou]

Also needing viewing tips!!
Agent has done a few viewings already but the one tomorrow morning's up to me - eek!
Any advice / things to say / not to say?
Do I try and farm DS (2) off to someone?!
Any good sales techniques?!

[TallulahBetty]

I'd recommend having kids out the way. Our toddler cried and clung to us, bit distracting when trying to get the sales pitch done

Prepare a good reason for why you're moving, i.e. don't admit it's too small or the schools are rubbish. "Moving closer to our parents" is a good one.

Finally, make work surfaces clear without beige completely bare. A few bits out are ok, but too much clutter suggests there's not enough storage.

Good luck both!

[TallulahBetty]

Being* not beige

[OhBabyLilyMunster]

Luckily mines saturday so dh can get the kids out and away for a few hours

[FlatCapAndAWhippet]

Smiley and friendly face.
Show them house first then garden.
Show the viewers around your home, allowing them to enter rooms before you. This will let them to see the room clearly and not over crowd it if it's a small area.
After you've shown them around, offer to let them have a wander on their own.
Fresh flowers.
Open windows.
Tidy up.
Make sure its clean, everywhere, clean oven too.
Make sure it smells nice.
Nicely made beds.
Plump cushions on sofas and chairs.
No dirty pots, all washing up done and put away.
No laundry cluttering the place up.
Actually nothing cluttering the place up.
Remove animals beds if there are any.
Remove children and animals if possible.
Outside make sure front door is nice and clean.
Lawn mowed.
Couple of pots outside front door.
Path / drive swept.
I also informed viewers of my circumstances (that I was able to move immediately if necessary) and tried to find out as much as possible about theirs too.

Can't think of anything else.....yet. :)

[wellcoveredsparerib]

Get your agent to do the viewing ; they are the experts and you are/will be paying them handsomely for their service.

[TallulahBetty]

I've found that very few agents like to do the viewings; most that we got quotes for, including the one we went with, said we had to do them except in extreme circumstances. We rarely saw agents when viewing houses either.

[specialsubject]

best advice is 'they aren't buying your mess'. So draining board clear, kitchen surfaces clear except for a few sensible items, pet food dishes and litter trays disappeared and things put away. Stuff everywhere says 'not enough storage', and 'this house is too small'.

oh, and make sure all DIY jobs are finished and the place is maintained. That's actually much more important.

[OhBabyLilyMunster]

Our agent prefers to do viewings! And for the cash they can bloody well do it!

[lighthousesea]

Actually I disagree about estate agents. The best person to sell your house is you! The agents won't talk about how nice the neighbours are, how lovely and light your bedroom is etc etc.

[runningLou]

Well fingers crossed the viewer this morning liked my viewing (so hard to tell!!) as she would be the perfect buyer ...
Fingers firmly crossed!!

[FlatCapAndAWhippet]

fingers crossed :)