Showing viewers round

[JellyBelly78]

Agents not available to conduct a viewing on Sunday. Just wondering if given the situation with Covid and trying to keep a safe distance etc it would be better to ask if they would like to be shown around or if they’d prefer to look themselves.

Was thinking I could work in the office and and let them know I’d be happy to answer any questions they may have.
Would you feel awkward and prefer to be shown round? I’m possibly overthinking it

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

I far prefer to look round on my own!

[LST]

I'd prefer to look on my own. I feel its so awkward for everyone when the owner is hovering. Maybe its just me.

[FloorLamp]

Take them around and show the rooms, have a chat etc, gives you an idea of their initial reactions and thoughts etc then let them have a look round themselves. At least that's how it's done up here from what I've experienced.

[ALLIS0N]

Hasn’t your agency given you the rules for house viewings ATM?

[1starwars2]

Definitely on their own and you wait in the garden for them. Leave all internal doors open and light switches on.

[mumsy27]

floorLamp is spot on. at the end asked if they have any questions.
viewed 20 couples++ in one day(open day), used same system as described here.

[JoJoSM2]

Is the house very standard or is there anything you’d like to show them? I’d either let them have a look or give them a quick tour followed by them looking on their own if still interested.

[juneisbustingout]

I've sold four homes after doing the viewings myself, one very recently in January.
I never leave people to walk around alone on the first viewing although always do on the second as I then know they're serious. However with the last buyers I knew they loved the house immediately and I got a very good vibe from them. So after I'd shown them round and explained the quirky bits about the house, talked about the vicinity and neighbours I did ask if they wanted another look around on their own. They said it wasn't necessary and made an offer the next day. Some months later ( after lock down) they came back for a couple of hours to measure up etc and I just let them wander where they wanted.
I think it's always wise to remember that these are strangers in your home and behave accordingly

[ALLIS0N]

January was before Covid - there’s rules for for house viewings, it’s a across the whole industry.

Everyone needs to wear masks and observe social distancing.
Viewings are a max of 15 mins.
Viewers need to be alone or with one other person from the same household.
If you have a large family at home, some of them need to go out so you are not breaking the rule of 6.
Leave doors open so they don’t need to touch anything.
Leave windows open so the house is well ventilated
Clean surfaces like door handle after each one has left.

If you have a large hallway you can stand it in and wait for them, preferably with the front door open.
If your hallway is too small to SD then I’d stand outside.

[ALLIS0N]

www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak#:~:text=Agents%20should%20strongly%20encourage%20clients,should%20be%20conducted%20safely.

I forget to say you need to provide hand gel at the entrance and ask people to use it.

[juneisbustingout]

You're correct of course.
I'd completely forgot my viewings were pre covid

[JellyBelly78]

Thanks for your replies, agents said to keep windows and doors open, wear masks and maintain social distancing and clean handles etc after.

I was just after opinions as thought it would be pretty awkward trying to keep a distance while showing round so nice to know some would prefer to look themselves.

Won’t have anything valuable upstairs and have a good view of all downstairs from the office.

[Bol87]

We used an online agent & so conducted all our viewings. We just proceed as if we were an agent. I showed them up to the floor and stood back in each room & then left them to make their own way back down. I opened windows (although if it’s a cold day do NOT leave them open as it makes your house seem cold & uninviting) .. I asked viewers to wear masks & use alcohol gel before they came in. It was honestly fine, I let them go up the stairs & then I followed. I stood away from them in each room & was washed all my handles etc after they left. Each viewing was no more than 10 mins.

I much prefer doing my own viewings as I know what bits of my house to sell up & I chatted about the neighbours & local area & why we were moving & how happy we’ve been in our house (we are relocating)..

[Bol87]

Ps. My OH took the kids out, just easier to keep the house tidy 🙈

[Enwi]

I definitely prefer to look around on my own. A few properties we’ve looked around the owner has followed us and it’s been really uncomfortable, and meant I couldn’t really point things out to my DP that I wanted to. I also felt like I gave the sellers false hope as I could only say positive things about the property

[ALLIS0N]

We’ve Viewed about about 20 flats this summer and all the agents stood outside or in the hall. Most of The owners did this too although some moved into another room as the hall was too small.

No one followed us around and talked to us about the house or the area - that would have concerned me as it’s hard to Have three people 2 m apart all The time in one room. Unless you are viewing a mansion instead of small flats like me I guess .

[TheBeesKnee]

I don't know if I would be comfortable with people walking around my house on their own - I know the chances are slim, but what if they pinched something?

[FAQs]

I’ve been viewing the last couple of weeks and the best one was the owners who told me around the first time starting at the bottom, have me the history of the house and a bit about the area and the neighbours, pointed out a few things in each room which was useful and when we got the the last bedroom he said I’ll leave you to it to walk back round and down and I’ll be in the garden for any questions. Best of both and was by far the easiest and most informal viewing.

One left me on my own and practically hid which was a bit uncomfortable as we felt as though we were not welcome.

[FAQs]

*took

[FAQs]

Excuse my grammar and spelling I’ve got a migraine!

[YellowNotRed]

I viewed around a dozen houses recently, shown by the vendors. It was very bloody annoying, they ALL rabbited on and insisted on following right behind and giving a running commentary eg 'this is the bathroom' (no, really?!)

Please if you let viewers in just let them take themselves around the house!