To have found it really embarrassing showing prospective buyers round our house.

[mameulah]

Or is it just me?

Any tips?

I found the whole thing really cringe worthy.

tia

Ask the agent to do it

I never minded it really - keeping the house pristine for viewers was PITA at times

Or just do an open house and get the viewings out of the way in one hit

Can you get the estate agent to do the veiwings instead? My parents veiwed a bungalow with the estate agent, the owner went and hid in the shed - most odd

Hiding in the shed?!! If we had a shed I reckon I would do that.

The bit that is most rubbish is wondering whether they like it or not.

And knowing what to say and not to say!

I've never had to do it but I would HATE it! I don't like people being in my house at the best of times, god knows why!

You will get used to it after a while. Good luck with selling.

I'm with your OP, I got my mum and husband to take turns showing buyers round as it just stressed me out so much. I was worried about DH not showing the house very positively but it was the couple he showed round who bought it in the end. The whole thing was just so awkward for me, even looking round houses I prefer it to be by the agent or someone who doesn't live there.

Agent every time.

I hate being shown round by the owner; they're way too invested and want me to care about stuff their kids did in the garden.

Please don't hide in the shed

I once viewed a house where they were all sat in the shed on garden chairs, doing nothing, didn't even say hello when we walked in.

Was proper fucking odd

I agree, with all of you! Not to mention that I am heavily pregnant with a busy toddler. Far too many hormones kicking about to make this an easy experience. And keeping the house spotless is exhausting!

Buyers more likely to make an offer / give feedback to an agent than the owner as they won't want to offend you.

Get your EA to do viewings, that's what you pay for.

I'm viewing houses currently and from my POV I'd say let the agent take people round. It's so awkward with the owner there.

We've viewed quite a few and only one owner has been very matter of fact and showed us round while telling us about the house, what was included and what work they'd done to improve it.
The rest tell us about how they live in the house, their family and their divorce which is why they're selling .

The one the agent met us at, felt much easier to view with a critical eye, ask questions like why is it so bloody overpriced because funnily it's easy enough know what the identical neighbours sold for when you look online rather than giving inane compliments because you can't tell they are desperate for you to love it

We had an open day on our place and took ourselves and the cat off the premises and did some other viewings. Lessonscat didn't appreciate being in her box for two hours but was a much better solution than leaving her in situ.

We viewed one place with an owner which was really helpful, she was lovely and it felt a lot less pressured. But she was also very up front that the land behind the back garden was about to be redeveloped with four storey flats which would have ruined the garden so we turned it down on that basis.

But more often than not as a buyer I'd prefer to be shown round by the agent.

Aren't you using an agent? Make them earn their fee!

I was shown round and lied to about my flat by the owner. He showed me the rooms then sat in the living room and told me to have a good old nosy and feel free to open cupboards. It felt a bit awkward from my point of view because I couldn't just be honest with my mum who came with me - but it was good that he showed me round first and then left me to it. Just remember, you'll most likely never see these people again, don't worry too much!

Estate agent every time.

We are looking at selling at some point and the thing that puts me off is the idea of having people walking around my house and having to show them around.

Mind you, we looked at a place ourselves recently and we were shown around by the owner. The only viewing time we could get was a time when we had to drag the toddler along too. The owner was quite friendly, telling us all about why he was selling...and then decided to tell us, whilst showing us around the main bedroom and perching on the pornesque bed that he and his partner were "working on making a baby every night at the moment". My heebies were definitely jeebied.

ha, I wish I could have agents showing me the houses! It seems like in some areas (e.g. East Midlands) they never do it, and refuse to when asked, saying 'it's usual here for vendors to show their houses', unless it's a rental. At least some agents earn their fee by running around - these just talk on the phone. I don't get it, why is it area specific?

I have to admit though, you can find out much more from a vendor who is forthcoming than an agent who wouldn't know the answers.

But I ALWAYS feel like I have to compliment the house a lot to the vendor (even if I'm not especially impressed), then they kind of expect offers. Whereas with agents I'm honest.

one vendor also lied to me about another party that were 'very interested' - funny because the agent didn't mention them at all when I was arranging a leisurely second viewing.

I was furious when our agent called saying that a couple was coming to view the house at short notice. By the time I made sure the bathroom was tidy and I'd flicked the Hoover around they had arrived. I was terribly embarrassed but they were fab. They said it was nice to see one of the many houses they'd viewed in action as a family home. They said they'd also viewed the near identical house two doors away (one that had been left to fall into decay and then renovated) and they weren't sure that their stuff would fit. It was nice to know that if they couldn't buy ours that their new house would soon look homely. I was that convinced that they wouldn't be putting an offer in I told them stuff the agents would never divulge. (Recent car thefts, neighbourly spats, the congregation of teen weed smokers the low garden walls attracted...) I made them a brew, gave them cake and apologised for boring them. I thought we'd be done by the time dh came home with the kids but we weren't. Ds was telling them that he was sad to be leaving his man city themed bedroom and the man shook his hand and said he was even more convinced about how great the house was. :o
They put an offer in and we accepted. On the day we exchanged they told us they were expecting a baby. I think our chaotic household gave them a glimpse of the future and they liked it.

Oh I really want the owners to show me round,I want to ask them about the neighbours, the parking, the nearest chippy etc.

Igggi they asked us which takeaway we recommended. :o

Igggi, take it with a pinch of salt, not all vendors are as lovely as the poster above me

I enjoyed showing people round.

Here are some tips:

1. Most agents give a buyer the particulars on a piece of paper. It helps when you've seen loads to have that bit of paper to remind you which was which. We printed out (in colour) the particulars from the web agent's website and gave them to viewers as they arrived.

1. When you start showing them round, tell them that you're going to show them around once, then you'll let them have a look around without you there (as some buyers are put off by the owner being there, they feel they can't look properly).

1. Offer them a cup of tea. (Most of ours declined but a couple did accept and stayed longer and asked lots of questions). Have someone else (DP?) make it for them, or make it after you've shown them and while they're going round on their own.

1. Think of something genuinely useful to say about each room, perhaps about how you use it, or pointing out things that might not be obvious. So you might want to say that although you're currently using this room as a bedroom, you used to use it as a study, and it's especially nice and quiet on this side of the house. Or tell them you love the view from the window, to make sure they've seen it. Or you might say that in the summer you like to eat in the garden sometimes and point out how it's not overlooked in the bit you sit in. Or whatever.

1. When you're showing them round, let them go into rooms first. Don't go into a room with them - let them go first then hover by the door, unless the room is massive. If you go in too, it'll make the room feel smaller.

1. Once you've shown them around, let them have another look on their own. Let them know where you'll be and that you're happy to answer any questions they have.

1. Give them tea if they wanted it.

Would it maybe help you prepare if you listed the rooms here and told us what you planned to say about each to the viewers?

We could let you know if it was info we'd find useful as buyers.

Thank you everyone, that is really helpful. Especially your top tips Wiggly!

Today we had two more viewers, it is getting easier and I am finding myself much more calm.

How many viewers is 'normal' over a weekend when your house has just gone on the market? Any ideas anyone?