House selling advice please...........

[RMCW]

Hi.

I currently live in a 3 bed extended semi in derbyshire. We have completely gutted it since moving here 12 years ago. It has been extended, downstairs wc and loft room added, new boiler, new windows and have re plastered all the rooms too. 2 recpetion rooms, utility room, large kitchen diner, front and back gardens, drive and car port.

Have put it on the market. Really want to move house asap to another village where I grew up due to my son moving school and my mums health detiorating.

Anyway, we have had 2 viewings and another one today and I would really appreciate some advice on how to conduct it. I think the other viewings went ok and we are getting positive feedback but I really want to sell quickly. Any tips?

The price is ok (viewers have all said that) and apart from my childresn tat all over the 2nd reception room its clean and tidy.

Any advice??????????

[lalalonglegs]

Don't do them yourself, you are paying an estate agent (I assume), they are the professionals, get them to show buyers around.

[Ohforfoxsake]

I was present with the EA so they could talk to me and ask questions. I did tend to take over as the EAs weren't selling the place, just walking them round.

Just be friendly, and let the buyers have some time on their own. Treat them as guests and be welcoming.

[Fiddledee]

Owners showing me round really puts me off. First time round take you and the kids away (tidy away all the toys before you leave) let EA do it. Second time be around to answer any questions but don't follow them round the house let them look themselves. I've looked at over 20 houses and this is what I want as a buyer I hate owners trying to sell me the house.

Declutter declutter declutter so that prospective owners can see where they can put their stuff.

[RMCW]

hmmmm...trouble is we have done so much work to the house and (obviously) I know all the dates of work done/warranties etc

Just realised that my EA never offered to do the viewings

I dont mind doing them tbh - just wondered if there was anything a prospecive buyer would expect/hate?

I never do viewings with my kids here....just too difficult. I have decluttered as much as I can but, hey, we live here!!!

I tend to show them round, tell them the relevant facts about each room and then ask if they want to have a look round on their own.

[lalalonglegs]

I second Fiddledee, it's really inhibiting having the owner show me around. I would get photocopies of all the certificates of completion, warranties, architect's plans and leave them somewhere prominent for inspection and I would also ask the EA to send two of their viewer people around so that you can adequately brief them.

I view a lot of houses for my job and, to be brutally honest, what an owner considers the relevant facts, can be completely boring and inconsequential. It really is better done by well-briefed professionals if you have an EA involved.

[Fiddledee]

Sorry but they don't want to hear about how much work you've done to the house and will only be intereseted in warranties on the second offer stage.

Why are paying an EA?

[Ohforfoxsake]

My EAs were rubbish and there were 3 more flats almost identical on our street, with the same agent so they weren't selling mine more than the others. So I took matters into my own hands, and it worked.

I would have liked to have met our vendors, so many things I wanted to ask.

Some agents have people who do viewings but have no knowlege of the property or area, which is hugely frustrating.

[leothelioness]

I agree get the estate agent to do the first viewings it is very uncomfortable to look around a house with the owner there. If some one comes back for a second viewing then you can be there to answer questions.

Other than that if you have dogs etc make sure the house does not smell of them.

Leave curtains, blinds etc open so there is the maximum amount of natural light in the house + clean windows

Declutter to the maximum. Ad try to keep things fairly neutral not every one likes shocking pink wall etc.

Make sure the outside of the house is neat and tidy e.g front garden and driveway too.

Finally speak to you EA if you think they are not "selling" the house as it is their job to do this, but remember people often want to just look around and make up thier own mind without the hard sell.

I hope you sell you house soon :)

[higgle]

I much prefer to have the owners show me round - like most people I don't like estate agents much and I always have odd questions such as "can you get a wardrobe up the stairs or did yours come through the window?" that only owners can answer. Also if you met the owners you get vibes about things like divorce, new jobs that mean they want a quick sale etc. that you won't get through the EA.

[RMCW]

2 of the agents did come round and have a look to be fair to them, but the listing on rightmove was incorrect and had spelling mistakes on it!!! I was very insistent about getting it altered which seemed to surprise them.

The first 2 viewings were people who wanted a garage....we dont have a garage

One couple were lovely and very honest in that they admitted they came with the hope of putting in a silly offer but told me that the house is worth every penny we are asking for it.

We dont smoke and dont have pets...all rooms pretty neutral in colour and all recently decorated.

If I could move my house to where I wanted to be I would

[RMCW]

.........Will let you know how it goes!!!

[RMCW]

...went well.

They really liked it. The man used to live on this road when he was younger so he knew all about the area etc.