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Property/DIY

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Original poster

"Rules" for second viewing?

15 replies

bigbadbarry · 01/04/2011 11:06

We've people coming for a second look tomorrow and I reeeeeaaalllly want them to buy the house :) Presume the same rules apply in terms of declutter/depersonalise (as far as possible: I have three small children) then should I just let them wander themselves around and try not to cross-examine them?! Any tips?

OP posts:

nocake · 01/04/2011 11:25

When I've been for a second viewing I usually want to have a good poke around in the dark corners of the house and take measurements. So, yes to decluttering and invite them to wander around themselves but make yourself available if they have questions. I would also have any useful documentation available if they want to look at it (warranties, building regs etc) Good luck

lalalonglegs · 01/04/2011 11:26

Why are you even going to be there? Unless you are selling privately, I would get the estate agent to show them round. And, yes, as tidy as possible.

Original poster

bigbadbarry · 01/04/2011 11:30

Thanks nocake - good idea re documentation (I have actually done this all before but I feel unusually nervous this time - we've been on the market forevvvvverrrr and what with the state of the housing market etc...)
lalalonglegs: it is only on MN I have ever come across the idea of not being there. I have viewed umpteen houses and sold a couple and never had a viewing accompanied by an estate agent!

OP posts:

HarrietJones · 01/04/2011 11:30

It's a head not heart viewing so they'll want details of work done/what needs doing & stuff like council tax bands etc

LifeInTheSlowLane · 01/04/2011 11:35

I would definitely want to be there, they may well want to know details like Harriet mentioned. Also IME a lot of the Saturday viewings seem to be done by agents who are not always 100% knowledgeable on the properties - I worked for an agency a few years ago and we had every other Saturday off, so sometimes the rental agents might do a sales viewing and vice versa to help out.

Try to set up a nice "relaxing at the weekend" vibe - nice coffee on the go, weekend papers out, pottering in the garden, etc so they can see what a lovely place it would be to spend their weekends

Original poster

bigbadbarry · 01/04/2011 11:49

Thanks chaps. I won't actually be here myself - I'm going to take DDs 1&2 to tumbletots/music - but DH will be. I will drill into his head that he must a. make sure the baby is asleep or being smily and cute; b. make nice-smelling coffee; c. not have some godawful music on.
Of course, if tomorrow continues like today I will actually be here holding a sick bowl for DD2. That should sell it.
(They won't open cupboards will they?

OP posts:

tyler80 · 01/04/2011 12:40

For a second viewing I'd prefer an owner to be there as they're more likely to be able to answer any questions (not yet had an estate agent show me round a house where the owner wasn't dead yet anyway, first or second viewing).

Ask if they'd prefer to look round on their own or have you/your OH accompany them.

Yes, I'll probably open cupboards, I don't mind if they're stuffed full as long as they don't avalanche on opening :)

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/04/2011 17:58

Oh I'm with Lala - I hate the owners being there.

We've just bought a house and on the second viewing we were there about 45 minutes with the agent and just went round each room figuring out what we'd need to do.

Onky · 01/04/2011 21:45

Take all the children out and let the agent do the showing.

Where can you go for lunch?

ChupaChups · 01/04/2011 21:49

I hate the owners being there too.

You want to be able to talk about things (good and bad) and it's nigh on impossible when the owner is there.

GO OUT AND LET THE EA SHOW THEM AROUND!!!

hksi · 02/04/2011 06:51

If EA can't do it then let the people wander around while you sit stressing relaxing in the garden. This way you can answer all manner of questions but they can also have privacy.

purepurple · 02/04/2011 09:35

For a second viewing I prefer the owners to be there so I can ask them lots of questions about work done etc, schools, bus routes etc. Stuff that an estae agent just won't know.
I also like to be allowed to have a wander around by ourselves, so I can point out stuff to DH that might need attention and might affect the price. If the vendor accompanied us, then I would ask afterwards if we could have another look by ourselves.
As a vendor I would be asking if they had anything to sell and what position they were in. Really important if you don't want to get stuck in a chain.
Good luck

notcitrus · 02/04/2011 09:49

Owner there but after saying hello hiding in different rooms until you've finished poking everything. Means your buyers can be relaxed about insulting your DIY and discussing what would have to be changed ASAP.

Copies of bills to hand to prove the low running costs etc are useful. I like being able to ask sellers lots of questions about the neighbours, the area, cracks in the walls, etc.

frostyfingers · 04/04/2011 12:40

We've always been around, but let the viewers get on with it themselves - disappear out into the garden and make sure you're out of earshot so they can have a really good poke around.

TBH I don't care if someone's cupboards are full, so long as the contents don't actually fall out - what is a cupboard for after all? I've never expected a show home, but clean and tidyish is fine.

If you have an attic they may want to look into that so make sure it's easy to get at, have relevant paperwork, and try and have a friendly chat at the end. You need to get on with them if they're going to buy!

Good luck!

Original poster

bigbadbarry · 04/04/2011 14:35

I am on tenterhooks - presumably as I have not heard anything yet, they weren't beating down the EA's door to make an offer :(
I offered them a coffee and stayed well out of the way...they refused my coffee (that is a bad sign I reckon) then at the end said they had to dash as they had somebody coming to see their house. Utterly perplexed now as I believe they had sold. Didn't twig fast enough to ask at the time!
Thanks for all the advice - looks like I might well be needing it again. Bah.

OP posts:

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