any tips on doing your own viewings? What do you look for as a buyer?

[alicethehorse]

Got our first viewer coming round tomorrow.

Have you got any tips on showing them round, from a seller's or a buyer's point of view?

All I've got so far is:

• Let them go into rooms first and for me to stay by the door.
  
• Don't state the blooming obvious ("this is the kitchen, it has an oven" etc).
  

Any tips gratefully received!

TIA :)

[motherofallhangovers]

I accompanied them round once, then let them have a good look on their own.
I reckon I did just as good a job as an EA showing them round! And I was able to answer questions about neighbours and local shops better than any EA would have been able to as they don't live there!

It wasn't slick and professional, but then people don't expect it to be from the owner I don't think.

At one point I meant to say "this is a real granite floor" but what came out was "this is the floor" and then I kind of got stuck! Talk about stating the blooming obvious
But that was with the really nice lady, she said "um, yes" and found it funny - it was fine. (I did manage to explain what I really actually meant after)

[motherofallhangovers]

OK, had 6 viewings now, hopefully getting the hang of it!

The second viewers are still interested but they've got three on their shortlist from what I can gather.

The first couple haven't responded to the EA's follow up email/call so I can only assume they're not interested. (Shame, they were the cash buyers!).

The other 4 came this weekend so have to wait till at least Monday for feedback! One definitely liked it. She was lovely, stayed for ages and talked about how the flat was much bigger than most in the area. Whether that means an offer or not - we'll just have to wait and see! She'll be back for a second look with her mum.

One was too tall for it so we'll count her out! (The ceiling in the kitchen is low and she was as tall as DP - 6'2''!).

The other two couples were really hard to read, they weren't giving anything away! My gut instinct says maybe to one of them and probably not to the other.

[oopslateagain]

Ooh that is exciting - good luck!

[motherofallhangovers]

No worries I knew exactly what you meant :)

They've asked for a second viewing, so fingers crossed!

[oopslateagain]

The grammar in that sentence was awful.

[oopslateagain]

That sounds hopeful! Sounds as though, leaving location out of it, they actually prefer your house.

[alicethehorse]

Good advice, thanks! :)

[frostyfingers]

Hedging their bets......! There's nothing you can do but keep showing people round, and try not to get too hung up on it. It's so stressful for the first couple of times then you get more relaxed about it. You can't make them choose it, you've done your job by showing them round, just sit back and relax and keep the bottle handy!

[alicethehorse]

OK, so got this feedback, from the second couple:

"The viewer has indicated that they may be interested in pursuing the property further, they are currently deciding between this property and another one that is in a better location for them but doesn't have the space that this one does. They are hoping to come to a decision in the next week or so."

What do you reckon?

[alicethehorse]

Rhubarbgarden thanks for your post, made me and DP too. And you're right, the most important thing is the flat, not what I do!

[alicethehorse]

Clever students!

I'm not keen on viewing places with tenants. I know from bitter experience tenants don't always leave when you ask them to!

We've got another two viewings booked for later in the week, so I'm going to use some of the tips here then.

We'll get it down to a fine art eventually!

[kensingtonkat]

Good news on the viewings, Mother.

Grubby doormats are a bit of a turn off, I agree, especially when they're damp and stink.

Though we once went to a viewing where we had to put blue plastic shoe protectors on. I wouldn't have minded if the carpets were new, but it was to view a house that had been let to students

Turned out the students had insisted, so any stains to the carpet didn't affect their deposit. Smart thinking.

[alicethehorse]

Sorry that was terrible grammar!

I meant I intended to wait in the garden while they had a look around.

(Not that I intended to wait while they looked at the garden!)

[alicethehorse]

About the viewings, both couples seemed fairly keen, although I know that could just be politeness!

The second couple were really nice too. Turns out they have a friend on the same road, so they know the area well. If I had to guess, my money's on them at the moment I think.

The viewings went well I think. I told them that I was going to show them round, then leave them to it to have a proper look themselves, and we did just that.

I think it worked well. The only problem was that I had intended to wait while they looked in the garden so they had access to all rooms, but it was raining. Never mind!

I forgot to give the first couple a brochure (damn!) but I remembered for the second. Waiting impatiently for feedback from the agent now :)

[alicethehorse]

thisoldgirl thanks for that, really useful. Some good tips there :)

We've done lots of those. Flat is decluttered in the extreme!

We're have got a doormat, but it's a brand new one, with a contemporary design. We've laid new carpets last week so a doormat is a must!

[Bunbaker]

"No doormats"

In this weather! You have got to be joking! I wouldn't ask a potential viewer to remove their shoes, so somewhere to wipe their feet is a necessity.

[thisoldgirl]

Sorry Mother, bit late replying to your question about presenting/stageing now you've already had viewings.

The not very helpful answer is I don't know . I just remember accompanying the agents and photographers on their walk-throughs. Some odd things I do remember:

Blinds must all be suspended to the same height all the time, and curtains must always be open unless they're truly spectacular, when they should be photographed closed but left open during viewings

During viewings, all windows should be slightly open and all internal doors closed. Should all be closed in photographs

Loo seats down, loo paper hotel-folded

No loo brush

No doormats

No tablecloths

No evidence of pets

Cupboards clean on the inside and the fridge should be spotless and only sparsely stocked

Hang a designer dress or coat on the back of bedroom doors during viewings

Remove family photos on tables for photography but re-instate them during viewings

All books and DVDs should align with the edge of bookshelves

Coffee table clear during photographs but staged during viewings

There should always be a smart invitation on the mantelpiece (the stager used mock-ups!)

A bottle of champagne should be in the fridge, especially if it's integrated into the kitchen units

The dishwasher must be empty

Every large house should have evidence of children, even if no children live there

[alicethehorse]

not a daft question, kensingtonkat!

The buyer deals with housenetwork like they would a normal agent, so they make the offer to them, not us - except that they do it over the phone (or Internet if they prefer). So HN do all the stuff a traditional agent does, except the valuation and the viewings.

[kensingtonkat]

OP, sorry if this is a daft question, but does the buyer offer to you directly?

Will you have to do the negotiations on price?

I'm quite tempted to try out internet selling myself next time so very interested to know how the nitty gritty works.

[alicethehorse]

First one went well, nice couple, didn't stay very long but I overheard him saying "i really like it" as they left. Didn't catch her reply though, damn!

Got another one in 20 mins ...

[oopslateagain]

How did your viewing go OP?

(I'm stealing your tips btw! )

[Stokey]

I just sold through house network. TBH apart from the bathroom which is on the way upstairs to kitchen and living room, I didn't show any of the rooms. Just told people to go and look around and I'll be waiting in living room to answer any questions. Worked pretty well as people who weren't interested just said thanks and left, and the others came and had a chat, then I could show them anything they had specific questions about. We had 15 viewings in 2 weeks and 5 offers, so was definitely successful. Best of luck mother

[frostyfingers]

I agree about the EA not doing the viewings, a good vendor is a much better sales person than the EA - the love and enthusiasm for house (fake or real!) comes through and many questions buyers ask can't always be answered by the EA straight away.

Obviously it won't work for you, but our EA took us round our house and showed us the best order to do the viewing, where to finish, basic questions to be prepared for and a rough guide as what to say and what to avoid. You could always be cheeky and go to a viewing of another property to see how someone else manages it. Tread carefully though, no one loves a sightseer!

I think you need to be wary of not overloading them with information but make sure that you get across the points that made you buy the house - assuming they're similar sort of buyers.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Also, don't spend too much time worrying about it! If someone loves your flat they are going to want to buy it whatever you do or don't say. We were once shown round a house by the vendor's teenage daughter, because the agent failed to show and her parents were out. She was in her pyjamas and had a hangover; we loved the house and made an offer the next day.

[Rhubarbgarden]

As a buyer, I much prefer being shown round by the vendor because you can get so much extra info from them. But the advice not to say too much is a good one; I remember looking round one house where I was keen to hear about it's history, and while the vendor was telling my husband all the stuff I wanted to know, his wife was prattling onto me about how cute our baby is. Nice of her, yes, but really annoying because DH did not retain the info I was keen to hear and I couldn't really ask the guy to repeat it