Agent viewings or do them myself

[eggofmantumbi]

Need to get my house on the market pretty quickly. Can't make a decision about which agent to use and one of the biggest differences seems to be whether I do the viewings or the EA does them.

I'd be limited in when I can do them. I can only do after 4pm and even that only on some weekdays, until about 5.30 or weekends, so for me EA would be more flexible.

Does anyone have any information/ ideas about this?

I have done both & property sold both times! Advantages & disadvantages tbh I don't trust estate agents and either methods did not make me trust them more. Feedback is always useful if honestly given

When I am buying I prefer to be shown round by the estate agent.
You feel more relaxed , and if you don’t like the house you don’t have to be too polite !

You've answered your own question - why would you restrict when interested parties could view? Get the EA to do the viewings.

In my experience the estate agent usually knows little about the property when there is a query. They know the absolute basics and can show you the obvious features...boiler/radiators/built in dishwasher/storage etc...which you can pick up for yourself!

Ask about anything more in depth and often vitally important and they do not have a clue but the vendor knows the history, facts and figures so is far more useful to talk to. I can often pick up fibs and evasion to issues, exaggerations etc by watching their reaction to questions [re: neighbours, party walls etc].

Having said that some vendors follow you about, talking [often nothing to do with the property] and distracting so the viewing is frustrating. But EA's do that too. A good one will let you walk around without being trailed, in silence so you can think and visualise yourself living there. A good one will know be able to answer relevant questions.

However I would say to the OP to give the keys to a good EA as the viewing times are quite restrictive, although a genuine buyer would be cooperative regarding viewing appointments.

Much as I loathe showing strangers around my home, I would choose to do them myself - I am the expert! When we were viewing the house we live in now, an estate agent showed us round first time. All fine, nice enough for a second viewing when we were shown around by the owners. They actually showed us the second floor/attic - the door to which was slightly hidden around a corner. The second floor of our house is huge with masses of storage. Why the estate agent didn't know or wasn't bothered I have no idea.

That's really interesting, thank you. I think it is mostly restricting the viewing times I'm worried about. I'm a teacher with a toddler and no family nearby so really can't be flexible!

Hi I have recently Sold my property , I did 2 viewings and then decided to hand over to Estate Agent and it Sold within 2 and half weeks! , she was great and got the price I was wanting , it was so smooth , guess it is a personal thing whether you want to do the viewings or not . I found it so much easier when someone else did it for me no rushing back from work to tidy as I always had plenty of notice prior to viewings , good luck!

Thank you. I'm definitely leaving towards agent. As you say I think I'd be frazzled from all the rushing around

Agents can often only do 'office hours' so you could have them do those and you do viewings for people like yourself who can only do evenings or weekends.

What lonecat said
We work shifts and have a baby, so viewing during the day was ideal. There were two houses that we liked for sale with online agents and the owner doing viewings. We just couldn't get our times to match up, as they were restricted with when they were available. We ended up not viewing them at all.

Sometimes I worry that I hadn't thought of doing that already!