Are viewings meant to be awkward?

[CatMad90]

I had my first viewing on my house last week, I've never done one before so didn't really know what to do. I found it SO awkward. I've viewed houses before and felt a little awkward, but actually hosting one felt so much worse.

They were here less than 10 minutes and had very little to say. It was awful!!! Is this normal?

I've got more booked next week and I'm dreading it now.

I hosted a viewing of my house. It was fine. What exactly did you find awkward?

If it makes you feel uncomfortable, why not get the agent to do it?

It’s generally more pleasant for both parties if you get the agent to do the viewing preferably whilst you are out. Obviously not so easy at the moment. And I guess it could be more awkward than usual with additional measures like social distancing and masks.

Having the house owner there was awkward for me (never sold my own house so can’t offer that side) because I felt I couldn’t be honest about what I liked and disliked.

Did you let them look by themselves or awkwardly guide them around?

We've just sold our house so obviously had to do viewings, although our estate agents said to us they are happy to do our viewings for us.

When people arrived at our house we would say in a really relaxed way 'happy to show you around or we are happy to get out of your way while you have a good look, and then we can answer any questions u might have'

The people who made an offer were a couple who asked to look round by themselves. We waited in the garden (it was sunny) and they came out into the garden after to ask some questions.

I think everyone is different and some people like to look round without being with the seller.

I far prefer viewing with the agent and the vendor out. Two owners (selling through PB) talked so much in one case we fortunately had the excuse of the next appointment to get away.

One tip I had was that if you're showing people around, to let them go in to a room first so you're not making it seem smaller by already being in there. I didn't learn this first time around and ended up squished in my tiny kitchen with 2 other people!

It can be a bit awkward, especially if the viewers aren't particularly conversational. I would suggest asking people whether they want you to show them around or whether they'd prefer to take a look on their own.

It's awkward because you are personally invested in your home. Maybe, next time, you could try pretending that you are an estate agent and it's not your home.

Myself, I could never do it!

I viewed a house last week but made it a condition that it was done by the EA and the owners were out. I personally would have found it awkward if the owners lead the viewing. I just remembered though that as a child when we did viewings (which was the norm) my DM used to insist that they stayed for supper! That must have been really awkward for the viewers.

Agent vs owner can be a regional thing though, we found in one city it was all owners doing the viewings. That was Scotland, might be a while country thing, or not.

We’ve done some ourselves, occasionally it’s awkward. Sounds like you just had one of those.

What if they steal something? I guess anything pinchable of value must be well hidden or removed. Argh such a pain viewings it's putting me off selling

So much better for vendor and potential buyer that the agent does the viewings. If the vendor is there, the person or people viewing can not discuss the house openly, compare it to others they have seen and really get a good feel how they would fit in. The seller feels very personal about it, may inadvertently say things like 'oh it's too small for us' or 'we are moving for a better school' without realising what they are saying.
If you are using an agent get them to earn their commission. Brief them as to any points you have always loved about it so they can share it ('the sun sets just at the end of the garden which is always lovely', 'the neighbourhood is especially friendly and welcoming' etc).
If you carry on doing it yourself, make sure you have the particulars to give them as they come in, suggest they go around themselves and that you can answer any questions. You dont have to trail around pointing out the obvious, but do emphasise point as mentioned above - tailoring it to their needs. Family: schools and parks nearby; professional couple: train station and good restaurants and so on.

I've actually found it nice when owners do the viewing. Most estate agents seem to be 18 year olds that just say here's the kitchen . Maybe that's just me...
And we will discuss dislikes etc after in the car.

We let the agent does ours, I think we may have been home for one from memory but totally stayed out of the way if we did.

When buying I prefer the agent being there not the owner

I'm guessing the rules have changed in CV times?

Like a PP, when we sold (pre CV) I got the agent to do all our viewings and we went out. They're buying the house not us.

When we sold a couple of years ago, the agent did most of them but there were a couple that we did because the viewers wanted to come in the evenings. One was fine, but the other was so awkward, they barely spoke!

We had a mixture but I ended up clinching the sale for our house. I practised before having something positive to say about each room and our reason for moving. 'This is our son's room, I love the view from this window' etc. I tended to show them around and then asked if they wanted to look around on their own. Also sold the area, schools etc.

We were close to offer on one slightly overpriced property, then went for a viewing with the seller. Unfortunately he spent the whole time telling us how he'd overpaid on his onward purchase and had to overprice his as a result (his words) and wouldn't accept a penny below the asking price.

Went on and on about having a time limit before he lost his onward purchase and was desperate to sell and needed things done quickly but couldn't understand why people kept walking away without offering

We did not bother offering, but did explain to the agent that while the honesty was refreshing, him overpaying was not our problem and if he wanted to sell it may be better if he didn't do the viewings anymore....

We had the agent do all our last ones - we went out for dinner a couple of times, went for a walk, just sat on a bench round the corner. So much less awkward.

Of course meanwhile ONE of the couple here was in every time (three viewings) So we got the awkwardness but I never got to be nosy and find out what the husband was like.

I have opted to pay for the EA to do the viewings. Too worried I would give too much info away on a price we would accept. Plus in the past its been easier to negotiate with someone I have not met makes it less personal

Oh I hate it when the vendor is doing the viewings, it feels so awkward. I'd much prefer an EA to do it.

I did the viewings for our house that just sold. Some people were easier than others. I would show them around then give them a little time by themselves. It's useful to think about why you like the house and location, what would you ask if you are viewing. Then you have something to build conversation on.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

Having the house owner there was awkward for me (never sold my own house so can’t offer that side) because I felt I couldn’t be honest about what I liked and disliked.

Yep this for me also. Every house we viewed apart from 1 when we were buying was done by the owner and I felt it was awkward. Much rather the EA do it so I can feel like I can be honest. The house we actually bought the first time we went we were also in and out within 10 mins. When we come to sell in the future I will definitely have the agent do the viewings.

Round here the agent books the viewing all in the space of about 90 minutes to it ups the competition, then the show round whilst you’re out, as it’s easier