Thoughts on sellers doing viewings?

[northchesterforest]

Hi there, in a nutshell our estate agent has said they will dramatically reduce their commission if we, the sellers, take on the viewings.

I work from home so I'm more than happy to do this. My only concerns are whether this will put buyers off?

Please give honest opinions!
I can be really welcoming and professional, but also give them their space... I look quite young for my age so I worry they might not take me as seriously as your traditional middle aged, male agent even though I'm the seller but I might be being silly.

If you're good with people, go for it. If you'd rather not, don't. Sometimes it's really helpful, sellers know.the answer to buyers questions, so there's no delay there. And sometimes it's super awkward viewing with a home owner. Overall though, I've found it a positive experience.

In Scotland it’s completely normal for sellers to do the viewings. Usual tactic is to show the viewers round then give them time to look round on their own. When they come into the room you’re lurking in, you smile and remove yourself! Think of the kind information they’ll be interested in and what you’ve most liked about the house/area. They might ask why you’re moving and where you’re going.

I've found it's generally been better than with an estate agent

I sold mine as the agents were too busy for the first week. I showed 14 different sets of viewers around.

Let the viewers go into the room first. I hung back in hallway or landing, and mentioned anything of importance, ie that bedroom has a king sized bed in it so you can see how big it is. The fire is gas and has been serviced. There is an electric shower over the bath which is great if ever you need to turn the gas off. Otherwise say nothing unless they ask questions. Which is pretty much what all the agents do.

they might not take me as seriously as your traditional middle aged, male agent even
I've also been looking - the majority of agents have been 25-30 yr females. Not men.

I've found it really helpful as they can answer any questions about the property and also about the local area, schools etc. Went on a a estate agent accompanied viewing whilst I was looking recently too and felt hurried round the property, he also couldn't answer most of the questions I had about it. What I really hate is being shown round by an EA when the seller is there but not engaged in the viewing! Once viewed a house where the whole family were sat watching tv and largely ignored us whilst the EA talked the house up. It was quite off putting. If you wfh it would probably be better for you to do them unless you can arrange to go out.

Actively puts me off viewing.

This. In Scotland it is completely the norm. Being shown round by an agent is unusual and often only where the owner is deceased or abroad, that kind of thing.

That's interesting! For what reasons?

I hate it when the owners are in the house, much prefer the EA to show me round at least at the first viewing. You can be more honest with an EA and show your true reaction rather than having to pretend to like properties you don’t to be polite.

I far prefer it. I get instant answers and it generally cuts through any BS about the vendor’s status.

But, be warned, after being charming about your lovely home I may not be quite as honest with feedback, as I may now not want to offend you.

I'm in Scotland and it's a huge no for me. Luckily I've only had a handful of viewings where the owner has been present. I would cancel any viewings in future where I knew this was going to be the case unless I already thought I was in love with the house.

I find it awkward and don't feel like I can be honest at all. Maybe it's a manners thing, but it feels like you should only say nice things about someones house when you are in it! I want to be able to have a proper conversation with my husband about the house and not in whispered hushed tones. 😀

On first viewing I also don't actually want to see the people that live in the house. If I'm not drawn to them it might put me off. It's harder to envision the house being mine when the people that own it are actually still there. A bit like how estate agents say to remove too many personal photos etc I suppose.
That's just how I feel though. I know lots don't mind it at all. My Mum is a massive people person and talker and so loves the owners to be there! I'm far more shy and reserved.

I sold my tiny flat with lots of issues to the first viewer. I showed them round the. Removed myself to another room. They said in feedback I was really knowledgeable and loved the fact I loved my flat and had been there for ages.

This is a fair point. We have come away from viewings where the OH said “he seems nice” and I said” “err.. ?” and “she seems nice” and I said “I didn’t particularly get that impression. Actually, I think she’d be quite difficult to deal with.”

You can’t form unfavorable opinions if the vendor is not present.

It would put me off viewing. It feels awkward and I don't feel I can be honest whilst looking round

No from me. Vendors can get very defensive especially when a house is overpriced. Objective of my viewing is usually to establish whether house seems worth asking price or not, and what sellers position is.

I’ve normally decided everything else on paper ahead of time.

I think I would feel like this too but I was hoping the general consensus would be positive as it's such a good saving...
maybe I could ask a friend or family member to do them instead (obviously would slip them some money for their time and to thank them) - would that be better DYT?

No it’s better to use a professional EA - a good one is worth the money

I'm always mind blown that it isn't the norm. I live up north and it's very, very rare for the EA to do the viewings. Only ever had one where the estate agent showed us round and that was because the owners had moved abroad and the house was empty.

Jeso you aren't required to give a critique! I'm in Scotland too and when we bought our current house the owner showed us round- she gave us plenty of space to wander, talked about what a great party house it is and encouraged us to look at the loft- which is massive - as it had been a big surprise to her when she moved in. It gave us a chance to be open about our position, her about hers and then we made an offer which was immediately accepted because we knew what was important to each other.
Big tick from me but I think k it worked because she was very factual about the house and it didn't make it feel like she was selling a pet of herself which she was defensive over. Also having plenty of space and no cheesy estate agent was a refreshing change.
Good luck

I much prefer to show people around / be shown around by the owners. I find EA don't know the answers to important questions I may want to ask. I also think it is useful for getting a feel of whether they will be dicks to deal with in such a stressful process (although they may seem lovely and still be dicks!). I have sold many times and usually show them around downstairs and tell them to go and have a wonder around upstairs then wait in the garden so they can have a look around downstairs again without me there.

When I sold last year I was convinced a lady I showed around wasn't interested but she went and put in an offer straight away and we completed in 9 weeks so you can't always tell.

I did our viewings because I worked from home so it just made sense. I welcomed them, let them know where I’d be if they wanted to ask any questions, and let them look round for themselves without me ear wigging on any comments.

It successfully sold. The trick is not feel too personally about the house. The couple who bought ours hold me they planned to knock through into the garage and have a fully open plan downstairs. We’d just fully renovated everything. I just smiled and said that sounded wonderful!

I think if you've got common sense and people skills then showing yourself can be a bonus. When we've done it and sold, I think we sold the lifestyle as much as the house. Where the walks are, where the cafes are, close by attractions, what's going on in the locality. Also talked about other potential work to the house we've thought of over time. But we've moved for positive reasons, I can see why you wouldn't if its a sad or negative thing.

People saying they let people wander around their home unsupervised, is that really such a good idea? It’s easy for people to arrange viewings with few checks done.

I feel like one of the advantages of using an EA is that they do go from room to room with the viewers, though it doesn’t feel intrusive because they have no emotional connection to the property.

It's completely normal for sellers to do viewings where I live. It's rare for an estate agent to do it

I hate being shown around by the owner, I personally feel awkward and it makes it feel more personal than I would like it to be. But not everyone feels this way clearly so perhaps it's just a matter of personal preference