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.

I hate estate agents showing me round. They never know the answers to my questions (what's that weird looking socket for? Is the flat connected to any streaming service? What are the neighbours like? Are there any communal drier areas? How often are the gardens done? Why are you moving?) And they are never mature. Usually on a gap year before university. Sellers do a better job every time!

Potential buyers just want to see the house. I showed people around mine, it worked fine and we sold within 2 weeks (a long time ago). We were able to chat about the local area etc.

You need to be honest but positive. I viewed a house where there was no estate agent, they were doing everything themselves. They completely put me off it by emphasising how old the boiler was and pointing out to me the third bedroom wasn't big enough to use (which was the main reason we were looking for a new house!)

I did about 50/50 with the agent when I sold mine recently. I did the viewing when I actually sold and the buyer was an estate agent. He had so many questions so I was glad I was there to answer them. When I was viewing I didn't mind either way.

I'd always do the viewing myself. The less involvement the EA has the less opportunity they have to cock things up.

No EA have ever offered to show any of our houses, and the only houses I’ve viewed that haven’t been shown by owners are ones that have been empty and some guy just comes round and unlocks the door and lets you wander.
Our last house sold to the first viewer, the previous one had the 3rd & 4th both putting in offers, so we must have been doing it okay.
We recently had a valuation and that agent said they show viewers around, but every property of their I’ve seen sold has gone back on the market weeks later so I won’t be selling with them!

Last house I sold, we'd had about ten viewings with the estate agent, but no offers. One Saturday afternoon I was slobbed out with the kids when the doorbell rang. It was the estate agent with a young family who had come to view, they'd forgotten to tell us! I ran around ahead of them, scooping up kids and mess as I went, whilst the agent walked them through. At the end of the viewing they had a few questions which I was able to answer and we had a chat about our respective positions. They made an offer first thing on Monday morning. I definitely think being present helped secure the offer, even though the house wasn't really viewing ready!

Yes. I am pleased the person in question had no problem selling their house but that behaviour is downright creepy and invasive.

And I thought I had trust issues. Turns out I am doing better than I thought.

I'd strongly suggest going with whatever is normal in your location.
Like others have said, estate agent viewing are very rare round here. You expect to have the vendor there. So I would swerve the estate agent viewing option.
BUT, if you are in an area where the majority of viewings are done by an estate agent, seriously consider doing so - because those are likely to be the people who "hate having the vendor there".

Completely normal round here.
Makes no difference.