Any tips when showing round buyers?

madhouse

Hopefully this is in the right place. We are trying to sell our house at the moment and the first viewing tomorrow is at a time when the estate agent can't be there. Has anyone got any advice when showing a prospective buyer around please? Thank you.

LisaLou1982

Get rid of any clutter - put it in the car if needs be.
Show them each room at a time and then ask if they want to go round on their own.
Ask if they have any questions for you at the end.

Other than that, try not to say too much - it can put people off viewing a property if the vendors talk too much about a property when its not asked for.....esp if you start pointing out faults that they probably wouldnt notice!

Sammy85_2

I would keep a good check on them while they're in the house. You dont know them and whilst they might be genuine buyers they might also be thiefs!

Show them into each room, let them go first, you dont want to be in the way, making the room look crowded and small.

madhouse

Thank you both for the advice.

googler

De-clutter.

Consider writing out a 'script' with all the features and selling points you want to tell them, in the order in which you're going to show them (room order)

Try not to introduce each room with "This is the kitchen/lounge/bedroom." Rather, lead with something ABOUT the room concerned, and let that lead the conversation, and it'll be more conversational.

"We re-decorated the bedroom a couple of months ago, and...."
"The lounge gets the evening sun...."
etc etc

At some point in the conversation, get the name and phone number of your viewer. Find out what their current situation is - have they sold, are they currently for sale, not on the market yet, etc...

As previous poster said, let the viewers enter each room first, and don't follow them in. Wait at the door, and you'll see when they're ready to leave. Once you've shown them the whole house, and you're back in the lounge/kitchen or whatever, and you're trying to find out how interested they are in your house, if you REALLY want to grill them, stand between them and the exit door..... and only stand aside when the conversation REALLY dries up.

Plans_all_plans

I disagree with googler: if a seller tried to get my full name and phone number off me, I would not like it one bit. What you gonna do, ring me up for feedback? The viewer will talk to the agent if theyre interested and googler's approach would really put me off.

googler

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

I disagree with googler: if a seller tried to get my full name and phone number off me, I would not like it one bit. What you gonna do, ring me up for feedback? The viewer will talk to the agent if theyre interested and googler's approach would really put me off.

If the agent who is unavailable for the viewing hasn't done so already, why shouldn't the owner/vendor ask who they are letting into their home, especially if they're going to be invited to walk around the house unaccompanied?

Basic security would seem to demand this, for a kickoff, never mind following-up for feedback later, which is what I would primarily want the details for.........

LandyAndy

Usher them into the bathroom, lock the door behind you, pull out the large kitchen knife you've had concealed about you and say "So, shall we discuss how much over the asking price you are going to offer?"

Person_one

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

I disagree with googler: if a seller tried to get my full name and phone number off me, I would not like it one bit. What you gonna do, ring me up for feedback? The viewer will talk to the agent if theyre interested and googler's approach would really put me off.

Agreed, I am quite selective about who gets my mobile number and other personal details, especially since a minor stalking type incident a few years ago. Being asked this would be a real put off.

The agent has a viewer's details, if anything is to progress beyond a viewing it will be through them.

mum2one

Another thought is not just your house but the area.....
things like - train station, schools, any sports centres etc within reason, so although your selling your house your also selling the area,

If they ask why ur selling, the worst answer include

the house is too small for what we need
we've out grown the house
can't stand Mrs x 4 drs away, she knows everybodies business b4 they do
not enough room in garden kids / dog
Parking a problem
Neighbours
School to far away.

Positive answers
Job relocation
Family they want you to be nearer to them
ur be sorry to leave but needs must becoz of a,b,c, (above)

Are you doing the viewing yourselves or getting the agent to do them.

---

I would say don't take to heart if someone comes in and says they'd change everything, and also if the estate agent doing the viewing, ask them for feedback,

Good luck, hope it sells ok. xx

googler

Person_one wrote: »

Agreed, I am quite selective about who gets my mobile number and other personal details, especially since a minor stalking type incident a few years ago. Being asked this would be a real put off.

You're worried about giving your details out, but you expect to be allowed into someone else's house, and possibly left to wander around it on your own, without them knowing anything about you....?