oooo I need some quick advice!

Mrs_Arkwright

Our house is on the market, so far the agents have done all the viewings as I'm a bit nervous and preferred to be out of the way - but a lady is coming to view at 1pm and I'm having to show her round, and I'm all of a fluster!

Any quick tips on the right and wrong things to say, or should I just let her look around by herself and keep my gob shut?

Help :eek:

Doozergirl

Don't say too much, never apologise or point out any weaknesses and only tell them good things about the house.

Always let people lead the way so a) rooms look bigger without too many people b) they can go at their own pace. People don't want to lead the way initially, but I always tell people 'I've seen it before' which gets a bit of a giggle and breaks the ice.

Once they've been round once, I give them the opportunity to go around again by themselves and tell them to come back to me with any questions.

I also always have a cup of tea with me as I get a bit nervous, it stops me fidgeting and because I'm holding something in front of me, I feel protected.

HTH

fatblokexl

good advice doozergirl.
i am doing viewing in my own home just now as well but have done it beofre with my old home, but still get nervous.

yes, let them lead the way, avoids overcrowding.
yes, let them look around on their own to get a slightly different point of view (look after your valuables though, just to be safe),
answer all their questions, re neighbour hood, neighbours etc, (shows you have got nothing to hide by changing the subject, even if you lie a little)

make them feel welcome and comfotable, the more they relax the more they take in the whole house.

make the house cosy and warm, remember you are selling a lifestyle to them before you sell the property to them.

Sand_Man_2

I would suggust that you move any unneceessary furniture from your house in order to create the image of space. Even removing the odd chair and table from a couple of rooms can make it seem alot bigger than it is. You can also put it back once they have left. Its just the matter of storing it somewhere in the meantime (e.g. friends House)

Depending on your property, it might be worth highlighting the odd feature such as good views from windows, new features to the property (e.g. if you recently installed a new kitchen, it might worth highlighting it) etc. Obvioulsy this all depends on your ability to sell. Otherwise, it might worth staying quite as some people just like to look around and ask questions than being told things

Good Luck

Mrs_Arkwright

Thanks!

My message is too short!

RHemmings

If I was viewing a house and the owner was "trying too hard", it would make me feel uncomfortable. If I were you, which I'm not, I'd let them lead and just help them do what they want to do. Though, I'd point out any good points they may have missed.

JennyW_2

I did quite a few viewings when we sold. I always asked people to take their shoes off (creates a good impression too as you obviously care about your carpets)!

I didn't always let people lead the way as they probably wouldn't know where to go so I would show them then let them walk into the kitchen/bathroom etc.

Always make sure cupboards/wardrobes are tidy as people will like to see how much storage they get. Everyone who came to my house wanted to view inside the wardrobes in the bedrooms.

Ensure your house is cozy with good lighting and perhaps background radio/tv noise. Declutter as much as you can, even if you have to throw things into the car for half an hour. If you leave things laying around people will think you don't have enough storage.

Dont forget a quick burst of room freshner.

PS: I also made reference to the quiet road, carpets laid 12 months ago etc. We had done quite a bit to the property so was proud to let people know what we'd done

going2die_rich

If you've had a new bathroom or kitchen fitted recently i.e. within a few years and still looks new, mention it but say it was only fitted last year.

Also if you have good neighbours, mention that too as it's a factor on where you want to live. Especially if the neighbours are elderly so no teenagers on the street etc, as it's most likely you'll have a quieter street without younger families or teenagers.

Mention any local shops in the area and transport as they may not know the surronding area, as they may need public transport and be a bonus in their mind. Dont mention a huge supermarket or motorway behind your house though.

Keep everything positive.

Hope this helps

susieb

Hi I agree with everyone else, make it clean, tidy and fresh. Some people will be easier to talk to than others but do not feel you have to be talking all the time, let them just soak in the atmosphere.

Debt_Free_Chick

My standard suggestion ..... welcome, a bit of small talk ... over to make her a cup of tea whilst she wanders around on her own. Let her know where you'll be if she has any questions. Otherwise, answer her questions over said cup of tea.

If she declines tea (or coffee, or whatever) ask if she would prefer to have the opportunity to look around unaccompanied. Most of us do - as we find the art of discussing a potential house purchase difficult ... whether we're the buyer or the seller

lynzpower

Another open question to ask "do you know this area well? " gives them the opportunitiy to ask questions about the street/ road/ schools/ shops/ estate etc if they wanted.