Selling a Property - FAQ List

cwcw

I'm currently selling a property and have had a fair amount of viewings and an offer (not accepted, too low). What has struck me is the same questions coming up time and again, but also that some viewers do forget to ask things I'd consider fairly fundamental. I do try to pre-empt some of them but I can't remember everything either in the pressured situation of a viewing.

I have nothing to hide from them though, so I was wondering what people would think as viewers if you were handed a Frequently Asked Questions sheet along with the brochure, to take away after the viewing and digest, and answer any questions you forgot to ask? From my point of view it may help save answering the same questions again and again, as well as giving me a chance to word it as well as possible, and from the viewer's point of view it answers things they forgot to ask and shows there's nothing to hide. Or would it be weird or too open?

What do you think?

googler

cwcw wrote: »

I'm currently selling a property and have had a fair amount of viewings and an offer (not accepted, too low). What has struck me is the same questions coming up time and again, but also that some viewers do forget to ask things I'd consider fairly fundamental. I do try to pre-empt some of them but I can't remember everything either in the pressured situation of a viewing.

I wrote myself a script the last time I sold. What order I was going to lead the viewers through the rooms, and what I was going to tell them.

I'd happily type up a list of things like council tax band, local schools, bus services etc and stuff about the house to give to serious viewers, but wouldn't want to waste either it or printed schedules on timewasters.

If you feel pressured by viewing, why not get an agent who does the viewings for you?

SuzieSue

I can't see any harm and if I was a buyer, I would find it very useful.

tyllwyd

I've not heard of that - to be honest, I'd probably think you were a bit odd! I would worry that you are trying to tell the viewers too much (its easy to do when you do the viewings as an owner) - try to step back a bit, answer the questions they ask, but don't try to tell them every little thing.

cwcw

A complete split of opinion then!

I don't feel uncomfortable doing the viewings, I just thought it might be useful for them to answer their questions and show I've got nothing to hide, but I can see the flip side of maybe it looking like I'm trying too hard!

KateLiana27

I personally would have thought it was a great idea and found it very helpful. But I'm the sort who likes lists and details.

I'd probably do a handwritten sheet of paper and photocopy a bunch. I'd answer questions while showing the buyer around, and if they asked a few that were on the list I would casually say that you jotted down the answers for another viewer and would they like a copy to take away? Rather than handing them a word-processed document upfront.

SuzieSue

Although I think it is a good idea as I said previously, I've just had a thought about whether you could be laying youself open to litigation if you put things in writing.

The_Palmist

I think its a brilliant idea. It certainly would have saved me making notes and it would have made my life easier when comparing the properties I have viewed. It will also make you look more credible. There are times when I forgot to ask the basic questions and had to ring the agent who had to ring the vendor. A FAQ sheet like this would have saved everybody some time. Care need to be taken to ensure you do not release too much personal information.

The_Palmist

SuzieSue wrote: »

Although I think it is a good idea as I said previously, I've just had a thought about whether you could be laying youself open to litigation if you put things in writing.

Good point. May be Vendor can type it up and give them to read while they are around but not to take away. Also make it clear that's its an informal document. Standard Disclaimer at the end should do the trick

motherofstudents

I went to view a property where the owner did this. She printed out a list of useful stuff but to be honest it came across to me as desperate. It had been for sale for a good few months and after that viewing it ended up being rented out for a while, then back for sale at a much lower price. I'm not sure if she ever sold it but I did feel sorry for her. Maybe it would work in some situations.

cwcw

Surely you could only open yourself up for potential litigation if you lie? I was only intending on a fact sheet kind of thing.