Timewasters - coping strategies!

taxiphil

I wonder if anyone else, like me, has been in the position where they've had plenty of viewers but never any offers, and where many of the viewers are suspected timewasters.

My house has been on the market for a year and I've had about 20 viewings in that time. Now, this isn't just a rant about the fact that my house isn't selling (although that is troubling as it's a great house in a great location, with clean and neutral decor, as close to showhome condition as I can realistically achieve, and I've slashed the asking price to way below what an identical house sold for on my road last year).

What's p*ssing me off enormously is the way some of the viewers saunter around the house very arrogantly, nitpicking about incredibly trivial cosmetic issues (like getting down on hands and knees to examine a one-inch scuff mark on a skirting board, or asking what kind of base was constructed under the garden shed!) yet never have the courtesy to give my agent any feedback afterwards.

My agent always tries hard to contact viewers for feedback but the vast majority just ignore their calls and voicemails. Is it me, or is this downright rude? It's fine if they don't like the house for whatever reason, or if they're still in the process of viewing more houses, but I'm offended that they ignore my agent's calls after I've given up my time and allowed them to wander around my private home.

The few that do give feedback just say something vague like "it wasn't quite what we're looking for." I've never been able to nail it down to anything specific, which is annoying.

I've had my fair share of undesirables too, such as the family with two kids who trod mud over all the carpets (they were another bunch who ignored my agent's requests for feedback).

I'm well aware that it's a buyer's market at the moment, but I can't help feeling that the genre of "property !!!!!!" TV programmes has spawned a new national hobby of wandering around peoples' homes, mainly for voyeuristic reasons, when there is no serious intention to buy but just to faff around indecisively for months on end.

I also think these TV shows have also created an unrealistic pursuit of perfection in the minds of some househunters, which is bordering on paranoia. We all know the importance of choosing the right house, but no house is ever going to be 100% perfect.

It's now becoming a real struggle to open the door to viewers with a friendly smile and an open mind, when I'm thinking to myself "here we go again."

Anyone got any ideas about how I can break this cycle, or do I just have to ride it out for however long it takes? After it's been going on for a year it really starts getting you down.

My agent already insists (on my instruction) that they're proceedable before I'll allow a viewing, but of course they all say they're proceedable and I think the hardcore timewasters are just lying.

J_J_Carter

I thought RightMove had all but eliminated the 'tyre kickers' and the plain nosey.

>such as the family with two kids who trod mud over all the carpets<

No harm in asking viewers to remove shoes

abaxas

We are currently looking to buy.

Seen plenty houses that weren't right, but we still went through the motions to save everyone's 'face'.

Maybe they are doing that?

puppypants

I used to have neighbours whose weekend entertainment was going round houses. They had no intention of moving but liked a nosey! They used to tell me about the ones they were offered cups of tea and cake at!!

When I was selling I had an enormous amount of viewings which I found quite difficult so I made the estate agent do them whilst I sat in my car down the road!! Takes the pressure off, and after all, it's what we pay the agent for!!

Good luck, someone will come along eventually!

go_cat

Does your EA weed out unproceedable buyers to avoid people who look round houses for a living?

You are bound to be annoyed with them as its your house so how dare they not like it

You say it's priced lower than one sold for last year but it still may be priced too high in this market if you have been up for sale for a year.

Good luck and keep smiling

J_J_Carter

as close to showhome condition as I can realistically achieve

Post the Rightmove link and let your MSE chums decide on that!

flora48

Get the EA to do the viewings.

taxiphil

go_cat wrote: »

Does your EA weed out unproceedable buyers to avoid people who look round houses for a living?

They ask them if they're proceedable, but I'm not sure what else they can do. Do some agents go the extra mile by asking for documentary evidence of proceedability before allowing a viewing?

go_cat wrote: »

You are bound to be annoyed with them as its your house so how dare they not like it

Not at all! I'd actually be grateful if they said they didn't like it, and backed it up with an actual reason. At least then I'd have some idea of where I stand. E.g. if my lawned garden is proving widely unpopular, I'll block pave it. What irks me is the rudeness of not giving any feedback at all!

go_cat wrote: »

You say it's priced lower than one sold for last year but it still may be priced too high in this market if you have been up for sale for a year.

True, but I'm surprised that nobody has made a cheekily low offer. It would have been a starting point for negotiations.

jbainbridge

Problem is - there is no way of telling who is serious and who isn't. As has been said 'keep smiling'!

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about feedback. Either they want the house or they don't! Sometimes I guess they won't tell you the real reason anyway. Though to be told it was because the third bedroom was 'too small' was most irritating as you could have seen that without viewing ... and wasting all our time!

PasturesNew

Since most buyers are delusional or not actually able to buy (even though they think they are) .... and since most sellers are over-priced and over-optimistic.... it's hard to know how to offer advice... so I've just given you my opinion instead.

googler

flora48 wrote: »

Get the EA to do the viewings.

Exactly.

You won't be offended by someone on their hands and knees inspecting your skirting board if you don't see them doing it. You won't be offended by their arrogance if you don't speak to them, or meet them face-to-face.

The EA probably won't need to follow up or chase them for feedback if he/she can get them to open up on what they like/dislike at the viewing; which they'll be unlikely to do with you there.

If outside shoes are an issue, go to Machine Mart, or any tool hire place, for a big bag of plastic overshoes, and get the EA to 'ask' the viewers to put these on at the door, or to leave their shoes at the door or in a vestibule/mud room.