Open days for viewing?

Bananamilk_2

Are open days a good way of getting several potential buyers in at the same time? I'm thinking it might make the property look more 'in demand' if you know there are other people coming the same day?

Has anyone used this method for viewings who can advise please? Did you do it in 30 min slots, or just a open door basis? (Presuming the viewers have already registered an interest and their details with the EA of course).

Daisy70

I thought about it and decided against on the advice of my EA, he didn't think it was necessary and he was right, we had an offer in 3 days:) Your EA will advise you as to the best option; if you decide on an open day, probably 30 min slots would be best.

Malks

Have attended several open houses from a buyers point of view. We found them annoying, as all the ones we went to, although there was meant to be an allocated time to view, we found everyone just turned up at the start time, so whilst you are trying to view the place and ask questions you have another bunch of buyers doing the same thing.

From a selling point of view, it does seem to put pressure on the buyers to put in a slightly higher opening offer I think if they like the place, as you are trying to ensure you go above what other people may offer if they like the place as well.

The viewers must register with the Estate Agent first, they can’t just show up at the door!

Bananamilk_2

Great, thanks for both replies. Hmm, will need to give more thought and see what the EA says. I'm planning to conduct all the viewings myself and live some distance away (property is tenanted) so I thought it might help to roll them all together. Can see that it could be annoying from the buyer POV though...

Better_Days

Open days seem to fall in two categories:

1) Desperate to sell and is used as a marketing ploy
2) Property marketed at a very attractive AP for a quick sale and EA can't be bothered to show potential buyers round individually

As a buyer I don't like them much because as others have said if I am thinking of spending many thousands of pounds I would at least like the attention of the EA/Vendor when I view.

As a tenant I would hate it - all and sundry traipsing round and trying to keep an eye on them all (and my posessions) like trying to herd cats. Would be horrible if it was raining and everyone was coming in with wet shoes and coats. But you could ask your tenants what they think.

phoebe1989seb

We attended an *open day* on a repo a couple of years back. Actually we weren't told it was going to be an open day, but when we turned up at the appointed time there were lots of other viewers there too - it was a bit of a pain tbh as you couldn't really look round without someone else breathing down your neck or eavesdropping on what you were saying. As we left the EA was standing by the door telling people 'you can place an offer on Friday' or something to that effect - ummm, don't think so, the area was a dump!

On the other hand, when we were selling my parents' house last year, we had an acceptable offer almost straight away that fell through two days later after the buyer discovered he wouldn't be able to install a dropped kerb. Following this there was considerable interest so our EA suggested arranging block back-to-back viewings - around five I think on the sunniest Saturday in October - which sparked a bit of a bidding war and we received two asking price offers and a couple of lower ones. The EA believed - quite rightly as it turned out - that one set of viewers arriving as another set were leaving would create an increased level of interest and a determination to be the successful party

rickeeee

We went to view on sunday a property new to the market on Firday,
There was a lot of interest and viewers there.

One woman looked at us a if we were pieces of s***t whilst her brat of a child ran around the house (tut tut)

Had to have a little titter about it all, the house was lovely but not for us, but I wandered around making all the right noises to wind her up. Smug in the knowledge that if i wanted the house I am in a very good position to buy it.

I think it can be a good thing, it causes me no problems, after all a lot of people view without being in a position to proceed

Bananamilk_2

Better_Days wrote: »

As a buyer I don't like them much because as others have said if I am thinking of spending many thousands of pounds I would at least like the attention of the EA/Vendor when I view.

As a tenant I would hate it - all and sundry traipsing round and trying to keep an eye on them all (and my posessions) like trying to herd cats. Would be horrible if it was raining and everyone was coming in with wet shoes and coats. But you could ask your tenants what they think.

Fair enough, all good points. Thankyou.

Bananamilk_2

phoebe1989seb wrote: »

The EA believed - quite rightly as it turned out - that one set of viewers arriving as another set were leaving would create an increased level of interest and a determination to be the successful party

That's what I was hoping! Thanks.

Bananamilk_2

rickeeee wrote: »

I think it can be a good thing, it causes me no problems, after all a lot of people view without being in a position to proceed

Thanks Rickeeee. I would only want people viewing who had pre-registered with the EA, not just nosey passers-by on the day!

rickeeee

Also if I was interested and wanted a second viewing on a multi view property, I would make sure that this was given on a one to one basis.