Viewings No NO?

Old_Git

hide your sex toys :eek::eek::rotfl:

Winter_Phoenix

Have a clear idea of what you are going to say to potential buyers about each room - "These built-in cupboards are so useful, they take an amazing amount of stuff," "The nice thing about this room is that you can arrange the furniture in so many different ways to suit your lifestyle," "As you can see, both bedrooms will take a kingsized bed easily."

And make sure that what you say appeals to the widest audience possible. So, "There are wonderful views from the windows, you'd almost think you are in the countryside ... but it's so convenient for the city, just a ten-minute bus ride from the centre." And, "The neighbours are really kind and friendly, lovely people ... but they're not the sort who would ever intrude when you want time to yourself, they respect your privacy." Or, "It's just the right size for a couple, or a family, easy to take care of, with nice low heating bills ... or it would be great for a single person, with space for friends to stay, and lots of room to party."

Be prepared to be asked why you are leaving, and make sure you don't say anything which could be heard as criticism of your present home - say, "I'm moving in with my boyfriend," rather than, "My boyfriend and I want to move in together, and his place is much bigger and has a garden."

Good luck!

kinger101

Winter_Phoenix wrote: »

Have a clear idea of what you are going to say to potential buyers about each room - "These built-in cupboards are so useful, they take an amazing amount of stuff," "The nice thing about this room is that you can arrange the furniture in so many different ways to suit your lifestyle," "As you can see, both bedrooms will take a kingsized bed easily."

And make sure that what you say appeals to the widest audience possible. So, "There are wonderful views from the windows, you'd almost think you are in the countryside ... but it's so convenient for the city, just a ten-minute bus ride from the centre." And, "The neighbours are really kind and friendly, lovely people ... but they're not the sort who would ever intrude when you want time to yourself, they respect your privacy." Or, "It's just the right size for a couple, or a family, easy to take care of, with nice low heating bills ... or it would be great for a single person, with space for friends to stay, and lots of room to party."


Good luck!

I wouldn't go overboard with this. I'd probably walk out half way thought the viewing, suspecting the seller was a complete bullsh1tter.

mynameisclare

We only saw once house where the vendors showed us round rather than an agent, and we found it very awkward - we didn't really feel able to properly look round as they were hovering over us. So I'd say leave viewers to have a little look round on their own. Oh, and don't spend the whole time going on about how much money you've spent on the house!

lessonlearned

Winter_Phoenix wrote: »

Have a clear idea of what you are going to say to potential buyers about each room - "These built-in cupboards are so useful, they take an amazing amount of stuff," "The nice thing about this room is that you can arrange the furniture in so many different ways to suit your lifestyle," "As you can see, both bedrooms will take a kingsized bed easily."

And make sure that what you say appeals to the widest audience possible. So, "There are wonderful views from the windows, you'd almost think you are in the countryside ... but it's so convenient for the city, just a ten-minute bus ride from the centre." And, "The neighbours are really kind and friendly, lovely people ... but they're not the sort who would ever intrude when you want time to yourself, they respect your privacy." Or, "It's just the right size for a couple, or a family, easy to take care of, with nice low heating bills ... or it would be great for a single person, with space for friends to stay, and lots of room to party."

Be prepared to be asked why you are leaving, and make sure you don't say anything which could be heard as criticism of your present home - say, "I'm moving in with my boyfriend," rather than, "My boyfriend and I want to move in together, and his place is much bigger and has a garden."

Good luck!

Absolutely wrong.

I have over 30 years experience selling houses.

An effective sales person does not do all the talking, they ask a few pertinent questions and then they shut up.

No one likes being talked at or having to listen to a monologue.

Let your viewers do the talking, the questions they ask will be your guide.

Know your stuff, history of the house, running costs, when the boiler was serviced etc. Have any proof to hand should they want to check.

Know about schools, shops, bus routes, local amenities etc but don't ram information down their throats - just make sure you can answer their questions.

If you don't know the answer don't try and fudge or bluff, tell them you will find out and let them know.

Dress nicely, smile and be friendly but not overbearing. Switch the TV off.

Be yourself.

Do not ever have a pre-prepared and rehearsed script. It will just sound slick and fake.

Good luck.

onetwothreefourfive

Winter_Phoenix wrote: »

Have a clear idea of what you are going to say to potential buyers about each room - "These built-in cupboards are so useful, they take an amazing amount of stuff," "The nice thing about this room is that you can arrange the furniture in so many different ways to suit your lifestyle," "As you can see, both bedrooms will take a kingsized bed easily."

And make sure that what you say appeals to the widest audience possible. So, "There are wonderful views from the windows, you'd almost think you are in the countryside ... but it's so convenient for the city, just a ten-minute bus ride from the centre." And, "The neighbours are really kind and friendly, lovely people ... but they're not the sort who would ever intrude when you want time to yourself, they respect your privacy." Or, "It's just the right size for a couple, or a family, easy to take care of, with nice low heating bills ... or it would be great for a single person, with space for friends to stay, and lots of room to party."

Be prepared to be asked why you are leaving, and make sure you don't say anything which could be heard as criticism of your present home - say, "I'm moving in with my boyfriend," rather than, "My boyfriend and I want to move in together, and his place is much bigger and has a garden."

Good luck!

I think you are better just letting people look around, and then answering their questions honestly if they have any, without emphasizing anything negative. People will see through speeches and nonsense about the countryside unless you are sincere.

I think having it clean and tidy is the main thing. Maybe airing it a bit too, and perhaps not cooking something like really strong curry just before people come round.

Also I am currently trying to buy a flat and of the 5 I viewed, I ruled 3 out on the basis of the condition of the stair before I even reached the flat - so maybe making sure that communal areas are clean if it's an issue where you live.

(also make sure the furniture is the right way up - one of the flats I viewed had a upside down sofa, table, and a sideways mattress as the total amount of furniture on display :rotfl: I don't think it helped give a good impression of the flat's potential)

hazyjo

Agree, don't go overboard.


I found it useful to see what else was on the market in their bracket to have an idea about what you're up against.


If yours has a major plus over the other, yes, spell that out. I have had a few conversations (not me telling them) about houses. If they asked about parking now, I would say something like 'I've only once had to park round the corner when there was a birthday do going on up the road and they had loads of visitors. Because you've got the bungalows opposite, and them & everyone at this end to the right of us have their own driveways and/or garages, we do 99% of the time get to park outside our own house. I remember in my old house in Highams Park, it was hell and such a major consideration for me when buying this. You'd have the space on a weekend, but if you got home after 8pm, no chance! I'd be parking 3 streets away...'.


Keep it chatty and natural!


Jx

Emmylou_2

Make sure I can open the airing cupboard without being landed on by half your linen supplies/cuddly toys/ironing board.

Shiny sink in kitchen (just makes the whole lot look cleaner) and clean light switches.

Don't hide stuff in a built in oven (I will open it to see how big it is and I don't want to see your teenage son's dirty pants) or over-stuff kitchen drawers so I can't open them properly.

Things I don't mind:

Pet food bowls etc (as long as they're in a sensible place ie on a mat in the kitchen rather than the middle of the living room)

Kids toys (within reason - I get that kids live there too)

Things that make me go "hmmm what are they hiding"

Scented candles in every room
Bread baking/freshly ground coffee
Open windows in late November/December

ReadingTim

car0line123 wrote: »

I am putting my flat on the market this week, but don't really trust AE and their (lack of) feedback.

If you really don't trust the EA, why are you instructing them to sell your house?!? Can't you find one your trust...?

(ok, maybe not trust, but perhaps distrust the least...)

Loopy28

The things that have put me off the most when viewing houses has been

Damp smells e.g from the bathroom or an old leak somewhere

Dog smells

Dirty windows and carpets, mould around bath (hasn't been a deal breaker as I know it can be fixed but doesn't give a good first impression)

Dirtiness, needs for repair etc as makes me feel the person hasn't looked after the property and there may be deeper issues lurking