Cold calling viewers....

depressed_but_determined

I was on my way out to a night out last night when I was flagged down by a couple outside my flat. They had a viewed a property round the corner and wondered if they could come in and view. Ill be honest the timing wasn't great, my friend had just arrived to pick me up but I didn't want to turn down any prospective buyers.

This morning I am feeling mortified, I am female so obviously I was getting ready and there was make up/hair straighteners/clothes in my bedroom which I swiftly shoved in a cupboard, the bathroom was still all wet form being used and there was dishes on the strainer and a half drank glass of wine on the table.

I kinda wish I had asked them to come back as I've never showed the flat like that and it's made me feel pretty crap today.
Will they realise that they arrived unannounced and I really am not a slob.
I work shifts as a firefighter so I tend to tidy as I go but sometimes it's obviously lived in.
Just looking for any thoughts from buyers/sellers as to how you would judge it. They had came from quite far so i didn't want to ask them to rearrange but in future I might.
Cheers

hazyjo

The EAs hate it when you do that, but it is unfortunately quite common. I've had it done to me and did feel horrible, but I wasn't on my own, and they did go on to buy it.


You need to pre-rehearse something. It's when you're caught off guard that you end up saying yes - just say something like you have visitors, or you're going out, or that the EA has told you not to, and that they need to book via the EA. Keep it smiley.


Good luck!


Jx

Bogof_Babe

I'd just say "I'm sorry, it's not really convenient right now, but could you come back (e.g.) tomorrow/at the weekend" etc.

We showed our first house to spot callers, and they did buy it, so maybe a spontaneous viewer is at least a genuine one!

westv

This happened to me once. It was the chap across the road. The place was totally unready but I agreed.
His brother bought it.

dc197

This happened to me. Some random turned up and said they'd seen the house online, and asked if could they view it now.
I said that they must go through the agent. It was pretty easy to say that.
They never had their viewing in the end.

6feet

I was discussing selling our house on the school run and a lady said, "hey, Jen, aren't you looking to buy a 3 bed here?"

The lady came straight to my house, looked around and said, "can my husband and I come back to see it tonight at 7pm after work?"

The estate agent came to sign me up as she was leaving the impulse viewing.

I said, "sorry Paul, I don't think I need you anymore, I think I just sold my house, myself."

You should have seen his face as the commission drained from his eyes.

I would never turn someone away that wants to view...

venna

We had a couple just turn up (no contact with EA) who complained to hubby they'd had difficulty finding us!
We let them in to see house, in chaos, and never heard from them again. Later told friends about it and was warned not to let anyone in unannounced as sometimes it can be thieves seeing if its worth burgling. Don't know if there is any truth to this.

motherofstudents

Years ago a neighbour knocked on the door to ask if her friend could view. My husband said yes. It was a Sunday and I knew we wouldn't have any viewings so I had decided to de-clutter.....on top of that I had dirty washing in piles on the floor sorted into whites, very dirty football kits, normal dirty including the dog bedding, all in readiness for any possible viewings during the week. We nearly came to blows over that one and no, they didn't buy it.

SuzieSue

depressed_but_determined wrote: »

This morning I am feeling mortified, I am female so obviously I was getting ready and there was make up/hair straighteners/clothes in my bedroom which I swiftly shoved in a cupboard, the bathroom was still all wet form being used and there was dishes on the strainer and a half drank glass of wine on the table.


Cheers

Why on earth are you mortified about any of that? Your house seems very tidy compared to mine. I think you are very house proud so what would be normal to most people is not to you.

depressed_but_determined

I'm definitely not house proud but I like to show my flat in the best light. Doesn't everyone?

SuzieSue

depressed_but_determined wrote: »

I'm definitely not house proud but I like to show my flat in the best light. Doesn't everyone?

Yes, but they know that they put you on the spot. If they can't see that you weren't given the chance to tidy up then they are stupid and you don't want buyers like that.