Showing Potential Buyers Around

Natbag

Hi MSE'ers!
My property is for sale and I've been tasked with showing around some potential buyers.
I tend to blurb too much and end up sounding negative or apologetic. I prepared, did well and sold the property on the first viewing before, but that sale fell through and I didn't do too great on the last viewing. I'm scared I'll sound desperate, as we are at risk of losing the new house we want if we don't line up new buyers soon.
It has been suggested that I could ask the viewers if they'd prefer showing round (in which case I would simply guide them round but stand back and not say too much, just wait for comments and questions) or if they'd rather wander round by themselves and I'll be on hand to answer any questions after.
Any advice please, from experienced sellers & buyers?

catshark88

Get an estate agent to show people round. It is much easier to look at a house thoroughly and consider things properly, when you're not trying to be polite to the owner and compliment their (possibly horrible) interior design!

Natbag

We've agreed to share the viewings, and this one is down to me as the agent can't work with the viewer's availability. I think I will ask them to do the next one though if this person doesn't buy, and see what happens then.

hazyjo

My OH is the same. Every time said he'd keep quiet and EVERY TIME started going on about something negative (me with my mouth on the floor, or desperately trying to change the conversation or flip the negative to a positive). Honestly, we nearly had a row after every viewing lol.


Get someone else to do it if the EA can't - or just busy yourself with something and ask them to shout if they need to know everything. I don't suppose people really need to have every room pointed out (stating the obvious) although it might be a bit weird to just let them in and get them to show themselves around... Maybe just take them for a quick scoot round then leave them to have a proper look on their own.

AndyTails

catshark88 wrote: »

Get an estate agent to show people round. It is much easier to look at a house thoroughly and consider things properly, when you're not trying to be polite to the owner and compliment their (possibly horrible) interior design!

Having viewed plenty of houses, I disagree. I am happy to be shown around a house by the agent. I am happy to be shown around a house by the vendor. I abhor being shown around the house by an agent when the vendor is there - that is awkward! In that situation the vendor is trying to avoid interacting with you, but you want to look at the room that they're in.


OP - The best way to do a viewing is to walk them round the rooms, point out anything you feel needs pointing out (e.g. "We bought this house because the 3rd bedroom was the biggest one we saw"), and then tell them "Feel free to wander about a bit yourselves, I'll be waiting in the lounge when you're done, or if you have any questions."


I feel giving the buyers some space is important. As a buyer I want to be able to discuss various aspects with my partner, and I might not be comfortable doing that in front of the vendor, or even the agent. This is important if, once I've told my partner about something I spotted, they want to go and see it themselves.

PasturesNew

The first thing I always did was ask them what they wanted the house for.... people move and buy houses for a gazillion reasons. No point you whittering on about "great schools" if they've no intention of having kids and want that house to do hobbies, or start a small cottage industry business of cake baking.

When they saw your house details they had something in mind, some reason it'd be good for their situation/what they wanted.... so you can keep the chat "relevant" to them.

Natbag

Thanks both. My husband will be taking the kids and dog out, so it will just me me which is much calmer!
I like the approach of casually guiding them around, not stating anything really obvious but bringing the room to life with a quick comment about why we enjoy it. Then I'll give them some time to look around on their own while I pop downstairs to make coffee and they can ask questions after. Does that sound ok?

Natbag

PasturesNew wrote: »

The first thing I always did was ask them what they wanted the house for.... people move and buy houses for a gazillion reasons. No point you whittering on about "great schools" if they've no intention of having kids and want that house to do hobbies, or start a small cottage industry business of cake baking.

When they saw your house details they had something in mind, some reason it'd be good for their situation/what they wanted.... so you can keep the chat "relevant" to them.

Good plan. I didn't do this the last two times, I think I was trying to not be nosey but it would be good to tailor the house to the individual better. I shouldn't be afraid to ask some questions too, I guess?

davidmcn

catshark88 wrote: »

It is much easier to look at a house thoroughly and consider things properly, when you're not trying to be polite to the owner and compliment their (possibly horrible) interior design!

Why would you even be commenting on their interior design?!

AndyTails wrote: »

OP - The best way to do a viewing is to walk them round the rooms, point out anything you feel needs pointing out (e.g. "We bought this house because the 3rd bedroom was the biggest one we saw"), and then tell them "Feel free to wander about a bit yourselves, I'll be waiting in the lounge when you're done, or if you have any questions."

Seconded. And I'd rather have the seller there than EA who knows next to nothing about the property/neighbours etc.

parkrunner

I'd ask the potential buyer if they wanted a guided tour or if they'd prefer to look around themselves and ask any questions afterwards.

hazyjo

Natbag wrote: »

Then I'll give them some time to look around on their own while I pop downstairs to make coffee and they can ask questions after. Does that sound ok?

I wouldn't make them coffee. If I remember, I'll ask if they want a drink (one couple cycled over), but I'd hate them to want a hot drink. It is soooooo awkward standing there blowing on a hot drink, desperate to down it, making chit-chat with someone who might not even want to be in your house.