Lots of viewings but no 2nd viewings - what can I do?

kate5555

TripleH said:

Are you present for viewings? 
If you are not, it may well be worth preparing a 1 page leaflet listing all the wonderful points about your house eg. loft, regularly serviced boiler, windows only 2 years old and so on.
When we sold, we had numerous viewings butvthe onky offerscwe had were when my wife was there and told those viewing about all the little features not on the 'particulars?' 
Don't rely on the estate agent to know much about the house these days.

I am present for the viewings but definitely haven't been "selling" the house which I now realise may be a big factor in not getting 2nd viewings. Because of the covid-19 restrictions, I've found it awkward trying to keep a physical distance during viewings and keeping a dialogue while wearing masks, so I've been mainly leaving the viewers to look round themselves and ask me if they have any questions, but have found very few people are actually asking anything. I sort of thought if people were interested they would ask questions and also prefer to look around themselves so they can discuss freely with partner etc. I would point out a few things, such as west facing garden and floored attic space but not that much. Sounds like I need to make a bit more effort selling the house instead of expecting it to sell itself! I've got another viewing this evening so will try and get a bit more dialogue going.

RelievedSheff

We found when we were showing people around our last house that it worked well walking around with the potential buyers and pointing out the plus points of the house. We also asked them if they knew the area or had ties to the area and general questions to try and help them but also to gauge their interest in the house.

After we had shown them around we would then leave them to have another wander around on their own if they wanted too while we went into the garden.

getmore4less

kate5555 said:

getmore4less said:

If you are moving in 3 weeks you should have decluttered and started packing stuff up with just essentials out. 

I agree in theory but it's easier said than done! However the number of comments re clutter has made me realise maybe it is a bigger deal than I thought. I am generally quite an untidy person so while it wouldn't put me off at all it could be to others. I'll make a big effort this weekend to make the house more presentable as a first step before thinking about bigger improvements.

A lot harder to make a mess when you have got rid of everything you are not taking and boxed up most of the stuff you are taking that are not essentials for living for 3 weeks. 

getmore4less

kate5555 said:

AdrianC said:

kate5555 said:

I also asked a property developer friend to have a look at the advert and they suggested a long list of things to improve...

But they've not been round to see it "as if viewing"? Your ad is clearly working, because you're getting them in.

No she hasn't been to see it although has visited in the past socially. Her suggestions included "blinging up" the bathroom (too clinical apparently), replacing the front door, resealing front drive, replacing cooker and kitchen worktops...I would be happy to do these things myself if I was planning to keep the house for some time but I'm not convinced it is worth doing them to sell, which is why I'd consider that as a last resort if the house stays on the market for another few months.

Likes spending other people's money...

If you wanted to develop this property since you bought it they would have been done by now. 

TripleH

kate5555 said:
I am present for the viewings but definitely haven't been "selling" the house which I now realise may be a big factor in not getting 2nd viewings. Because of the covid-19 restrictions, I've found it awkward trying to keep a physical distance during viewings and keeping a dialogue while wearing masks, so I've been mainly leaving the viewers to look round themselves and ask me if they have any questions, but have found very few people are actually asking anything. I sort of thought if people were interested they would ask questions and also prefer to look around themselves so they can discuss freely with partner etc. I would point out a few things, such as west facing garden and floored attic space but not that much. Sounds like I need to make a bit more effort selling the house instead of expecting it to sell itself! I've got another viewing this evening so will try and get a bit more dialogue going.

I think an A4 printed sheet (if you have a printer) listing the positives of the property that are not visibly obvious from an inspection or the literature provided is useful.
It's what makes life easier for your viewers and to ensure your property is still in their mind an hour after they view. Plus if no-one tells them its there people may not assume it is.
It might be property A looks nice but property B comes with x, y and z so we'll go for B even though property A had w,x,y and z but those viewing didn't think to ask.

kate5555

TripleH said:

kate5555 said:
I am present for the viewings but definitely haven't been "selling" the house which I now realise may be a big factor in not getting 2nd viewings. Because of the covid-19 restrictions, I've found it awkward trying to keep a physical distance during viewings and keeping a dialogue while wearing masks, so I've been mainly leaving the viewers to look round themselves and ask me if they have any questions, but have found very few people are actually asking anything. I sort of thought if people were interested they would ask questions and also prefer to look around themselves so they can discuss freely with partner etc. I would point out a few things, such as west facing garden and floored attic space but not that much. Sounds like I need to make a bit more effort selling the house instead of expecting it to sell itself! I've got another viewing this evening so will try and get a bit more dialogue going.

I think an A4 printed sheet (if you have a printer) listing the positives of the property that are not visibly obvious from an inspection or the literature provided is useful.
It's what makes life easier for your viewers and to ensure your property is still in their mind an hour after they view. Plus if no-one tells them its there people may not assume it is.
It might be property A looks nice but property B comes with x, y and z so we'll go for B even though property A had w,x,y and z but those viewing didn't think to ask.

Thank you, that's a really good idea. I've changed my mind and I'm going to stick to doing viewings myself while we are still living in the house, but the printed information will still be useful now, and even more so if I need the agent to do viewings once we have moved out. 

Some really helpful advice here, I wish I had asked weeks ago!

Crashy_Time

kate5555 said:

Crashy_Time said:

getmore4less said:

this one 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5410297/should-i-overpay-or-withdraw-from-sale/p1

You need a good hard look at what is selling.

What is selling?

Houses were definitely selling (last year) but there is no shortage of similar properties either. In the last year, within 1/4 mile of mine, similar age 3 bed semis have sold between £100k and £132k and 2 bed semis between £80k and £120k. There's a real mix between the houses, some might be in a bit better decorative order than mine but have a smaller garden or no conservatory for example. 

3 bed, semi-detached £100,500 20 Dec 2019

3 bed, semi-detached £132,500 22 Nov 2019

3 bed, semi-detached £125,000 18 Nov 2019

3 bed, semi-detached £110,000 9 Aug 2019

3 bed, semi-detached £103,000 28 Jun 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £120,000 11 Nov 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £110,000 11 Oct 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £122,500 27 Sep 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £105,000 26 Jul 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £119,950 31 May 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £110,000 10 May 2019

2 bed, semi-detached £80,000 7 May 2019

Sure, but even December `19 is an economic world away from where we are now?

Scotbot

If it hasn't sold after you move out get the carpets steam cleaned to help remove the Eau de Dog.My agent was frank with me that he could smell my dog (I couldn't ) and I had no carpets downstairs. After the upstair carpets were cleaned I bought lilies every week to scernt the place.

carquery98765

While viewing, I would not like a dog present. Is your agent telling buyers that a dog is at the property. Also better for the agents to do the viewing. Ask agent to consolidate the viewings, show the buyers and you guys can be out. 17 viewers, they could hv defintely done that.

Crashy_Time

Dog running around is a very bad idea IMO.