House Viewing Question - Vendor

thriftytracey

eddddy said:

thriftytracey said:

Can I be cheeky and ask a related question?  A caravan is stored on our L shaped drive and we moved it on to the road for the agents photographs.  Should we move it for viewings?  It is a large caravan.  Will it put people off?

Well... maybe this is equally a question about the psychology of house dressing for selling...


For example, a house dresser might furnish a lounge with designer minimalist furniture, a large TV or home cinema set up, modernist art, interesting gadgets, etc because they believe that reflects the aspirations and lifestyle of their "typical target buyer". Maybe think about whether a caravan on the driveway reflects the aspirations and lifestyle of your typical target buyer.


And estate agents often talk about kerb appeal, and instant first impressions when people drive by before they even book a viewing.

Would you be giving the subconscious first impression that "this is a house for people who like to take caravanning holidays"? Would that have a positive impact or a negative impact on your "typical target buyer"?



Many people suggest that you should hide pets (and any trace of them) during viewings - because they're contentious. Some people love them, some people hate them. I think a caravan might elicit a similar subconscious reaction.


Personally, in your position, I would be tempted to find somewhere away from the house to store the caravan during the selling period. People who like caravans and want a space to store one, will see that space is available. People who don't like caravans won't be put off.


But maybe you think that's all a load of tosh.

Yes, there is an element of house dressing.  In our case we removed dog toys and beds and crate for the photographs along with tidying and removing items from kitchen worktops and computers from kitchen table etc. 

I have seen houses on Right Move where there has been no attempt to tidy the rooms for photographs.  It wouldn't stop me viewing the property if I was really interested though.

I wasn't aware that there was a judgement/prejudice about caravanning.  My reason for moving the caravan off the drive was to show what a large drive it is where 3/4 cars could park.  I wouldn't have thought that the hobby of caravanning would put people off viewing or offering on a property.  

I have certain prejudices myself but at the end of the day you are selling a house not an ongoing relationship with the former occupants.

RelievedSheff

Ashworks said:

moneysavinghero said:

If the caravan is left in the road people might think it belongs to one of the neighbours and be put off by it (even though actually it will be gone when you go), so maybe park it a couple of streets away or at least inform the viewers that it is yours and will be going with you.

I agree, I would leave it in place as it demonstrates the space available and will be obvious it's yours. Original OP - I think having one car in the garage and space for viewers to park on the drive is the way forward. It worked for us leaving one car on the drive to demonstrate the space and moving the other each time.

If there is no shortage of on street parking, why would you want the viewers to park on your drive.

They are coming to view the house for 15 minutes, not stay the night!!

cheeky-peach

I guess there's lots of things like this to factor - the decorating sometimes put people off but then others see it as just something to overlook as they will decorate themselves etc. I know we can't please everyone!
.

cheeky-peach

RelievedSheff said:

Ashworks said:

moneysavinghero said:

If the caravan is left in the road people might think it belongs to one of the neighbours and be put off by it (even though actually it will be gone when you go), so maybe park it a couple of streets away or at least inform the viewers that it is yours and will be going with you.

I agree, I would leave it in place as it demonstrates the space available and will be obvious it's yours. Original OP - I think having one car in the garage and space for viewers to park on the drive is the way forward. It worked for us leaving one car on the drive to demonstrate the space and moving the other each time.

If there is no shortage of on street parking, why would you want the viewers to park on your drive.

They are coming to view the house for 15 minutes, not stay the night!!

According to an estate agent we had to assess... "It gives buyers the feeling of 'coming home'."

missile

I would move them for viewings

Thrugelmir

Little point overthinking matters.  If the location and price isn't right. No amount of window dressing is going to change the appeal to potential purchasers. 

UnderOffer

I like photos with no cars on drive, but for viewings we had to leave one car on drive and take the other with us when leaving home for potential buyers to view. I thought that demonstrated that you can easily get 2 cars on drive and they were welcome to access garage via the side door. 

SpiderLegs

cheeky-peach said:

RelievedSheff said:

Ashworks said:

moneysavinghero said:

If the caravan is left in the road people might think it belongs to one of the neighbours and be put off by it (even though actually it will be gone when you go), so maybe park it a couple of streets away or at least inform the viewers that it is yours and will be going with you.

I agree, I would leave it in place as it demonstrates the space available and will be obvious it's yours. Original OP - I think having one car in the garage and space for viewers to park on the drive is the way forward. It worked for us leaving one car on the drive to demonstrate the space and moving the other each time.

If there is no shortage of on street parking, why would you want the viewers to park on your drive.

They are coming to view the house for 15 minutes, not stay the night!!

According to an estate agent we had to assess... "It gives buyers the feeling of 'coming home'."

Yes you should let them get a good feel for the place.

Generally when we view a property I like to run a bath while the wife takes a dump.

thriftytracey

SpiderLegs said:

cheeky-peach said:

RelievedSheff said:

Ashworks said:

moneysavinghero said:

If the caravan is left in the road people might think it belongs to one of the neighbours and be put off by it (even though actually it will be gone when you go), so maybe park it a couple of streets away or at least inform the viewers that it is yours and will be going with you.

I agree, I would leave it in place as it demonstrates the space available and will be obvious it's yours. Original OP - I think having one car in the garage and space for viewers to park on the drive is the way forward. It worked for us leaving one car on the drive to demonstrate the space and moving the other each time.

If there is no shortage of on street parking, why would you want the viewers to park on your drive.

They are coming to view the house for 15 minutes, not stay the night!!

According to an estate agent we had to assess... "It gives buyers the feeling of 'coming home'."

Yes you should let them get a good feel for the place.

Generally when we view a property I like to run a bath while the wife takes a dump.

LOL that made me giggle.  Perhaps cook an omelette to try out the cooker?  Reminder to self - seal toilet seats before viewings!

Slinky

We parked the cars up the road for our viewers, none of whom parked on the drive, but it showed it off as being large, lovely and clean. We'd had it washed and resanded as part of our prep for sale.

Our previous house, we also removed the car from the drive as it was a bit of a squeeze past a parked car to reach the front door and we didn't want to draw attention to that. Plus we filled the car with stuff we couldn't hide out of sight in the house!

I would leave the caravan providing it's not intruding into the main parking area, or blocking a pleasant view. I really wouldn't let a caravan on the drive colour my view of the vendors being PLU - People Like Us.