Volunteered to do the Viewings

lzzwzz

As a recent buyer, I viewed more properties with the owner present than with an EA showing me round.
As most people have said, the usual practice was to give a brief tour and then let me wander around on my own. The only time it was awkward was viewing the room they were sat waiting in, or if the door to the garden or garage was locked and I had to come back in and ask for a key.

I found it much, much better having the owner present to answer questions about neighbours, boiler servicing, times when the garden is sunny, and generally to have a chat and make a friendly impression incase I wanted to make an offer.

thriftytracey

Thank you for all the helpful advice.  I will suggest they can look round again if they need to, and for them to go into the room first.  Great suggestions.  I do have a tendency to blurt out without thinking (nervousness) so I will rein that in.

Also my husband is going to go out as we don't want to crowd them LOL.

I don't feel the EA is being as proactive as the first time round and just contacting me with RM interest.  

Irishpearce26

I don't see a problem as I've viewed a house where the vendor showed us around but my advice would be to not say too much and let them view at their pace. The owner was constantly over my shoulder pointing things out, explaining why they added certain items and what work they had done in the house. It was so distracting and anytime i asked an honest question it was really awkward as they didn't really want to answer.

Jaybee_16

When selling my flat last year I let the EA do the viewings because I talk too much! I did a few of them and realised that viewings were taking ages because of me.
The property I bought, being rural, apparently it's the norm for vendors to deal with viewings. To help decide. the EA was charging the vendor 1.25% if the vendor did the viewing, 1.5% if the EA conducted them.  

Mickygg

I much prefer to be shown round by the EA. Mainly because I can be more honest as to how I feel about the property. I'm also more relaxed and can look at every nook and cranny without having owners staring.

I definitely dont do viewings myself.  That's what I pay the EA to do. Having said that I may change that approach for my current property if I can get a lower fee as it will sell itself. 

Scotbot

Be prepared to allow photos. Everyone has a camera nowadays and with limited time to view it is a great way for the buyer to record the viewing and look at things after they have left. This may mean you want to hide certain items like photos out of the way.

AnotherJoe

RJM90 said:

I’d be a little concerned at how little the EA seems to be prioritising you considering you’re paying them. I understand they must be so busy right now but still, you shouldn’t feel obliged to accept a smaller offer.

We sold our property using an estate agents called Strike (no cost to sell - they make money off up selling and recommending products). We did all our own viewings. Literally just showed people round and highlighted the main features and answered questions. I wouldn’t worry too much about doing it yourself - I’d go for it. 

If you’re not in a rush to sell I’d even consider looking at someone like Strike and restart the process - that way you can show them round and not fork out however much the original EA would take.

^^^^ this. I would be reminding them of that.

jazzyja

I dont like EA viewings. They talk rubbish and it puts me off....like 1 property there was a hole in the ceiling and she saw me look at it and said "yes lots of exciting potential for DIY work" I thought wow. Just be quiet. Another walked in with us (vendor wasn't present) and said "oh wow this is the biggest house I've ever seen for such a small price"....that made me cringe and I can see right through it. Instant put off. The house I've (hopefully) purchased I was shown around by the vendors and they're such nice people and I felt that little bit better putting an offer in. Also I queried why it sold 6 months ago and now its back on the market and they told me about the other buyer not being accepted for a mortgage, as initially that was abit of a worry for me but being able to actually have a conversation about it was nice. Also got to ask about their relationship with neighbours etc and how they've found living there etc. I mean of course they could lie, but they seemed genuine people. Also got to ask about their house buying plans and how far along they are etc. Far better 

Davesnave

Jaybee_16 said:

The property I bought, being rural, apparently it's the norm for vendors to deal with viewings. To help decide. the EA was charging the vendor 1.25% if the vendor did the viewing, 1.5% if the EA conducted them.  

I've been on dozens of viewings where the property has acreage. An EA showing you around the land never happens!

Bonniepurple

I’ve done some of my own viewings, and had the estate agents do others.  Last time, the ones we sold to were ones we showed around.  This time round I’ve been working from home while the estate showed them around, and then they came in to ask questions.  Much easier.