Volunteered to do the Viewings

thriftytracey

Well, on the first viewing I accompanied the couple viewing.  I felt very awkward and I think they felt awkward too and they weren't here long.  With the second and third viewing I told them they were welcome to look round on their own and I would be in the garden if they had any questions.  Both sets of viewers seemed surprised and pleased with this.  They stayed a lot longer looking around and the the last lot an hour chatting with me.  I don't think they will offer (they have been looking since November (!) so perhaps they will never find what they want) but we found we had a lot in common and there seemed quite a rapport.

I definitely think that to leave them to get on with it worked the best for all concerned.

The EA haven't contacted me with any more viewings I think they are putting people off as there have been a couple of offers from the first time viewers.  Ha ha just when I was getting into my stride ....

[Deleted User]

As a buyer, I have had viewings with both the EA and the seller. They are pretty much on a par, with the added bonus that I could ask the seller directly any questions and felt he was more honest with me than the EA who has the usual sale's patter. It might be nerve wracking, but you're just facilitating, the house will speak for itself. Good luck!

Wkmg

Just tell them the basics then leave them alone.

badger09

We conducted all our viewings in August last year. Basically, I took people upstairs, stood on landing, explained layout of bedrooms/bathrooms but didn't go in with them, apart from master bedroom which was huge & had lovely views with some quirky features. Then downstairs, where rooms were more than big enough to socially distance easily. Then husband showed garden, pond & swimming pool (don't ask  -  we didn't install it) as that was more his domain. 

Then I offered that they wander round on their own, and ask any questions they wanted. It worked fine. Like OP, I have a tendency to chat, but kept it zipped unless asked. We didn't try any hard sell, were totally honest about reasons for moving - advancing years & wanting less outside maintenance, but we'd loved living there for 20 years & all most of our viewers gave feedback to that effect.

Tip: save the best aspect of your home until last! 

saajan_12

thriftytracey said:

Our buyer has withdrawn because we haven't found anywhere yet.  It's been six weeks and in the location we want to move to properties have just dried up. - will this not happen again? If you seriously want to move, then perhaps break the chain - sell, rent, then buy. 

The EA contacted two buyers from the first lot who made offers originally and two of them have restated their offers, considerably lower than the first buyers.  - how do they compare to other comparable sales that did go through? The stamp duty and general market cooling might mean you can't get back to your first buyer's level. The key is are you happy with the offers actually on the table and can you get more / less from the open market? 
I got the impression the EA did not want to conduct more viewings as it takes up a whole day.  I said we would discuss it. - well they knew that when signing the contract with you surely? If they no longer want to sell the property and if you don't want unmotivated agents, then perhaps you can agree to go your own ways and start afresh with a new agent?

Last night we were then contacted by someone we know whose friends saw the property on RM and "desperate" to view and contacted the EA who said there had been offers and gave the impression no more viewings.  I called the EA today and said we could do the viewings if necessary.  They immediately agreed and are going to contact other interested parties for possible viewings at the weekend. 

I feel a bit nervous doing the viewings only because it doesn't seem to be the norm and it has been 25 years since we last moved.  - entirely up to you whether you do your own viewings or ask the EA to do their job. Its really personal preference re what you would prefer and what viewers would prefer, so there's no 'right' answer. 
Obviously usual Covid precautions will be followed.

Anyone else doing this?  Our EA is not Purple Bricks or similar but a local High Street firm charging the usual fee.

We thought it best just one of us conduct the viewings.  Should I let them look around themselves or accompany them from room to room?

The EA vs owner led viewings is a debate to nowhere.. there'll be lots of opinions based on who can answer questions, who will make the viewing more awkward, who will look more professional, etc etc, but no right answers, so its up to you. 

There's really 2 more pertinent things to consider
1) If you do prefer the EA to hold viewings, then ask them to fulfill their contract. If they decline, then discuss whether they'd rather tear up the contract. Its not ideal having unmotivated agents. 

2) If its difficult finding an onward purchase, why do you think that'll change? You'll just stress yourselves and your buyers out, incur solicitors costs until each buyer pulls out and let your property languish on the market. Instead, if you're serious about moving, then it might be worth breaking the chain, by selling, moving into rented in the new area, and then buying at your leisure. That way you can also scope out the new area and be more attractive when a new property does pop up. 

thriftytracey

saajan_12 said:

thriftytracey said:

Our buyer has withdrawn because we haven't found anywhere yet.  It's been six weeks and in the location we want to move to properties have just dried up. - will this not happen again? If you seriously want to move, then perhaps break the chain - sell, rent, then buy. 

The EA contacted two buyers from the first lot who made offers originally and two of them have restated their offers, considerably lower than the first buyers.  - how do they compare to other comparable sales that did go through? The stamp duty and general market cooling might mean you can't get back to your first buyer's level. The key is are you happy with the offers actually on the table and can you get more / less from the open market? 
I got the impression the EA did not want to conduct more viewings as it takes up a whole day.  I said we would discuss it. - well they knew that when signing the contract with you surely? If they no longer want to sell the property and if you don't want unmotivated agents, then perhaps you can agree to go your own ways and start afresh with a new agent?

Last night we were then contacted by someone we know whose friends saw the property on RM and "desperate" to view and contacted the EA who said there had been offers and gave the impression no more viewings.  I called the EA today and said we could do the viewings if necessary.  They immediately agreed and are going to contact other interested parties for possible viewings at the weekend. 

I feel a bit nervous doing the viewings only because it doesn't seem to be the norm and it has been 25 years since we last moved.  - entirely up to you whether you do your own viewings or ask the EA to do their job. Its really personal preference re what you would prefer and what viewers would prefer, so there's no 'right' answer. 
Obviously usual Covid precautions will be followed.

Anyone else doing this?  Our EA is not Purple Bricks or similar but a local High Street firm charging the usual fee.

We thought it best just one of us conduct the viewings.  Should I let them look around themselves or accompany them from room to room?

The EA vs owner led viewings is a debate to nowhere.. there'll be lots of opinions based on who can answer questions, who will make the viewing more awkward, who will look more professional, etc etc, but no right answers, so its up to you. 

There's really 2 more pertinent things to consider
1) If you do prefer the EA to hold viewings, then ask them to fulfill their contract. If they decline, then discuss whether they'd rather tear up the contract. Its not ideal having unmotivated agents. 

2) If its difficult finding an onward purchase, why do you think that'll change? You'll just stress yourselves and your buyers out, incur solicitors costs until each buyer pulls out and let your property languish on the market. Instead, if you're serious about moving, then it might be worth breaking the chain, by selling, moving into rented in the new area, and then buying at your leisure. That way you can also scope out the new area and be more attractive when a new property does pop up. 

We have accepted the offer which is not that much under the original offer.  

We do not want to go into rented, we are in our 60's and have two dogs and a cat.  

We haven't incurred any solicitor's costs other than give them a payment towards searches (and no searches have been done).

I am sure it is difficult to find an onward purchase for many, many people at the moment.  I don't think that is a reason to give up yet.  If everyone did that after six weeks then the housing market would grind to a halt.

okigen

I would love to do viewings with the owner rather than the EA! Most of the time I find the EA not much more useful than a key dispenser, and only answers most questions with "I need to check with the owner about that!". Especially these days they are so busy that they don't seem that even interested in selling the property to you at all (I can't count the number of times where the main EA was absent, so a replacement was sent in who knew absolutely nothing).

Downside with owner viewing is that you aren't a professional salesperson, so you don't know how to pitch the property.  The worst one I had was when the owner just opened the door for you and let you wander around on your own in silence. That was a bit awkward. So definitely practice a room to room walk in advance (but make sure you don't move the buyer around the property too quickly as they may need some time to themselves to inspect the details, take photo etc). Also remember to smile. The buyer will be quite discouraged if you don't look like you are interested in this property yourself.

Scotbot

thriftytracey said:

saajan_12 said:

thriftytracey said:

Our buyer has withdrawn because we haven't found anywhere yet.  It's been six weeks and in the location we want to move to properties have just dried up. - will this not happen again? If you seriously want to move, then perhaps break the chain - sell, rent, then buy. 

The EA contacted two buyers from the first lot who made offers originally and two of them have restated their offers, considerably lower than the first buyers.  - how do they compare to other comparable sales that did go through? The stamp duty and general market cooling might mean you can't get back to your first buyer's level. The key is are you happy with the offers actually on the table and can you get more / less from the open market? 
I got the impression the EA did not want to conduct more viewings as it takes up a whole day.  I said we would discuss it. - well they knew that when signing the contract with you surely? If they no longer want to sell the property and if you don't want unmotivated agents, then perhaps you can agree to go your own ways and start afresh with a new agent?

Last night we were then contacted by someone we know whose friends saw the property on RM and "desperate" to view and contacted the EA who said there had been offers and gave the impression no more viewings.  I called the EA today and said we could do the viewings if necessary.  They immediately agreed and are going to contact other interested parties for possible viewings at the weekend. 

I feel a bit nervous doing the viewings only because it doesn't seem to be the norm and it has been 25 years since we last moved.  - entirely up to you whether you do your own viewings or ask the EA to do their job. Its really personal preference re what you would prefer and what viewers would prefer, so there's no 'right' answer. 
Obviously usual Covid precautions will be followed.

Anyone else doing this?  Our EA is not Purple Bricks or similar but a local High Street firm charging the usual fee.

We thought it best just one of us conduct the viewings.  Should I let them look around themselves or accompany them from room to room?

The EA vs owner led viewings is a debate to nowhere.. there'll be lots of opinions based on who can answer questions, who will make the viewing more awkward, who will look more professional, etc etc, but no right answers, so its up to you. 

There's really 2 more pertinent things to consider
1) If you do prefer the EA to hold viewings, then ask them to fulfill their contract. If they decline, then discuss whether they'd rather tear up the contract. Its not ideal having unmotivated agents. 

2) If its difficult finding an onward purchase, why do you think that'll change? You'll just stress yourselves and your buyers out, incur solicitors costs until each buyer pulls out and let your property languish on the market. Instead, if you're serious about moving, then it might be worth breaking the chain, by selling, moving into rented in the new area, and then buying at your leisure. That way you can also scope out the new area and be more attractive when a new property does pop up. 

I am sure it is difficult to find an onward purchase for many, many people at the moment.  I don't think that is a reason to give up yet.  If everyone did that after six weeks then the housing market would grind to a halt.

I think this is a big reason for lack of supply which is causing the market to stutter somewhat