Breaking Property News 18/09/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.

 

Ways Estate Agents can stop wasting time on viewings

Following recent analysis, MadeSnappy 360 has found that time-poor agencies often struggle in a fast moving property marketplace. Estate agents and lettings agents often find themselves bogged down by the time-consuming task of conducting viewings for buyers or prospective tenants who aren’t serious or ready to make a decision. This not only wastes valuable time but also detracts from focusing on more promising prospects.

In 2024, the average number of viewings to agree a sale is 17, with 50% of these viewings taking place in the first fortnight of listing. This means that an average agency, just on the residential sales side does over a thousand viewings a year. Add to this viewings for a lettings department and you are getting to a large number of viewings and time expended.

So, how can agents streamline their efforts and minimise time wasted on unproductive viewings? Here are a few steps to consider:

Pre-Qualify Buyers Early On

One of the most effective ways to cut down on unnecessary viewings is to pre-qualify clients. This involves understanding their financial situation and their seriousness about purchasing before scheduling a viewing. A simple pre-viewing conversation or questionnaire can provide insights into their purchasing position, such as if they have a mortgage in principle or are in a position to buy immediately.

Utilise Virtual Tours for Pre-Screening

Another powerful tool agents can use is virtual tours. Virtual tours allow potential buyers to explore properties in detail from the comfort of their homes, without needing to attend an in-person viewing. This technology can act as a pre-screening mechanism, giving buyers the chance to see if the property genuinely meets their requirements. If they are still interested after a virtual tour, it’s a strong indication that an in-person viewing will be worthwhile.

Prioritise Serious Buyers or Tenants

Agents should prioritise their time on serious buyers, or tenants, especially in a competitive market. By focusing on buyers who have already gone through financial vetting and shown a clear interest in purchasing, agents can ensure that their time is spent effectively.

Use Targeted Marketing to Attract the Right Buyers or Tenants

Ensuring the property is marketed to the right audience is crucial. Using detailed descriptions, floor plans, and high-quality images can help attract serious buyers and tenants. Adding a virtual tour to the listing can further qualify interest, as potential buyers will already have a thorough understanding of the property before reaching out for a viewing.

Conclusion: Virtual Tours Save Time and Increase Efficiency

Virtual tours stand out as one of the best tools to reduce time wasted on viewings. By offering buyers the chance to explore properties online, agents can significantly reduce the number of unproductive viewings and focus their attention on serious buyers and tenants. In today’s digital age, virtual tours are no longer a luxury but an essential tool for any estate agent looking to work smarter, not harder.

There are companies in the UK, such as Made Snappy 360, that offer an all-in-one listing solution for estate agents. These services provide the ability to create virtual tours, floor plans, and high-quality photography without requiring agents to make significant investments in marketing. By using affordable, user-friendly technology, agents can enhance their listings and attract serious buyers while saving time and resources.

 

Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s Weekly Mortgage Tracker – 18/09/25

Average rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Average rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 4.54% +0.02% -0.44% 5-year fixed 4.56% +0.01% -0.05%   Lowest rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Lowest rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 3.75% +0.00% -0.24% 5-year fixed 3.89% +0.00% +0.12%   Average…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Slowdown in planning applications and decisions

Property lawyer says “The government have had a year to make improvements to house building and have not made any progress.” Housing Secretary Steve Reed has announced a “building acceleration package” to speed up house building in England after new figures revealed a slowdown in planning applications and decisions. David Smith, property litigation partner at…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England’s holds interest rates at 4%

With the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates at 4%, here are some thoughts from the Industry.   Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert: “A Base Rate hold today had looked fairly nailed on, especially after yesterday’s news that inflation remains stuck at 3.8%. The later-than-usual Budget is very much on the horizon, and…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 18/09/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Exodus of Landlords – means lower supply and increased rents’ MPs have taken the Renters’ Rights Bill a major step closer to Royal Assent, confirming the scrapping of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and the end of fixed-term tenancies, which will now convert into open-ended…
Read More
Breaking News

Energy Rules Without Power: Tenants and Landlords Both Question EPC Impact

New research from LRG reveals that both landlords and tenants are struggling to engage with the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system, raising serious questions about whether it can deliver on its intended goals ahead of the government’s 2030 targets. While landlords overwhelmingly support the principle of improving energy efficiency, confidence in the system designed to…
Read More
New Builds 2020
Breaking News

New Build Home Enquiries Double in Summer 2025 

From June to August 2025, Compare My Move’s conveyancing data shows a 120% increase in new build home purchase enquiries compared to the same period in 2024.  This surge reflects not only more people looking to buy homes overall but also a higher share of buyers choosing new builds. On average, 12% of purchase enquiries in…
Read More