Make every viewing count.

Now it’s time for viewings!

You have chosen an agent to do the job and you are paying them a fee, I cannot stress this point enough – let the agent do the viewing.

A potential buyer feels more comfortable, able to ask any questions, talk about the neighbours, how busy the road is etc., when dealing with an agent rather than have the home owner lurking in the background or even worse following the viewing around, adding what they consider important information.

I don’t want to go on about candles, fresh flowers or even the smell of baked bread, important as they are, I feel they are a given and we want to give you more pertinent advice.

Unless your pet is incredibly well behaved, then farm them out to a neighbour for the viewing.  Boisterous, bouncy dogs are not everyone’s cup of tea.  Also it can hamper the flow of the viewing if you have to keep doors closed in order to avoid pets escaping from kitchens into gardens – it’s a distraction.   Also pet bowls should be at the very least clean, if not removed from view

Presuming you have read our preparation for viewings Top Tips No1 the house will be clean and presentable so we don’t need to go over old ground, but clearly have a tidy up before we arrive. Put away newspapers, magazines and pick up any post on the doormat.  The kitchen should be immaculate, no dirty dishes left in the sink please.

Consider your location, if you know it’s bin collection on Thursday mornings, forget booking viewings when the pavement fronting your property is full of wheelie bins.  If you live in a charming cul de sac with the local primary school at the entrance, avoid school pick up and drop off times.  Your buyer will already have noted this you don’t need to demonstrate the evidence before they have even had a chance to look at, or indeed be charmed by the house.

Are all the rooms open and available to view, sleeping teenagers or even lodgers need to be avoided at all costs – this has happened to us on several occasions and is an unwanted intrusion for both parties.

If it’s winter and the garden is bare you could leave a selection of photographs to show the garden at its finest.  Buyers love to see that the vendor has thought about what they might not see from a single viewing.

Buyers like to open cupboards, dishwashers and ovens, they also like to look in storage cupboards to see how their own home contents could possibly fit into your space.  Please don’t leave us any nasty surprises, or overstuffed cupboards clearly demonstrating a lack of space.

Garages, a pet hate for any agent and a disappointment for the buyer if they are locked and we don’t have access, buyers like to look in garages, sheds and any other outbuildings you may have, so make sure your agent has the key.

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Popping the Asking Price Bubble

Where in the Uk Can Buyers Snap Up Property Bargains and Where Properties Go for a Premium Above Asking Price   New research from fast selling property company, Upstix has uncovered the UK’s most surprising postcodes for snapping up a property at bargain prices this year, highlighting a widening gap between sellers’ expectations and the…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Highest demand to lease office space since pre-pandemic

The latest insights from the UK’s number one commercial property website Rightmove, reveals that the number of unique enquiries to lease office space is at its highest point since pre-pandemic, as businesses look for spaces that meet modern requirements. Demand to lease office space is 19% higher than the same period a year ago and…
Read More
Planning disputes on new build land
Estate Agent Talk

Planning consultations for major infrastructure to be streamlined

Robert Bruce, a planning and infrastructure partner at law firm Freeths LLP, said he: “Welcomed the change as a significant step to speeding up the DCO process and the focus on the quality and effectiveness of the consultation, rather than box ticking and a risk averse approach to pre-application consultation due to the current legal…
Read More
Breaking News

‘The property ladder pulls further away’ warns Open Property Group

For many first-time buyers across England, the dream of homeownership continues to slip further out of reach. Despite rising wages, soaring house prices are making it harder than ever to get on the property ladder. A leading UK professional house buying company ‘Open Property Group’ based in Buckinghamshire UK, has raised concerns over the ongoing…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

How Long It Takes to Buy a House in the UK: 5 Common Delays That Can Slow Down Your Home Purchase

Wondering how long it takes to buy a house in the UK? The average timeline ranges from 8 to 22 weeks, but even that can stretch significantly due to unexpected delays, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or caught in a chain. That’s why working with experienced professionals like Belvoir — one of the UK’s…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove to host Renters’ Rights Bill webinar with Guild of Lettings

Rightmove is hosting a live and interactive webinar session with the Guild of Lettings to help agents get Renters’ Rights Ready. The webinar will take place from 10:00am – 11:00am on Wednesday 23rd April. Susie Crolla, Managing Director for the Guild of Lettings, will be joining Rightmove to help agents with questions they may have about…
Read More