Conducting a successful property viewing
A successful viewing is a key component of any house sale.
It might sound like a daunting task at first, but if you prepare correctly and follow the relevant advice, there is no reason why your viewings can’t pass without a hiccup and in fact, increase the chances of your home selling.
To help you on your way, we have compiled a list of the top things to think about when showing would-be buyers around your home.
Preparation is key
If your home is clean, uncluttered and pleasing on the eye, it stands to reason that more would-be buyers will be attracted to it. Carrying out some TLC will give your sales pitch a much-needed boost.
To do this, you will need to both de-clutter and de-personalise. Buyers want to visualise themselves living in the place they might one day call home, this is less likely if the house is full of quirky knick-knacks and personal items of great sentimental value. You don’t want your home to come across as soulless, but neither do you want to put prospective buyers off. A fine balance is needed.
Clean up
Make sure windows are sparkling and letting in as much light as possible. Dirty kitchens and bathrooms are really yucky, even when it’s your own mess, so it’s particularly horrid for someone else - don’t make them feel like they need to don a hazard suit to wash their hands. If it looks like you don’t love your home, how is anyone else going to fall in love with it?
Kitchen is where the heart is
This room could be a deal-breaker. With the foodie revolution sweeping across Britain, thanks in no small part to shows like the Great British Bake Off and Masterchef and the rise of farmers’ markets, people are spending more and more time in their kitchens. And not just to cook and bake, but as a place to socialise and somewhere for the kids to do their homework.
With this in mind, your kitchen needs to be clean, homely and aesthetically pleasing. The kitchen is now seen by many as the most important room in the home, so buyers are likely to be particularly discerning when you show them round yours.
Swerve the clichés
You can picture the scene – a pot of homemade coffee and some freshly baked bread to give off a cosy, homely air. But buyers won’t be fooled. Be as natural as possible and don’t try and second guess what your buyers are looking for. It will just come across as false.
Shine a light
When it comes to selling your home, it makes sense for your sales pitch to focus on your property’s main attributes. This might be location or garden space or a gleaming new kitchen. Don’t be afraid to extol the virtues of your house.
Make the most of your outdoor space
Many buyers will have this as a top consideration, especially those with young children. So, whether you’ve got a huge garden or a relatively small one, make sure the buyers knows about it (you’ll need to make sure it’s in good condition first, of course).
If you don’t possess much outdoor space to shout about, talk about the local parks or playing fields to further entice buyers.
Friendly but professional
When welcoming viewers make sure you are warm and courteous, but remember to keep things on a strictly professional level. Buyers might see over-friendliness as a sign of desperation on the part of the seller.
Make them comfortable
This is arguably the most important step. People viewing your property might want to explore every nook and cranny – after all, they could soon be calling it “home” and want to ensure it is 100% right for them. They might feel less comfortable about doing this if you are constantly snapping at their heels the whole time.
Give them the freedom to look around as much as possible, but make sure you are on hand to answer any questions when required. Try and keep things friendly, light-hearted and informal – if you can build a decent rapport with would-be buyers, they’re more likely to place an offer. On the other hand, don’t be too pushy or you’ll risk annoying the people you want to purchase your home.
It’s not an easy process, but your life will be made simpler if you follow the above advice.