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Viewings
If
you conduct viewings for your own home are you prepared and have
a plan or do you get it over as soon as possible?
Ensure
the best chances of achieving a sale by
checking through the following viewing tips.
Often
viewings conducted by the home owner are rushed, giving the
viewer only a few moments to take in each room.
If a viewer
feels uncomfortable they
won't get the best impression and will just move onto
the next property.
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Buying
a home is an emotional response as a result of a buyer forming a bond
with the property at a subconscious level. How often do you hear
"I just felt it could be home" ? As a
property seller you can help a viewer to
feel this 'bond'.
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Enable
the viewer to feel that it could be their home. Detach yourself as
the owner of the house temporarily and become the sales person - pass on
your knowledge of the house and location, tell the viewer about the
positive aspects and create a welcoming atmosphere, homely feel and
remove the personal effects that stamp this home as yours.
Gentle music in the background
will help to create a more relaxing atmosphere, this is the reason that supermarkets play it: we stay longer and buy more if we are relaxed.
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Prepare
for a
viewing
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Open windows and let in some
fresh air.
-
Ensure
a comfortable air temperature.
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Open blinds and curtains to
let in natural light.
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Turn on
internal lights for ambience.
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Check that
flowers, plants and fruit bowls are fresh and attractively arranged.
Ensure
art work hangs correctly and complements the style of the room
Spritz the air with a little gentle freshener (not strong air
freshener!)
Kitchens
should be spotless with no dirty dishes in the sink.
Wipe down
bathrooms and close toilet lids.
Buff up any chrome including taps to a shiny finish.
Make beds
and pick up any clothing and miscellaneous daily clutter.
Plump and fluff all cushions and pillows, arrange throws.
Contain
pets or arrange for a local dog walking service to take your pet
out for an hour.
Contain
children and avoid all the family
being in if at all possible.
Consider
security and ensure that credit cards or bills with important
information are not left lying about.
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During
the viewing
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Be
friendly, relaxed and relatively
smart (you're selling a lifestyle, not just a home).
Greet
the viewer(s) with a positive hand shake and a smile, put them at
their ease.
- Keep
a few property brochures and check that they have
one.
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Pre-plan
a route of the house, ending with or going to the garden early
if its a selling point.
Show
them into a room first so that you don't fill the space or
obscure the view.
Introduce
the key features of each room. Don't be shy - you are
selling the house.
Ask
a few questions as you show them around so that you can give information
that's relevant to their circumstances.
Ask
what their buying position is and where they live currently. Its
useful to know how serious a buyer they may be and if they know
the area.
Give
useful information about your home, locality, local
schools, transport.
Mention
positives and selling features e.g. 'We have a
security system.. an alarm.. heating.. fuel type..
comment on integrated appliances'...'its a great view from the
kitchen sink, I enjoy looking at the garden as I'm washing
the pots.' ...' The children love the size of the garden and its very
safe and secure'. 'This room is a really good size -
plenty of space for the 'king size bed' etc...
'Its a very quiet neighbourhood' 'The local school had a good
ofsted report' 'We have a number of good local
restaurants.'..etc..
Its
a good idea to show them around and
then leave them at the last room in the house and suggest that
they take their time looking on their way back. Buying a house is a serious investment but many
viewings only last a few minutes, they need to take things in. Many viewers
book a number of viewings on one day, you can ensure your home is
memorable.
Tell them
where to find you when they've finished - 'I will be in the
conservatory reading the paper if you would like to join me there,
sit down and ask any further questions' etc.
Ensure they get the seat with the
best view of the
garden etc. The longer they stay and the more comfortable they
feel, the more likely they are to feel 'at home' and gain a bond
with the property.
Ask
if they have any questions they would like to ask you?
Ask
what they think about the property... They may play down their interest to strengthen
their negotiations however you may receive useful feedback
or indications of their intentions.
DON'T
enter into negotiations on price. Refer
them to make any offers through your estate agent. This will give
you a stronger negotiating position and enable your estate agent
to make any necessary checks.
DON'T
indicate any requirement to get a fast sale. This may endanger
your negotiating position.
Viewings are a vital part of
the selling process and should never be underestimated.
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