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PPPrrreeepppaaarrriiinnnggg fffooorrr aaa vvviiieeewwwiiinnnggg By Jaimie Rice, Phoenix Estate Agents

We all know it’s hard enough encouraging buyers to book a viewing as it is at the moment, so whatever you do, don’t be complaisant about being prepared for their visit to your property. Many sellers are of the opinion it is their house & the buyer can take it as it comes, which is fine if you are happy to show your home as it is. But the more they like you & the property, the better they view – the less inclined/comfortable they may be to negotiate more on the price! Two important points to remember are: 1) A viewer looking to live in the property, wants it to feel like ‘home’ so they need to feel welcome & comfortable taking their time to look at the property properly & getting a sense of whether they can see themselves there & if the accommodation fits their needs. 2) The less distractions there are, the easier it will be for them look properly, view the property to it’s full potential & make the decisions they need to make. If you want to help increase your chances of the viewing happening at it’s best then here are some tips: First impressions count: Much like when the agent visits to do the photos on your house, there are probably some things that you wouldn’t want a buyer to see, so put away the things you don’t want on show & have a general tidy round, clear washing up, put away dirty clothes/washing piles, make the beds, open the curtains. A clean/tidy & fresh smelling home always gives a better impression. Be prepared: They may want to ask questions about the utilities, if you have guarantees or certificates for work you have had done on the property, which fences you are responsible for etc. Are you a smoker? Your potential visitors may not be. The smoke/smoke smell can be seriously off putting for a non-smoker. Don’t leave dirty ashtrays around & definitely don’t smoke whilst they are there, it is often perceived as inconsiderate/rude. Got pets? Your viewers may not be pet owners, so bear in mind they may find animals jumping up at them distracting, please do not take offence by this – after all we can’t all have the same tastes/interests. It doesn’t hurt to ask if they are okay with dogs/cats before they come in & if they are, in having a contingency plan in place so they can feel comfortable visiting your home. (many vendors take it in turns taking the dog out for a walk or pop them in the car or a pet carrier/cage or other appropriate place for the duration of the appointment.) Relax: After all they are only human, the more welcoming you are, the more at ease they will feel & again the more likely they will take the time to look properly. Most viewers will really appreciate any effort you have put into helping them to feel more comfortable in your home. I wouldn’t want you to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. If there are any issues or more advice that you may want regarding viewings & buyer feedback, please contact us on: 01406 359131