What not to do on property viewings

What not to do on property viewings - we analyse the main faux pas, advising buyers and sellers how to approach all-important viewings.

As a property seller, it’s exciting when a potential buyer requests to come and view your home. However, it’s important that you put some plans and preparations in place before any viewings occur to make sure they run as smoothly as possible.

What’s more, there are some blunders and faux pas you would do well to avoid, which is why here at Riverside Residential we present you with a list of what not to do when the big day arrives…

Don’t be disorganised

While this may seem like a given, there are many sellers who still fail to remove clutter and mess before viewing day. A buyer needs to be able to imagine themselves living in the property they are viewing, so the home needs to be kept neutral and tidy.

It’s recommended that you de-personalise and declutter where possible, going around the home and ensuring everything is put away in the right place.

Stairs and walkways must also be clear, as you could risk a viewer falling over and hurting themselves. Meanwhile, if you have any children and/or pets, it may be wise to leave them with a family member or friend for the day if possible.

Don’t get in the way

Potential buyers turn into explorers the minute they enter your home, so ensure that you give them enough freedom and allow them to try things out (such as taps, boilers and showers) and look around in rooms that interest them.

Of course, if you are conducting the viewing yourself, you will need to be on hand to answer any questions and provide information when needed. If the agent is doing the viewing, however, there’s no problem with you being there, but try to keep out of the way and let the buyer get on with it. Again, your knowledge could be useful at some point if the buyer has any questions.

Don’t be over-familiar

It’s important to be courteous and polite to your viewers, but it’s even more important to take a strictly professional approach without being over-friendly. Potential buyers may see this as a desperate attempt to snag a sale as quickly as possible.

What should buyers avoid doing?

On the flipside, buyers also have certain responsibilities to uphold when it comes to viewings. When you’re selling a home, it’s likely that you’ll also be buying somewhere else at the same time.

With this in mind, here’s some pointers on what not to do when you visit other people’s homes as a prospective purchaser.

Don’t disrespect the property

As a buyer, you should give the property the same level of respect you would want people to give your home when they come for a viewing. Some people have been known to bring their pets along to a viewing, refuse to remove their shoes when instructed, and even light up a cigarette in the home. The seller will ultimately decide who they will sell their home to, so be sure to be respectful of their property – especially if you’re interested in it.

Don’t negotiate during viewings

A viewing is the wrong time to discuss the asking price of the property. While you may be eager to put some offers on the table, this should be done via your estate agent after the viewing. It’s also inappropriate to criticise or challenge the asking price during the viewing.

Keep all opinions to yourself

Criticising the property while viewing is one of the worst things a potential buyer can do. Something that you might find wrong with the property may be the seller’s favourite feature, so it’s best to keep all opinions – good and bad – to yourself.

After all, if you end up putting in an offer on the home, you will want to have a good rapport with the seller.

With the above advice in mind, whether you are buying or selling a property, you can take part in a successful viewing with an increased chance of getting the outcome you desire.