How do I manage viewings of my property?
Once you have arranged a viewing you should ensure your home is prepared in such a way that it is presented in the best possible light. For hints and tips on this please see our Preparing Your Home page.
Security - By this point you should have the buyer details (recommended in the previous section). We recommend that you never host a viewing alone - even if you live alone you can ask a relative, friend or neighbour to be with you. Please remember that this advice also applies if you are using an estate agent, as most will simply make the appointment for you and won't be there to meet the viewer with you.
Make sure you have as much information to hand as possible, such as:
- Any guarantees for work carried out on the property - eg damp-proofing, extension, rewire etc.
- Any guarantees for goods you are leaving - eg fridge, washing machine, boiler etc.
- You may not have current guarantees for everything but still try to remember how long ago the work was carried out or the item bought. This knowledge shows that you care for your home and are on top of what may need replacing and when.
- Council tax - a common question. What band are you and how much is it?
- What are the neighbours like? This is another common question and you need to be truthfull. One of the questions your solicitor will ask is whether there have been any disputes with your neighbours so, if there have, it is best to be open about it at this stage.
- Where is the nearest school and where is the nearest catholic/private school etc?
- Depending on your location: Where is the nearest train station/bus stop? Where do they go? What is the drive into town like in rush hour?
- Where is the nearest shopping centre/supermarket or are the local shops just as good?
- What are the local amenities and where are they? - eg cinema, gym, restaurants, nightlife, theatre.
- Lastly, many potential buyers will ask why you are moving. Don't take offence at this - they don't want to know your private business. They will just be seeking assurances that you aren't escaping problem neighbours or that a factory isn't about to be built over the road etc.
Having as much information to hand as possible is professional and lets the viewer go away with as much information as possible with which to make a decision. Buyers can easily go off the boil waiting for you to get back to them with answers they may have expected you to know. However, if you don't know an answer then say so - don't guess or make up an answer. Tell the viewer you will find out as soon as possible and make sure you keep to this.
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Return to - 'Sell my own home' Guide
Please note. The information contained within the MyKeys.co.uk 'Guide to selling my own home privately' is for guidance only.
For the legal aspects of selling your own home please contact your solicitor.