Managing viewings effectively

Managing viewings effectively - Tips for a positive buyer experience

Once your property is on the market, managing viewings becomes a crucial step in the selling process. Each viewing is an opportunity to make a strong impression on potential buyers and move closer to securing offers. This guide covers strategies for preparing your property, conducting viewings, and addressing common challenges.

1. Preparing your property for viewings

First impressions are vital, so preparing your home to showcase its best features is essential:

Clean and declutter:Ensure your property is tidy, with surfaces clear of clutter. A well-organised, clean home feels more spacious and inviting to buyers.Let in natural light:Open curtains and blinds to maximise light, making rooms appear larger and more welcoming. Light also brings warmth to the home, creating a positive atmosphere.Neutralise odours:Ensure your home smells fresh and neutral. Air out rooms beforehand and avoid strong scents or cooking smells, as this can create a more appealing environment. If you have pets, be mindful of this too!

Clean and declutter:Ensure your property is tidy, with surfaces clear of clutter. A well-organised, clean home feels more spacious and inviting to buyers.

Let in natural light:Open curtains and blinds to maximise light, making rooms appear larger and more welcoming. Light also brings warmth to the home, creating a positive atmosphere.

Neutralise odours:Ensure your home smells fresh and neutral. Air out rooms beforehand and avoid strong scents or cooking smells, as this can create a more appealing environment. If you have pets, be mindful of this too!

2. Conducting viewings effectively

Your approach to viewings can make a big impact on potential buyers’ perceptions of your property:

Always use an agent for viewings:Estate agents are experienced at conducting viewings professionally and can manage buyer questions with ease. Never accept an agent suggesting that you do the viewings yourself - major red flag!Be flexible with timing:Buyers have different schedules, so being flexible with viewing times - especially on evenings and weekends - can attract more potential buyers.Provide helpful information:Highlight aspects that may not be obvious, like energy-saving features, recent upgrades, or local amenities. Giving useful context to your agent who might not know these intimate details can add value to the buyer’s experience.

Always use an agent for viewings:Estate agents are experienced at conducting viewings professionally and can manage buyer questions with ease. Never accept an agent suggesting that you do the viewings yourself - major red flag!

Be flexible with timing:Buyers have different schedules, so being flexible with viewing times - especially on evenings and weekends - can attract more potential buyers.

Provide helpful information:Highlight aspects that may not be obvious, like energy-saving features, recent upgrades, or local amenities. Giving useful context to your agent who might not know these intimate details can add value to the buyer’s experience.

3. Handling feedback and follow-ups

Feedback from viewings can provide valuable insights into buyers’ perceptions, helping you make adjustments as needed:

Request feedback from your agent:Expect your estate agent to gather and share feedback from viewers - they can do this verbally and within the Open Moove app! This can reveal both positive aspects and areas for improvement.Address any recurring concerns:If buyers frequently mention specific issues - such as outdated decor or minor repairs - consider making adjustments to increase appeal.Stay open to buyer queries:Buyers may have questions about the property or its features. Prompt, clear answers can reassure them and build confidence in the property.

Request feedback from your agent:Expect your estate agent to gather and share feedback from viewers - they can do this verbally and within the Open Moove app! This can reveal both positive aspects and areas for improvement.

Address any recurring concerns:If buyers frequently mention specific issues - such as outdated decor or minor repairs - consider making adjustments to increase appeal.

Stay open to buyer queries:Buyers may have questions about the property or its features. Prompt, clear answers can reassure them and build confidence in the property.

4. Navigating potential challenges

Viewings can sometimes present challenges, but planning ahead can help address these smoothly:

Dealing with no-shows or last-minute cancellations:While frustrating, cancellations can be common. Your agent will confirm viewing times in advance, but try to be flexible if a potential buyer needs to reschedule.Balancing privacy and accessibility:Sellers may feel uncomfortable with buyers viewing personal spaces. Clearing away personal items can protect your privacy while keeping the home welcoming.Handling difficult questions or low offers:Some buyers may raise concerns or propose lower offers. Respond politely and let your agent manage all negotiations.

Dealing with no-shows or last-minute cancellations:While frustrating, cancellations can be common. Your agent will confirm viewing times in advance, but try to be flexible if a potential buyer needs to reschedule.

Balancing privacy and accessibility:Sellers may feel uncomfortable with buyers viewing personal spaces. Clearing away personal items can protect your privacy while keeping the home welcoming.

Handling difficult questions or low offers:Some buyers may raise concerns or propose lower offers. Respond politely and let your agent manage all negotiations.

What Open Moove suggests next

At Open Moove, we recommend these steps for effective viewings:

Keep your home ‘viewing-ready’:Regularly tidying and decluttering will make last-minute viewings stress-free.Communicate with your agent:Regular updates from your agent on feedback and interest levels help you stay informed and make improvements if needed.Use Open Moove’s seller resources:Our platform offers insights on managing viewings and includes tools to stay organised and track buyer interest.

Keep your home ‘viewing-ready’:Regularly tidying and decluttering will make last-minute viewings stress-free.

Communicate with your agent:Regular updates from your agent on feedback and interest levels help you stay informed and make improvements if needed.

Use Open Moove’s seller resources:Our platform offers insights on managing viewings and includes tools to stay organised and track buyer interest.

Managing the viewing experience effectively can help create a positive buyer experience, boosting interest and increasing your chances of receiving strong offers.