Should you make friends with your viewers?
It is completely normal, expected almost, to offer a cup of tea, sit down and get to know each other when someone visits. But how much should you get to know your viewers?
Great Britain has a diverse, multicultural society and, in general, we are known for our good manners.
We are pleasant when meeting strangers for the first time.
Even more so when those strangers are in your home.
It is completely normal, expected almost, to offer a cup of tea, sit down and get to know each other when someone visits.
On a viewing, the conversation will often begin with the weather, perhaps moving on to the location you live in or possibly where they are moving from.
Where did your children go to school?
What is the OFSTED report like, etc?
This information is essential to someone who is thinking of moving there.
It could almost be the decision-maker about buying your property over another one.
BUT, aren't these all questions that your estate agent could answer? They should be.
Of course, if you have to do your own viewings, you will be pleasant and polite, but you need to know when to stop being polite and start thinking about the sale of your property.
Your viewers are likely thinking precisely the same. They are not there to make new friends. They are looking to buy a home.
If you become the best of friends and end up making them lunch, they will, eventually, leave your home feeling one of two things.
They will have forgotten your property altogether because they are thinking about you.
They will feel awkward because they may have decided that they don't like the property enough to make an offer, or perhaps even.
They like the property but now feel they can't make the offer they wanted to for the risk of offending you, so they may decide not to make an offer at all.
I have seen times where the seller has talked for so long they have ended up pointing out mildly negative points about the property. Such as a leak that they had a few years ago that was fully repaired (no need to discuss it if it is fixed, surely?) or the neighbour's dog that barks every time someone walks past - not a huge issue and wouldn't put anyone off necessarily, but it is hardly a selling feature is it!?
The best result for meeting your buyer is to wait until they ARE a buyer.
After an offer price has been agreed, they want to come round for second viewings to measure up for curtains or show the kids.
This way, they have already committed to the property.
They have already gone through the negotiation stage.
Mentioning an old leak from years ago that was repaired is hardly going to put them off, and they have probably already met the neighbour's dog and decided to buy the property anyway!
Property sales can get stressful.
There are many moving parts, and there are obligations on both the seller and the buyer to complete various stages to keep things moving along.
When completion dates are discussed, it all becomes real, and patience can wear thin.
In this respect, it is not advisable to have swapped phone numbers when doing the viewings.
If there is a phone call between the buyer and the seller whilst stress levels are high, it is likely to end in disaster.
There are third parties involved in this process for a reason. No matter how frustrating things are, calling your buyers and asking them why things are taking so long can become accusatory and will inevitably increase the stress for both sides.
So, my advice is, be cordial and polite, but let your agent do the 'selling' and allow second viewings for all of those other niggly questions about the council tax and when bin day is.
Don't swap phone numbers, and allow the professionals to do the best for you and earn their fees!
This way, it keeps the transaction professional and business-like without blaming either party when things become tense, which they almost always do.