Can you host your own property viewings?

It’s a question that many are looking for an answer to.

Fixed-fee estate agents such as easyProperty offer their customers the option to host their own property viewings and, for most people, it’s a no brainer. It’s your home, after all: of course you can show people around it. But to others, the prospect of inviting strangers into their property can be a little daunting. In this guide we look at the benefits of both hosting your own property viewings and using a Hosted Viewings service.

“Step into my home”: the benefits of hosting your own viewings

You’re a local expert

No doubt you’ve lived in the property for years, so you probably have a solid idea of the great things your area has to offer. You know the area as well as anyone else, and will know how to talk about its best features (as well as its worst — but let’s stay mum on those).

Your buyer will likely want to hear how the property and location has served someone who’s actually lived there. If your buyer mentions an interest in exercise, why not tell them about the local leisure centre, or the park down the road where all the runners go? If they have a dog, perhaps there’s a scenic route that’s perfect for dog walkers. Listen to your buyer and their needs, so you can pinpoint the aspects that are going to benefit them the most.

There’s money to be saved

With the average viewing lasting around 15 minutes, you have to wonder whether parting with 1.5% or more of your sale price when using a high street agent is worth it. There’s also no question that, to many people, having strangers traipse around their home without them being there is a little unsettling.

Carrying out viewings yourself, though, can be more convenient than you’d think at first. Perhaps you work from home or your office is just around the corner, which will let you carry out viewings on the fly. Perhaps in the moments between school runs you’ll be able to show a few people around.

When it comes to selling your home, any possible savings should always be welcome. By cutting an agent out of this process, you can save enough to pay for a kitchen in your new home. Or if you prefer to think of it the other way, you could use the extra savings to do up the house before you sell it. Adding a fresh coat of paint or fitting a new kitchen could add even more value to your sale and is well worth the investment.

Availability outside office hours

It’s safe to assume that most prospective buyers will be working during the day. This means a lot of them will only be free to view your property in the evenings and at weekends.

You’ll be hard-pushed to find an agent who’s willing to work past eight o clock and on Saturdays and Sundays. So if you’re able to carry out at least a few of them yourself, your viewings won’t be limited to the opening hours of your estate agent. And by providing the availability that buyers actually want, you’re likely to get in more viewings than an agent would — without having to cough up a single penny.

Why you might want a Hosted Viewings service

If you’d rather not carry out your own viewings, it doesn’t mean you have to resort to paying commission to an estate agent. You also have the option of hiring a professional property clerk to help you out.

So what are the benefits of getting a professional to host your viewing?

Perhaps you’re shy around strangers

If you’re the kind of person to shy away from strangers, having a Hosted Viewings service could be a huge benefit. If your buyers have any questions (and they will have questions), your reticence could be seen as a warning that the property isn’t right for them — when in fact, it’s just a reflection of your quiet personality.

Practice makes perfect

Let’s face it: if you’re doing your own viewings for the first time, there might be a bit of a learning curve. Until you feel comfortable carrying out your own viewings, though, why not see how professionals do it? Having conducted countless viewings, they’re well-accustomed with what to say and what to point out. It’s also a great way to get some practice, without jeopardising your chances of securing an offer.

Availability during office hours

We’ve already spoken about how most buyers are largely available to view your home at evenings and weekends. However, most serious applicants will want to get a feel for what your property is like during daylight hours. Many jobs don’t allow the luxury of ducking out of the office to carry out a viewing, and if booking a day off isn’t a viable option, or you don’t want to eat into your annual leave to sell your home, then a Hosted Viewing service could be the perfect solution.

Final thoughts

Whatever the situation, it’s best to be as flexible as possible to the buyer’s schedule. When all’s said and done, you’re trying to convince them to part with what is often hundreds of thousands of pounds of their hard-earned cash: if you can’t fit in around them, they’ll soon find someone who can.

Everybody’s situation will be different, and you know best how to get the most out of your viewings. You can choose exactly what you and your property need. If you’re unsure, why not join a professional on a viewing and get an idea of what to do? Once you see how it’s done, you’ll be hosting your own viewings in no time.

Want to know more?

To find out how to conduct your viewings simply, safely, and effectively, take a look at our guide.

Learn more

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