We all want to give the best first impression of our property to potential buyers, so it’s important to know the pitfalls that some people fall victim to when selling their home.
We talk to our Clerkenwell Sales Manager, Josh Walsh, about the most common slip-ups and what to do instead so you can achieve a successful sale - with a few fun examples to illustrate
DON'T... leave your pets in the house during a viewing
Josh Walsh, Clerkenwell Sales Manager
Even if you have the most adorable dog that wouldn’t hurt a fly, a potential buyer may not be as keen on Rover as you are. Your pup also might not be as well behaved as you think when you’re not there…
“We’ve had situations where vendors’ dogs have stopped viewings,” discloses Josh. “I once had to run out of a flat in Wapping as I was being chased by a boxer-weimaraner cross. The vendor said he was as good as gold, but not so much when he had strangers in his house!”
The potential problems are not only limited to canines either.
“Once, a children’s room had a pet iguana enclosure where the lid had been left off... By the end of the viewing there were 30 inch long crickets loose in the flat.”
DO keep your pets out of the way during viewings. “If you can, arrange for someone to take your pets out for the day or leave them with a family member, or if these options aren’t viable, make sure that they are contained in the house,“ advises Josh.
DON'T...say the wrong things
Being honest is a valued trait and appreciated by potential buyers, but is there such a thing as sharing too much when talking to the buyers viewing your property?
“Occasionally, there were situations where the vendor has just said the wrong thing and talked their way out of a deal. For example, you might vehemently disagree with your neighbour on politics, but that doesn’t mean the next person living there will! So it might be worth reconsidering giving the potential buyer all the details about this problem.”
And it’s not always negative talk that can be off-putting, over-selling can prove just as detrimental.
“Over-pitching can come across as pushy and invasive. Often buyers will want to view the property with just an agent so that if they don’t like the wallpaper they feel comfortable to say so!” Josh claims.
DO trust your agent to present your property in the best light – this is what they specialise in. “If you are present during a viewing and buyers ask specific questions, answer them, but try and stick to facts and specifics.”
If you’re selling a flat, the halls and stairs of the building often have an impact on the first impression of a potential buyer.
“I’ve received feedback before where the flat was amazing, but the building itself wasn’t up to scratch. If it looks like the building is poorly managed, this can be an issue. If you can get together with your neighbours and/or building managers and improve the communal spaces, it will benefit all of you and can sometimes even have an impact on the value,” reveals Josh.
DO make an effort to present shared areas as best you can.“Approach the manager of the building regarding the communal areas. Even if you can’t do any major works, you can make sure they’re clean and look their best,” advises Josh.
DON'T...avoid making an effort with your current tenant
If the property you are selling is currently being rented, make sure you make the necessary effort to be on good terms with the tenant before conducting viewings.
“We’ve witnessed a few cases where tenants have not been as helpful to the buying process as they could have been. We’ve even seen plates of fish left out in the sun which added a less than pleasant aroma to the property!”
DO keep your tenant informed and make the buying process as convenient for them as possible.“If you have a tenanted property, have a chat with them first to make sure that they are informed throughout the process. Ensure the agent gives them the relevant notice when arranging viewings and ask them kindly to help present your property well,” suggests Josh.
Discover more...
Wondering "how do I get started in selling my house in the UK?" Get a free valuation to start you off.
Or, if you’re already underway, take a look at our article on how to prepare your property for viewings.
