I am thinking of having Open House viewings and was wondering has anybody else done this in the UK and can give me any pointers?

I've read the pointers Gaynor (Burton bunch) put on the post Tips for house selling, Thanks Gaynor I'm going to see estate agent tmw to discuss reducing the price but I want to arrange an open house at the same time.

Rosie

I haven't had one but I plan to when I put my house up for sale after Christmas.

My friend had one. She owned a very nice and quite expensive house. She got the estate agent to advertise in the local press and though their office for an open house with cheese and wine on the Sunday from 10am to 2 pm.

She spent the whole of Saturday cleaning and polishing.

She packed the kids and the dog off to her parents, parked all but the best car at a friends house and served some nice wine in her best crystal with a couple of cheeses on biscuits on her best china.

He role was showing people around, he husbands was topping up wine, clearing away glasses and plates as soon as they were put down and generally being sociable.

She was knackered by Sunday night but by 10am Monday had 2 offers of the asking price and subsequently sold for £2k over asking price.

This was not in an area where property goes like hot cakes, just a steady market. She felt it was well worth all the effort.

Thank you, that was just what I was wondering, looks like OH needs to get his best bib and tucker out
That also gives me some ammunition to tell my agent, I'm not very happy about the effort they're putting in TBH.

Thanks
Rosie

tried to give you karma but it won't let me sry

Good luck with the open house rosie, if yours goes well may think of doing the same

Just tell the hubby to keep you away from the wine

Gill

In Edinburgh, most house viewings are arranged for a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon and 7-9 ish on a Thursday.

I have both used this way for selling my own house and it's also an excellent way to make a few bob, so I have shown other people's houses as well.

It's not customary to serve food or drink. I just used to answer the bell, then ask people if they wanted a tour and then if they did, showed them around and answered questions.

If there are several lots of people, you just start them off and then oscillate answering questions. If it is investors, they just like to buzz round, as do husbands/wives on 1st viewings who are shortlisting properties. Couples tend to take more time as they can discuss things and then ask questions.

Know all the things that are remotely useful, eg Council Tax Band, when the kitchen was fitted, all sorts of stuff!

Mainly, put anything pickable upable and valuable away, whilst trying to avoid the place looking empty!

I actually love showing houses but it is tiring so it's best to work as a team when it comes to the question answering.

We did an open house for when we rented out our house.

There was one near fight, and 3 involved in a bidding war over just renting the place.

the bidding i can cope with not sure about the war

Thanks Beebop, I'll keep what you said in mind

Gill I'll let you know how it goes, and if a war starts you can come and sort them out for me

Rosie

HEY i have enough battles here to last a life time

Im moving for a quiet life
No mill owners or neighbours

Good luck, i may sneak round esp if theres wine

Cool

You're more than welcome

I Had an open house last year with no cheese or wine and it worked well. We went from dropping the price by£10,000 to a bidding war back up to where we started. Our agent advertised it and we also had neighbour do one at the same time as they were selling to. This generated more interest too. Good luck and remember to take phone nos.

Thanks ellsie,

I went to the agents this morning reduced the house by £5k, but said offers in excess of and arranged for an open house on the 28th. My agent thinks I'm mad but 1 of the staff is really excited and is willing to do whatever is needed ie extra advertising etc.

Rosie

Great! I think my agent was a bit dubious but he was surprised at the response! At this time of year towards Christmas you need to push harder than the competition. Let us know how it went.

I don't understand why agents in the UK are so resistant to this. probably because they dont want to have to actually work for the money! They seem to dismiss the idea is being eccentric but it obviously works and is used in many other countries.

I personally think its a great idea. the key thing it does is lets people who are interested know how many other people are also interested and makes them feel like they need to act quickly. That would explain why offers seem to come in so quickly after the event and the offers seem to be higher than they would be if someone had viewed independantly instead of responding to attending the open house.

I personally think its a good idea. UK agents need to drag themselves out of the dark ages!

Thanks all

I don't understand why they are so dubious either, my agent has always said we need to get more people through the door and its just not happening, but guess what after a week with no viewings he's just phoned with a viewer for tmw night

Rosie