When it comes to buying and selling a home, accompanied viewings aren't just an advantage...they're essential.
However, as 'budget agents' threaten to overturn this traditional method of Negotiator-accompanied show arounds, a norm is emerging in which the line between the 'sales team' and seller is becoming increasingly and mistakenly blurred.
A hallmark of High Street agent tradition, the face-to-face formula still pertains to many advantages, the sum of which only serves to re-inforce the false-economy of today's do-it-yourself alternative.
These benefits include, but are not limited to:
A different perspective
As an agent, Negotiators are approaching a property from a neutral perspective – one that is not enmeshed with memories and emotions - and that allows them to see features that perhaps the vendor might not think of, or which they’ve stopped noticing due to over-familiarity. This can include selling points such as favourable school catchments, potential to extend and projected value, in line with forecasted infrasture improvements.
Sales skills
Fundamentally, Estate Agents are sales people, and with this training and experience comes the capacity to communicate efficiently, effectively and enthusiastically, and to match applicant needs with property benefits. An experienced negotiator will also pre-qualify applicants, work on pre-viewing staging (eg. turning on lights / opening windors and doors) and determine a ‘viewing order’ to facilitate the best possible first impression. This is a skill that can’t be underestimated, and is one of the main reasons against homeowner-conducted viewings, per se.
Applicant comfort
Having the home owners present during viewings might be seen by some, to lend an advantage of familiarity and knowledge. In fact, the opposite can often be true, as applicants can be less relaxed and forthcoming, and unlikely to speak openly about their feelings and concerns, when the home-owners are present. This, in turn, means negotiators are removed of the opportunity to try and flip the script, or present an alternative viewpoint that might otherwise sway their opinion.
Convenience
As good an idea as it might seem for an owner to conduct their own viewings, the reality is that life, work and family commitments can make putting this into practice, more challenging that it seems. In addition, there is often an element of discomfort for owners around the idea of welcoming strangers into their home, that is inevitably avoided with the presence of an experienced Negotiator.
In summary...
What the above goes to show, is that even in today’s age of ‘self-selling’, the traditional framework of accompanied viewings is unwavering as the most efficient way of selling your home.
With relationships and rapport at the fore, in-personal presence from the offset is as invaluable as having a multi-platform presence, and there is arguably no better time of year to take advantage of this no-shortcuts-service... than in the school holiday season.
In the next six weeks, holidays will inevitably be creating precious windows of opportunity for selling agents such as Braxton, to take advantage of an unlimited appointment pool.
For those with ambitions of an onward move by the Autumn, this represents a starting point like no other, with high odds for both selling success, and less stress... in equal measure.
For more details on selling your property this summer, or to arrange a viewing on one of Braxtons' existing property listings, contact 01628 674234 or email property@braxtons.co.uk