If you’ve used an estate agent to sell a property before, you’ll have found viewings ‘interesting’. Typically, after a viewing, you may have been left with the feeling “well, that was nice… I’ve just done all the hard work and shown the buyer around myself”.

It’s a common feeling. And, in fact, it’s obvious why it happens: you know your own place much better than anyone, including any estate agent. 

There are other reasons, including the fact that it may be the first time the representative from the agent has even seen the place or been fully briefed on the key facts.

Bottom line: You know what the parking situation is. You know how good the wine shop across the road is. You know how long it takes to walk to the Tube station (in sunshine and in rain).

But isn’t it difficult to show someone around a property yourself? Based on the above, and the experiences of many before you, no. However, the ‘comfort blanket’ of some basic preparation beforehand can help, if you feel that you need it. Bear in mind the following:-

It goes without saying that you should take some basic security precautions when showing someone around your home, such as being accompanied by a friend or family when it happens. That’s just common sense, and is no different to having an agent present.

If you’re concerned about ‘vetting’ a potential buyer, before letting them in, that’s very difficult to do anyway… what are you really vetting them for? In the vast majority of situations, an estate agent can’t ‘vet’ a person who wants to view your place, even if they got round to it. When you open up your property to viewings by people you don’t know, there are some inherent (yet very remote) risks, whether you do it yourself or via an agent. That’s just a fact of life.

Viewings are, usually, an essential part of any sale. And many, many more times than not they’re a relatively brief, easy experience.

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