Getting a house ready for viewing takes a lot of planning and prepping. In a bid to capture the attention of prospective buyers, many sellers leave no stone unturned to make their homes look like something right out of an interior design magazine. From decluttering the space to covering the vibrant walls with a neutral hue, people tend to put in a lot of effort and money to style their homes in a way that would give them an edge over other sellers in the market.
On the other hand, viewing a house provides potential homebuyers with the perfect opportunity to get in the good graces of the seller. After all, there are a few things as annoying as finally finding your dream home only to learn that the owner decided to go with another buyer.
So, what do you do to ensure the seller gets a good impression of you during a house tour?
The answer is simple: don’t say anything disparaging about the property or its décor. Even when you think the house wouldn’t suit your lifestyle requirements or would require some renovations, it is always recommended to hold off on any negative remarks. Of course, you can later discuss these points with your real estate agent, but you may not want to lay it all out in front of the seller.
Since we have already talked about what (and what not) to look for when viewing a house, it’s about time we look at some of the things prospective buyers should refrain from saying while touring a property.
What Not to Say When Viewing a House
Home viewing presents a brilliant opportunity to create a good relationship with the seller. To help you achieve that objective, we have put together a list of what you should not say when viewing a house.
“I Am Not a Huge Fan of the Décor”
It is natural for people to decorate their homes in a way that appeals to them. Some may be fond of neutral colour palettes and minimalist décor while others may appreciate bolder hues and maximalist designs. However, as a potential homebuyer, you must focus on the layout and architectural aspects of a property instead of its interior design, which can be easily modified once you move in.
Therefore, instead of turning down a house or an apartment simply because you don’t agree with the current owner’s décor choices may not be a wise decision. Also, remember that an accidental insult or unwarranted criticism could be the difference between you buying your dream home or not. So, if you are satisfied with the layout of the house and think it would be perfect for your family, make sure to silently take notes of the things you would like to change and then discuss them amongst yourselves at a later time.
According to real estate experts, a helpful trick to keep your lips sealed is to imagine you grew up with this type of décor. It would prevent you from committing any faux pas.
“This Is My Dream Home”
When you are viewing a house with the owner, it is recommended to keep the conversation light and simple. If you spend the entire tour gushing over the features of the property and how it would be a perfect place to raise your family, it could have a negative impact in the long run. The slightest hint of interest from a buyer often leads agents and sellers to negotiate a higher offer, which may affect your budget drastically.
In simpler terms, once the seller knows that you have stumbled across your dream home, they would want to sell it for a higher price. Thus, house viewing etiquette suggests prospective buyers should not be too effusive with their praise.
Even if you fall in love with the property at the first sight and it checks all of the items on your house viewing checklist, please be mindful of what you say in front of the seller. Otherwise, you may end up giving away your negotiating power, which is the last thing you should do. Instead, consider saving your admiration for the confines of your own home.
“Why Do You Want to Sell This House?”
This one could be a double-edged sword.
As a buyer, you would want to know why the current owner has put their house on the market. You may wonder if they are relocating because of the neighbourhood or if the house has undergone some structural damage that you are not aware of. However, when you are property hunting, it is always a good idea to pose these questions in front of the real estate agent instead of asking the owner directly.
Though it may not appear that way, there could be a myriad of reasons that may force a person to sell their home – and some of these reasons can be pretty upsetting. For example, a death in the family, job loss, divorce, debt, and financial problems can all result in a person selling their personal belongings, including their property. However, all of these are personal matters and there is a good chance that the seller won’t be thrilled to discuss them with you.
Hence, it is best to keep your curiosity at bay and tread carefully.
“We Will Have to Renovate the Place Right After We Move In”
One of the most important house viewing tips is always being polite in front of the seller. So, even when you think the property you are viewing may need major renovations in the near future to accommodate your lifestyle preferences, you may not want to bring it up in front of its current owner.
It is essential to remember that people tend to be emotionally attached to the home they have spent years in. Therefore, pointing out flaws when viewing a house can be a little hurtful for the seller. If you have a hard time keeping your thoughts to yourself, consider putting yourself in the seller’s shoes for a little while. Would you like it if a stranger walks into your home and mentions everything that they would change or remodel the instant they move in?
It feels unpleasant, right?
Hence, experienced real estate agents often ask the buyers to keep their renovation plans to themselves when visiting a property for a quick tour. Whether you don’t like the kitchen countertops or would like to knock down the wall dividing the cooking space and the lounge area to create a larger living room, consider taking notes on your phone and discuss them later with your family.
“The Last House We Saw Looked Much Better”
House hunting can be an arduous task. However, it is recommended to view at least a few properties before reaching a final decision. So, when you come across a home that offers all the amenities and facilities that you desire, it is not a bad idea to view a couple more houses just to make sure you don’t end up settling on something. After all, buying a house is a huge financial milestone, so it is never a good idea to make such decisions in a rush.
However, you also shouldn’t go around comparing every house you visit with the one that caught your fancy – at least not verbally and not in front of the seller. As a prospective buyer, sharing too much information with the seller can count as a disadvantage as it may compromise your position to bargain.
So, instead of constantly praising the last house you visited, you should try to put your best foot forward and engage in a polite chit-chat with the seller as you tour their property. You can also check out our comprehensive guide to choosing between two similar properties for more information.
To conclude, viewing a house provides buyers with an excellent opportunity to gain an edge over the competition and establish a positive rapport with the seller. Nevertheless, it should not be seen as an occasion to negotiate the price of the property, as doing so can irk the seller.
Instead, potential buyers should show the existing homeowners that they appreciate their taste and plan on taking good care of their property. Moreover, don’t mention that you want to renovate the place or change its interior decor.
If you’ve got any more house viewing questions, please feel free to share them with us by emailing us at blog@zameen.com.
In the meantime, if you are in the market to buy a house, here are a few blogs that you may find helpful.
- How to Verify the Quality of Construction When Buying a House?
- Some Important Questions to Ask When Buying a Property
- What to Look for in a House If You Want to Start a Family Within 5 Years?
This brings us to the end of our guide on what you should not say when viewing a house with the owner. For more home buying tips, please stay connected to Zameen Blog – the top property blog in Pakistan. You can also visit our Facebook page to learn all about the latest real estate investment opportunities in your city.
