turnaround time - estate agent to organise viewing

Hi all,
Could anyone advise what is the usual turnaround time for estate agents to organise a viewing once the measuring/photos have been taken for the brochure?

We're about to sell our (former) home in Dublin, but as I live abroad I want to do as much as possible re. putting it on the market when I return home next month. I want to get a company in to give it a thorough clean before I arrive, then I'll give one room a lick of paint and get the estate agent in that day. Will it be possible for me to "open" the first viewing less than a week later?

Thanks,

Hi Pernickity,

In my experience of buying and selling my own houses both in UK and Ireland, once the estate agent has the details of your house, they will immediately inform anybody enquiring about your type of house about your property. They don't necessarily wait for printed details to be prepared. Ask the estate agent to make sure the house is on the internet also (or put it on yourself).

It has also been my experience that viewings have been arranged on an individual basis with seperate appointments being made for individual prospective purchasers. It has never been my experience that a particular day has been set aside for multiple viewings as would happen for a showhouse in a new development for example. It would be wiser to maximise your chances of a quicker sale to be as accomodating to the viewers as possible.

Also, from my own experience, you will get a better price and possibly a quicker sale if the basic decoration is up to scratch all over the house. This may only need a quick coat of a neutral colour paint. It is better for a prospective purchaser to consider the place ready to move into immediately rather than having to redecorate before they can move in.

Best of luck with the sale.

thanks cligareen, will talk to my estate agent to see what they say but it's good to know what I can expect.

Hi Pernickity,

To help with a quick sale, make sure that the front and back garden (if applicable) are tidy and grass is cut. Empty the house of any furniture you are not going to sell with the house as this will make the rooms seem bigger. If you can paint all room with a neutral colour (as already said), it will help to brighten up the rooms and allow views to see the house and not the colour. Make sure the house is well aired and there are no bad smells. Try and arrange viewing during day light and turn on all the light in the house to add brightness

I have just had my house painted prior to putting on the market and as a result have pictures etc. all taken down from the walls. Is it sensible to not re-hang the pictures prior to viewing so that potential purchasers can get a better perspective and better envisage themselves living there??

hi pernickity,

Not an answer but a question for you. Have you got a company arranged to clean your house? Can you give me the name and approx cost of this, as I have to do the same soon.

Thanks

Hi, in the process of buying a house. I have never viewed a house on my own there have always been a time where the house is available to view and you and everyone else who is interested shows up at that time. All other comments about cleaning etc. are relevant. I have seen some untidy and down right filthy houses on this quest.

upmob,
I did have a recommendation, can't find it at the moment, but will put it up when I do

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The recommendation was:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]http://www.cinderellaworks.com/ I might give them a ring, but it won't be for a couple of months before I try them out.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
and this an extract of their rates on their website:
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We have a set rate of €12.35 per hour for regular cleaning and home help. With a minimum of 3 hours per visit unless frequency is more than twice a week where the minimum reduces to 2 hours per visit.

Our rate for a once off spring clean is €12.70 per hour per cleaner. On average it takes two cleaners 4 - 5 hours. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]House sitting rates vary depending on requirnments.
Normal house checking @ €19 per visit on property including feeding and walking pets, collecting mail, switching lights on/off etc. This covers up to 1.5 hours spent in the house. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Full occupation of house is charged @ €26 per day.

All prices are excluding 13.5% VAT [/FONT]

Cheers pernicky, and good luck with the move.