So, how many viewings does it take to sell a house? While there’s no answer exactly, nor a specific recipe for success, we can share some averages and tips. Let’s take a closer look.
What is the average number of viewings to sell a house?
Selling your home can be unpredictable; there’s no formula or blueprint you can follow that guarantees a successful sale. Many factors impact whether you sell, and when.
With that in mind, how many viewings to sell a house? The average is 10; but this can be higher or lower depending on whether it’s a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ market.
While you’re unlikely to sell your home in 1 or 2 viewings alone, our own Phil Spencer insists that the ‘best and most committed buyers often walk through your door in the first three weeks!’ Tune into our selling podcast for more top tips.
How long does it take to sell a house?
Again, how long it takes to sell a house depends on a variety of factors, including how well your property is being marketed and how proactive your solicitor is.
However, it usually takes around 4-6 months to sell (from listing to completion).
How many viewings should you aim for?
Around 2 viewings a week is a good number to aim for. The first week is often the busiest, and in a hot market, you can expect there to be more interest and therefore more potential buyers.
In a cold market, expect around 1 viewing every 1-2 weeks. The property market tends to be quieter around Christmas time, and in the colder months, however that doesn’t mean you should avoid selling then. There are many perks to a winter sale, including less competition.
When is a good time to sell?
Knowing when is a good time to sell entirely depends on you and your personal circumstances. You need to consider:
- If you can afford it – the cost of moving house adds up!
- Your personal circumstances (e.g. career, family) and if they’re likely to change
- Why you’re moving
- When you need to move by
How many viewings for an offer?
There’s no hard and fast number on this, but second viewings usually indicate interest.
You can also tell committed buyers apart from time-wasters by:
- Seeing if they have a mortgage in principle
- Examining how much interest they’re expressing in your property and the questions they ask
- Asking if they already have a solicitor on board
- Getting an idea of their timelines
What to do if you’re not getting viewings
Your estate agent will be absolutely key here; how they market your property is hugely important. Common reasons for houses not selling include:
- It’s been valued wrong and the price is too high
- It’s being marketed poorly
- The listing isn’t up to scratch (e.g. poor photos, lack of description)
- You’ve not picked the right estate agent
- You’re making a bad impression during viewings (e.g. bad smells, clutter)
How to list your property for sale
The listing is the first impression and will largely determine how many viewings you get, and therefore how long your home takes to sell.
Ensure the photos are not only of a high quality, but there are plenty of them. You should also use the description to your advantage, is it showcasing your property in its best light? Are you shouting about any unique features, or key selling points?
You’ll also need to ensure your estate agent is featuring your home on the property portals – it’s the first place many buyers look.
Want a speedy sale?
If you want to speed things along, and get as many viewings as possible, some tips for selling your house fast include:
- Being open and communicative at every step
- Promoting the area as well as the property
- Ensuring your solicitor is proactive
- Micromanaging the sale
- Sell to a cash buyer
- Sell to a first-time buyer
Heard about the alternative?
If speed and security are your top priorities when selling, there’s a faster way to get the job done. The Modern Method of Auction provides a wider market, is more accessible, and can speed up the process. It avoids delays associated with property chains and time-wasting buyers. Want to find out more? Start your online property auction below.
Last Updated: November 3rd, 2021
