There’s a high demand for flats in the UK.
But flats still take longer to sell than houses.
As with houses, one of the keys to selling a flat fast is hosting viewings.
But how long do flat viewings take? And what do you need to understand about them?
Read on to find out.
How long does a flat viewing take?
Initial flat viewings take 20 minutes on average.
It’s common for second viewings to take longer, such as 30 minutes.
This could be because extra family members have been invited. Or maybe the visitor wants to take measurements or ask more questions.
Preparation time
It’s also worth considering the time taken for staging a flat for viewings. It can significantly impact the likelihood of a successful sale.
Factors that impact flat viewing time frame
1. Type of flat
There are several types of flat in the UK, ranging from small studio flats to large maisonettes.
The larger and more expensive a flat is, the more time the viewing will take.
This is in part because your estate agent needs to cover more areas and explain key details.
2. Other areas included in the sale
Once you’ve viewed the property, it’s not always time to go home.
There may be other areas to check, such as a private car park or a communal garden.
If it’s a bit of a walk to get there, the viewing time will increase accordingly.
3. Number of viewings
First viewings tend to be the shortest, while second viewings are slightly longer.
Viewers often examine things in greater detail when taking the possibility of buying it more seriously.
4. Questions being asked
It’s not guaranteed that a buyer will ask questions while looking around a flat.
Sometimes, they’re silent! This could result in the flat viewing being shorter.
When numerous questions are asked, it can increase the viewing time. And there’s a lot to ask about, such as:
- The leasehold (and its conditions)
- Service charge
- Ground rent
- Neighbours.
And more.
Duration and level of interest
Longer flat viewings don’t necessarily indicate higher levels of buyer interest.
Time wasters exist on the property market. And some estate agents are more verbose than others.
The same is true of the reverse: Short viewings don’t always mean low interest.
Either way, the best indicator of interest is whether a second viewing is booked.
