Hot hot hot!

I know that it is not exactly breaking news but we are having a bit of a heatwave at the moment. I am usually a bit of a sun worshipper but I must admit that even I am finding it a bit hot. I never thought I would be jealous of our illustrious leader Simone after her rain filled week away in Cornwall (tee-hee).

As I have always said we are extremely lucky to live near the coast but in these conditions having to drive past the seafront watching people having ice creams and messing about in the water is particularly painful when you are suited and booted showing people around houses.

And what about those houses? The empty ones are like ovens, having been shut up and secured, when you turn up to do a viewing the first thing you have to do is open every window just to get a bit of air in! The gardens as well aren’t looking at their best! Most peoples lawns, if theirs are anything like mine, are completely parched and looking more like prairie land than lush green pastures. The lucky ones with artificial lawns or astro turf are looking very smug at the moment.

I think that most people looking at houses expect that the gardens aren’t looking great and so take this in to consideration but there are other things you can do to make the viewing experience more comfortable in the heat. Like I said ventilate the property as well as you can and try and get some air blowing through. I went to do a valuation on a property the other day and the front door of the house was wide open while the lady was sat in the back garden! This might be a bit extreme but open as many windows as you can. Obviously offering people a cold drink might be a nice gesture but maybe a dip in the paddling pool might be a bit too forward.

That brings me on to a more sensitive issue. Imagine the scene, beautiful character property, lovely front garden, welcoming grand entrance door. You ring the bell to view the house and already you are thinking this is the one! The door opens and there stands the owner, all 20 stone of him, topless in just a small pair of shorts, cold beer in hand with a sheen of sweat all over him. This viewing is now not going so well. It works the other way as well. A lady opens the door in an ill fitting and far too revealing bikini. You want people to remember the house not what you were or were not wearing, no offence.

You may not believe it but this has happened to me on many an occasion. I have turned up in a suit, sweating, looking a bit of a pillock in the weather while the vendor has been in a state of undress trying to keep cool. It has been a real struggle to maintain eye contact or know where to look. If in doubt always focus on the features…..of the house.

This article is by Rob at Scott & Stapleton 
Tel: 01702 471155 
Email: rob@scottandstapleton.co.uk