Property for sale? Always ask buyers two questions before a viewing to avoid wasting time with 'fake viewers'

Estate agents and homeowners could be wasting hours a year when selling property, according to material information and digital property pack provider Moverly.

This can be frustrating at what is already a stressful time, but there are some ways to spot a genuine buyer.

Experts shared some questions that could help you weed out those who are not genuinely interested. Of course, this will not guarantee a sale but it could save you time when selling.

They revealed the questions to ask:

Are they pre-approved for a mortgage? The experts said: "If they have their finances ready it’s a good sign they’re in a position to buy."

Why do they want to move? They added: "If they don’t have a clear answer, like good schools, more green space, or upsizing, it may be that they’re simply browsing."

The experts shared more signs to look out for that can indicate a legitimate buyer.

"When the viewing does take place, genuine buyers tend to move through a house slowly, visualising themselves in each room," they explained.

"Good signs are if they ask about utility bills and council tax, while the same goes if they ask about the local amenities, like parks or dog walking opportunities."

Viewings take an average of around 28 minutes and require effort from sellers to be available and ensure their homes are in pristine condition.

By following these tips, an expert suggested this will reduce any time-wasting. Moverly CEO Gemma Young advised: “Nobody likes to have their time wasted and it can be particularly frustrating during a stressful life stage such as the property selling process.

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“You might think it’s just 28 minutes lost, but across the property sector as a whole this adds up to hundreds of hours over the course of a year.

“The best way to get ahead of time wasters during the viewing process is to ensure your agent has properly qualified any buyer before they enter your home.

“The proper provision of upfront information is another way of sorting the wheat from the chaff in this respect, as it provides buyers with all of the relevant details required to help them form a comprehensive initial view of your property.

"So whilst you may still get the odd time-waster keen to nose around, you should also benefit from a streamlined viewings process when it comes to serious buyer interest.”