Are They Just Browsing or Ready to Buy? How to Spot Serious Interest
If you’ve been on the market for a while, you’ll know the guessing game that follows every viewing. Did they like it? Are they about to make an offer? Here’s how to read between the lines and spot the signs that someone’s genuinely interested in your home.
If you’re selling your home right now, you’ll know how hard it can be to tell whether viewers genuinely liked it. You tidy up, let them view, hope they’ll see what you see, and then wait for the call from your agent, wondering if this could finally be the one!
It’s completely normal to feel that mix of excitement and uncertainty. After all, you’re letting strangers into your home to make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. They’re judging the space, picturing themselves living there, and trying to stay polite all at once. It’s awkward for them, and it can be just as uncomfortable for you.
The tricky part? Some buyers play it cool. Even if they love it, they’ll often keep a straight face so they don’t give too much away before negotiating. That’s why it’s worth knowing a few tell tale signs that suggest your viewers might be seriously interested.
1. They ask to see parts of the house again
If they want a second look at certain rooms, the garden, or even step back inside before leaving, that’s a strong signal. It means they’re visualising how they’d use the space, and they haven’t ruled it out.
2. They ask specific questions
If a viewer stays quiet throughout, chances are they’re not feeling it. Genuinely interested buyers usually want to know about things like the boiler, local schools, broadband speeds or even council tax bands. When people are picturing themselves living there, the questions start flowing.
3. Their body language gives them away
Smiles, glances between partners, or comments like “this would be perfect for…” are all good signs. Your agent should sense when someone’s connecting emotionally with your home, it’s those little moments between the lines of polite conversation.
4. They ask about your plans
When viewers ask things like, “How soon are they hoping to move?” or “Would they consider leaving certain items?” it’s a positive indicator. If they weren’t interested, your onward plans wouldn’t matter to them. While it’s never an exact science, paying attention during a viewing can give you a good sense of whether your property has made an impression.
If you’ve been having plenty of viewings but no offers, it could be time for a fresh approach. We spend a lot of time analysing buyer behaviour and helping sellers understand what’s really going on behind the scenes.
If you’d like an honest review of your current marketing or feedback from recent viewings, get in touch, we’ll happily take a look and give you our thoughts.
