Open day the perfect way to find new home

By Heather Rose
Posted: 2009/04/20

AN OPEN house event with a difference is to be staged in Scotland later this month.

Rather than being a neighbourly or family get-together, this event is being organised to help the housing market gain momentum.

It has been arranged by national estate agency Strutt and Parker following a successful open house day which they staged in England last month.

Enabling potential buyers to see and compare a range of properties without having to make a specifi c appointment to view, it will also make life easier for potential sellers as they can be at the ready to welcome a collection of viewers during the six-hour period.

Andrew Smith, of Strutt and Parker in Edinburgh, explained:

"There won't be pressure to rush around just to get to your next appointment. Equally, if you visit one that doesn't fit the bill you can immediately move on to view another."

By the beginning of this month the agency had more than 100 properties on their books scheduled to be open during the open house day, which is taking place on Sunday, April 26. A wide range of properties will be involved, including townhouses, country cottages and farmhouses.

Price range is equally varied, spanning from around the £100,000 level to £1.5million. Strutt and Parker staged their first ever open day in January. It took place in Kent with another put into action south of the Border on March 15.

Both helped generate interest and, importantly, proved a vital stepping stone to creating deals.

Michael Fiddes, head of estate agency with Strutt and Parker, explained: "In Kent we had the equivalent of three months' viewing in one day and registered hundreds of new applicants. We have already received a number of good offers and tied up deals on some of the properties that took part."

What added to this success story, explains Mr Fiddes, is the fact buyers were able to view as many houses as they wanted and spend as long as they wanted studying each property.

One of those who took advantage of the firm's open day in Kent was Francois Feuillat and his partner.

Although they live in London they were renting a bolthole in Kent but were keen to buy.

Then the open house event transformed their ambition into reality. The couple visited fi ve properties including a four-bedroom country retreat deep in the North Downs, surrounded by woodland. They loved it, and bought it.

Among the Scottish properties involved in the forthcoming open day is the Edwardian home of Duncan and Eileen Walker in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire. Called Holmhurst, it is for sale at offers over £475,000.

Duncan explained why the idea of the open day appealed to them. "We just like the idea of getting several viewings and the house seen by a wider audience in a short space of time, " he said.

The Scottish open house event will take place between 10am and 4pm on April 26. Although no specifi c appointment is required, would-be buyers do have to register with the agency and receive a ticket which will gain them admittance to properties.

Information: www.struttandparker.com/scotlandopenday