How do I prepare my guest rooms and house for buyer viewings while guests are staying?

Plan viewings around the guests, not the other way around. Look at your occupancy and pick times when several rooms are empty, such as late morning after check-out. Offer the buyer a tour of the vacant rooms, the shared spaces and the family area, and let photos cover the occupied ones.

If a buyer must see an occupied room, ask the guest in advance, offer a time that suits them, and accept a no. Never open a door without permission. Tell the buyer to keep voices low and the visit short.

Your own living area needs the same planning. Tidy it, remove personal papers and decide in advance what you will show. Keep the buyer from seeing guest information, booking records or keys unless an agreement is in place. Your lawyer can advise on a confidentiality agreement before sensitive records are shared. Afterward, check in with guests so their stay feels unchanged. Keep a short script ready for guests who ask about a stranger in the hall. A friendly line such as “a visitor is looking at the property” is true and calm. Never imply a change guests might worry about. Afterward, thank guests who put up with the visit.

Key takeaways

• Schedule viewings around check-out and housekeeping.
• Get guest consent for any occupied room, and accept refusals.
• Hold back private records until a confidentiality agreement is signed.
• Prepare a calm, truthful line for guests who ask about visitors.