The first thing you have to know before hosting a property viewing is understanding the procedure. By knowing this procedure, you can display your professionalism and avoid confusing your Chinese clients. Generally speaking, property viewing can be customized based on your clients’ needs and preferences but will include the following steps. 

Schedule an Appointment

Before hosting a property viewing, a professional real estate agent will check their Chinese clients’ schedule. This means, you need to come up with a specific date and time beforehand. If you’re opening a public property viewing, you can try picking days such as the weekends or when most of your clients are not occupied with work. If you’re hosting a private property viewing for one or several Chinese clients, you can try asking them about their availability and match it with yours. Having a schedule is important to avoid inability to attend property viewing due to one’s schedule. 

Start with Proper Greeting

After coming to the property and meeting your Chinese client, you should start with a proper greeting as a sign of respect. Try to be welcoming without being too friendly with your Chinese clients. Usually, you can also try to greet them in Chinese with the following phrases.

• 您好，欢迎您

nín hǎo, huānyíng nín

(Hello, welcome) 

1.  您好，很高兴认识您

nín hǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín

(Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you) 

• 欢迎您来看房

huānyíng nín lái kàn fáng

(Welcome, thank you for coming to view the property)

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Property Tour and Highlight

During this process, you will try and give a proper tour to your Chinese clients. Try to avoid using complicated terms to ensure that even amateur clients can understand your explanation. While giving a tour, you need to highlight and demonstrate the main features of the property to convince them. In an attempt to ‘save your face’ in front of Chinese clients, you should avoid mentioning too many weaknesses. If there are any issues regarding the property, try coming up with several suggestions to ensure Chinese clients’ comfort. 

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Closing and Follow Up 

After you’re done with property viewing with your Chinese clients, be sure to appreciate the time they’ve given to come to the place. Before parting ways, it is important to let them ask questions and provide the best answer possible. At times, Chinese clients may need more time to think about their decisions. During this time, you should not force them to make a decision immediately. Therefore, you need to follow up with an email or any preferred way of communication. 

Chinese clients tend to have certain etiquette rules that you need to follow. If you’re not from a Chinese family or not familiar with these rules, there is a possibility that you accidentally make them uncomfortable or disrespected. When facing a Chinese client for a property viewing, here are some things that you should avoid doing. 

Mentioning Unlucky Elements

In Chinese culture, lucky and unlucky elements play a big part in clients’ purchase decisions. As a property agent, avoiding unlucky elements such as numbers, colors, and even furniture arrangements can help Chinese clients feel at ease. Here are some of the most common unlucky elements that you need to avoid while convincing your Chinese clients to buy a property. 

1. The number 4 sounds similar to death. Addresses, floor numbers, prices, and dates should not be associated with this number. 
2. Aligning the front and back door of a building can symbolize luck coming out straight after entering a building. 
3. Placing stairways in front of the main door can be considered as a symbol of financial loss. 
4. Placing obstacles near the front door can block positive energy and invite misfortune. 

Coming Unprepared

Many real estate agents fail to sell their properties because they are not prepared to present their offer. As a real estate agent, Chinese clients will expect you to master the property you’re showing, including its features, downside, and recommendation. Therefore, real estate agents usually will review their properties beforehand and take note on what needs to be highlighted and addressed during property viewing with Chinese clients. Having this confidence will help your Chinese clients feel more assured about buying your property. 

Showing Unprofessionalism

Another thing to avoid as a real estate agent is showing unprofessionalism through speaking manners and gestures. Since your goal is to sell properties to Chinese clients, you should show them some respect while being welcoming. Even so, property agents still need to avoid being overly friendly, especially if your Chinese clients are not people you know personally. Furthermore, real estate agents should show confident gestures and mannerism to help convince Chinese clients about their credibility. 

Holding a successful property viewing is a key to success as a real estate agent. By highlighting properties’ features, Chinese clients are more likely to make a purchase. Whether you’re hosting a private or public property viewing, the following tips can help you with your Chinese clients. 

Understand Chinese Culture 

Chinese clients usually have a specific set of culture and etiquettes that may seem foreign for non-native real estate agents. This aspect may include elements such as dressing etiquette, which can be a great way to leave a good lasting impression. Furthermore, Chinese cultures also extend to welcoming gestures such as offering business cards respectfully and offering drinks. 

Prepare Beforehand

As a real estate agent, it is important for you to properly prepare yourself before meeting your Chinese clients. This can be achieved by learning the pros and cons of the properties you’re trying to sell. If there are any issues that can cause discomfort, try to have a solution on hand to show your professionalism. Aside from understanding the properties you’re trying to sell, understanding your Chinese clients’ profile is another aspect to keep in mind. For example, you can try to recall your clients’ preferences and priorities. 

Communicate in Chinese 

Speaking in Chinese with your Chinese clients can be a great way to show your competitive advantage compared to other real estate agents. The ability to speak in their native language will not only help you build rapport, but also avoid misunderstandings due to language barriers. If you don’t have any skills in speaking Chinese, another alternative that you can try to provide a better experience for your Chinese clients is by hiring an interpreter. Although this option may be more expensive, hiring a Chinese interpreter can help both parties reach an understanding quicker.