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Viewing with no intent to buy

I have no intention of buying a house for at least another year, maybe 2, but I do like to keep my eye on the market and what is out there just in case something amazing pops up...

However, I haven't really thought about going to view anything because I don't really plan on buying..

How many of you go out and view properties, either just on the spur of the moment or just for something to fill a saturday afternoon?

I might start doing it for properties above or near my budget that look nice, but only if they're really taking my fancy!
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Comments

  • Zelie
    Zelie Posts: 773 Forumite
    I think that's incredibly rude. Putting vendors to all the trouble of tidying up for someone who is just taking the P.

    I've gone around areas I am interested and taken a look from the street to see what specific houses are like. But I wouldn't dream of making an appointment and getting people's hopes up when I have no intention of buying yet.

    Seriously, not cool.
  • Cat695
    Cat695 Posts: 3,647 Forumite
    i can't buy till at least July because my deposit is tied up till then....but I still view empty properties

    "time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted"...to quote a famous saying
    If you find yourself in a fair fight, then you have failed to plan properly


    I've only ever been wrong once! and that was when I thought I was wrong but I was right
  • fatpig_2
    fatpig_2 Posts: 631 Forumite
    Chris2685 wrote: »
    How many of you go out and view properties, either just on the spur of the moment or just for something to fill a saturday afternoon?
    !
    It's a excellent way of winding up estate agents. Make sure you make an offer afterwards, say at 50% of the asking price i.e one that you know won't be accepted. That really gets them going.
  • cuddlymarm
    cuddlymarm Posts: 2,251 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Hi

    Just a personal view but I think it is unfair playing at being a homebuyer. I think that if you aren't in a position to buy then you shouldn't view. Put yourself in other peoples shoes . They may be absolutely desperate to sell and you are being cruel getting other peoples hopes up.

    Just my view

    Cuddles:rotfl:

    Pay off by Xmas 2026 £0/ £2324.67
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    I see nothing wrong with looking at houses with an area - even if you're not ready to buy *right* now... but in the very near future.
    I think having viewed all the ones in an area within your budget plus 10% should keep you in good stead ...
    I've not viewed all the ones in my area yet - just all the ones within my price range - time to either spread the radius or the price.
  • RetroBob
    RetroBob Posts: 171 Forumite
    I did just this at the weekend and will do so again so that I get into practice about what to ask for. I am intending on buying soon but don't want to miss things, or fall in love with the first house I see (been warned off that!).

    For the record, I did exactly the same thing when I got my current job - applied for a couple of jobs I didn't want to get back into the swing of interviewing (had not done for 4 years); when the job I wanted came up, I aced the interview and got the job.
  • I put my house on the market last year and had so many time wasters - who had no intention of buying and just wanted a nose. It is so stressful trying to keep your house in tip top condition all of the time. I got so pipped off, I took the house of the market. It might be funny to wind the estate agents up - who do take the mick but it is not fair on the seller at all. And you might find something absolutely perfect for you and not be in a position yourself.
    Food and Smellies Shop target £50 pw - managed average of £49 per week in 2013 down to £38.90 per week in 2016
  • cuddlymarm
    cuddlymarm Posts: 2,251 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Hi Poppysarah

    I'm not haing a go at you. If you are seriously looking. But as someone that has moved house quite a few times I feel that it is wrong if you are just viwing because there is nothing on TV that afternoon.

    Cuddles:rotfl:

    Pay off by Xmas 2026 £0/ £2324.67
  • QTPie
    QTPie Posts: 1,373 Forumite
    Personally, no - I would only go and view if I had a fairly serious intention to buy.

    Certainly quite a few sellers go to a LOT of trouble to present their houses... I don't think it is fair to do that to someone if you really have no intention to buy: I wouldn't want it done to me, so I wouldn't do it to others. But that is me... :)

    QT
  • RetroBob
    RetroBob Posts: 171 Forumite
    I put my house on the market last year and had so many time wasters - who had no intention of buying and just wanted a nose. It is so stressful trying to keep your house in tip top condition all of the time. I got so pipped off, I took the house of the market. It might be funny to wind the estate agents up - who do take the mick but it is not fair on the seller at all. And you might find something absolutely perfect for you and not be in a position yourself.

    How did you know they were timewasters?
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