Viewing Houses - Advice Needed

4Chickens

I am viewing 7 properties today. The prices range from £170k to £200k.

What questions should I be asking the EA

What level of offer should I put in (I just accepted 8% below asking on mine)

I am nervous about dragging this out because my buyer is a FTB.

Please give as much advice/comments as you can.

MX5huggy

Wow 7 properties 1 day thats going to leave you in a spin as to what each one is like at the end of the day!

I would not ask the EA anything as soon as they open their mouths........

Just look round and maybe take some photos so you have a chance of remembering each one. Then focus on which one's you are really intrested in.

4Chickens

Thanks for the reply.

EA is bringing the brochure for each house and I will use them to make notes on.
The ones that really take my fancy will get a second viewing on Sunday with my OH.

Should I find out the following in order to consider my offer:

How long the house has been on the market
Has it been reduced at all, if so, when and by how much
Have there been any offers made at all
What is the upward chain like

etc etc etc

If you think of anything else let me know

lostinrates

Three in a day I consider a lot! I tend to make notes on the floor plan, or draw a floor plan as I go round if one hasn't been provided.

TBH what you need to ask and look for depends on your requrments to a degree! For a quick move though, sellers situation seems paramount.

chickmug

MX5huggy wrote: »

Wow 7 properties 1 day thats going to leave you in a spin as to what each one is like at the end of the day!

I would not ask the EA anything as soon as they open their mouths........

Just look round and maybe take some photos so you have a chance of remembering each one. Then focus on which one's you are really intrested in.

Yes 7 in one day means at the end of the day they will all merge together in your memory. When we got requests to view numerous houses we used to say do a 'drive by' first and then shortlist from that. Those who insisted on doing a lot rarely got round them all, didn't show, didn't tell us, or the seller, and left furious seller waiting in after having tidied up.

I am against accompanied viewings anyway as usually it is a casual part timer who will know bugge* all whereas the owner will be able to answer the questions straight off.

I would point out some EA's are OK so don't lets call them all "as soon as they open their mouths ........." ????

russelsprout_2

7 in a day is no problem. I think I went through about 15 in 3 days, most of which I instantly disliked. That left a few that I liked and they were the ones that stuck in my memory the best.

I'd consider viewing some that you're pretty certain aren't what you want so as to make sure that you're sure on what you want. First viewings are pretty much that, take a quick swizz around and get a feel for the place. Once you've found some you like go back and see them again and then get the questions flowing.

Best viewings I had were with the sellers. Got to ask about their situation, house history, what their bottom line is etc. The house I ended up buying was the one I knew I wanted and was lucky enough to spend a long time with the seller as we walked around the house. Hopefully you'll get excited about a place and your heart starts getting ahead of your, err, head. At that point get some family/friends to take a look around for an objective point of view.

Have fun - it's the most enjoyable part of the whole house buying process!!!

4Chickens

Thanks

I am seeing 5 properties with the one estate agent and he's going to be the chauffer (cheeky). Then a further 2 properties with another EA. On Saturday I am seeing another 2 properties with another EA.
My house has been spotlessly clean for the last 6 month. Today it looks like a bomb hit it. I keep thinking I will do the housework this weekend but I will be house viewing other peoples lovely shiny clean houses instead.
If the property owners are there during the viewings I will ask them questions but I think its going to come down the second viewings on Sunday.
I'm like a kid in a sweet shop at the mo:D

Running_Horse

If you are anything like me and my wife, most will feel like a compromise, and instinctively one will feel like the one.

JayZed

It's noon and you haven't even started yet... you're going to have a busy afternoon! I agree that at this stage you should simply be filtering the wheat from the chaff and making a mental shortlist for second viewings. The second viewings are when you should be asking the detailed questions.

4Chickens

Won't start viewing until 3.30pm and OH has phoned to say that he is taking the afternoon off to come with me. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I will be needing some vino this evening .

Quick question: The EA that we are doing 5 of the viewings with is the one that marketed and sold our house. Will this make him more forthcoming with info?

mlz1413

Ensure you have property details for each house and write on them, ie small bathroom, no storage cupboard, lovely garden view etc little things you notice or else by the end you will struggle to remember which is which.

I once viewed 12 in one day, there were 15 to see but I fell asleep in the car! I went with my mum as she was moving about 100 miles away and she wanted a 'feel' for the town and the properties, at the end of the day we couldn't agree on which house had had which feature.

Don't pressurize yourself to buy, if the sale means more than the move then agree to go into rented so you don't panic buy, my mum was always moving and every house was perfect.... if it had such and such done, which could range from a new kitchen to an extension!

As for EA's take each one as an indiviual, some will offer advise others will tell you what they think will make you buy, ultimately it's your money and your lives and not the EA's so take your time, ask questions and be ensure it feels right.

Good Luck