First time viewing properties

Nanao_2

I'm off to view a few properties tomorrow around the same area. I have around half hour to view each one, hope that's enough time - these are the first viewings for each property.

I've found lots of helpful advice here on the forums with regards to what I should ask and so on, I've copied and pasted lots of bits and now have a checklist that's really long!

Is there a rule in terms of what questions should be asked for the first visit as I don’t want to annoy the vendors with a million questions - I guess more general questions regarding why they are selling, if they’re in a chain, area, council tax, area, neighbours etc, and the more detailed questions about the property itself if we’re interested would be asked on the subsequent visits.
I know I sound very naive but I don’t know what to expect or do! I’m going with a few people including parents, but no one has experience with buying homes

googler

You're 'going with a few people including parents' ?????

How many of you? 5? 6?

I think what will annoy vendors more than anything will be a large party, apparently out for a family trip, traipsing through their house on the first viewing. They'll feel especially nervous about members of your group wandering around the house in ones and twos, for unless you're viewing HUGE houses, you won't get 5 or 6 people into one room at a time, and it'll be very difficult for the vendors to address you all as a group - and they'll end up repeating themselves to impart the same info to different folk in your party........

If you're buying for yourself, you should go round a few viewings to see what you like, decide on a shortlist, then take advisors and parents on a subsequent viewing....

casperlarue

I agree, I'm selling my house at the moment and I would be mighty concerned if a group of people turned up, especially as you've admited ".......but no one has experience with buying homes" Why are so many of you going then?

You would be better off going by yourself or with 1 other person maximum, have a look round each property in terms of layout, location, what it has to offer. You will get a 'gut feel' for each place as you walk round, some will be too small, too much work to do and so on.

Try not to be too swayed by their personal decoration, you are looking to buy a property and trust me it will look a lot different empty!

googler

Yes, exactly - if none of your group has experience in the field, why take them on the trip?

Nanao_2

Haha, guess I sound like a seller's worst nightmare!!

Thanks for the advice - the reason why the parents wanted to come along was because its our first time viewing properties. Would 3 be a bit too many then? I do think that leaving them behind until the subsequent visits is a good idea though.

SimonMrGreenWard

Less experience normally just means you need extra viewings. Most people buy property very infrequently, so very few have genuine experience in buying. Commonsense + asking questions on here will put you in the right direction.

Just go and look at property with whoever is going to live there, tell the estate agent as little as possible about your circumstances and refuse to see any of their mortgage people. Make shortlist, then take advisors along to those shortlisted (if any).

Good luck. Don't take a big parade of people. That just shouts "take advantage of me as I'm a naive buyer!"

Doshwaster

Buying a house is what you want not what your friends and family want. It's your decision. I wouldn't even think about taking parents (especially mine!) on a first viewing. Or second for that matter.

It's a good idea to take someone (especially if they are a builder or good at DIY) on a second viewing for a second opinion but they purpose of a first visit is to decide if the house is a "maybe" or "definitely not"

I'd also recommend writing up some notes on the viewing as soon as you leave the house. You may think you will remember it but after 10-20 viewings houses merge into each other.

casperlarue

Nanao wrote: »

Haha, guess I sound like a seller's worst nightmare!!

Thanks for the advice - the reason why the parents wanted to come along was because its our first time viewing properties. Would 3 be a bit too many then? I do think that leaving them behind until the subsequent visits is a good idea though.

Don't worry, we all have to start somewhere!

Like another poster has said just go along with whoever is going to live there with you (partner?) and remember the estate agent is working for the person who is selling the house so try to act 'not-very-interested' and 'well it's ok for the money'

You are a first time buyer, gold dust at the moment so you could well pick up a really good property at a decent price.

Good luck, enjoy!

Nanao_2

Thanks again everyone! I'll be living with my friend so she's coming along with me. Will let you know how I get on!

vet8

Personally, I think you will find half an hour per house more than enough. There is only so much you can see in each room and it is reckoned that most people make their minds up pretty quickly, it is the feel of it, the place just seems right or not.

As for questions, my real personal bugbear is people asking why I am selling. I feel it is a rude, personal question and a waste of breath. If the seller has some bad reason for selling, such as the house is falling down or the neighbours are ogres, they will not possibly answer the question honsetly, they want to sell. I find just a bit of a chat and see if you can get around to what their plans are works better. If you ask the question outright you might get the right answer, but probably not.

Chinkle

First viewings are about whether you like the place, best just to look around and get a first impression. Keep questions fairly general and don't look too keen.

I agree, only take the person your planning on living with, parents as well is overkill and won't be appreciated by the vendors.

If and when you like a place enough to go back that's when you go with your head on and ask more practical questions and have a closer look at things such as boiler, electrics, windows, plumbing etc.