Vendor not present at viewing

canaster

Friend of mine went to view a house today. The estate agent showed him around and told him that the vendors had gone out as they did not want to be present when viewings were taking place.

The EA was asked why the vendors were selling and said he did not know why. He was asked what the neighbours were like; and said he did not know that either.

Friend liked the house and asked the EA if he could approach the vendors directly to get more information. The EA said No! negotiations had to take place through the office.

There was no "For Sale" sign outside the house and my friend had a rather uncomfortable feeling about the viewing.

I don't know what to make of this. First impression is to get suspicious and recommend that he leave it alone. But the house was just what the friend was looking for and I was wondering if there may be a legitimate reason why the vendors would not want to negotiate personally with a prospective buyer.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

sonastin

Firstly, estate agents will always insist all negotiations go through them as they're worried that you'll come to some sort of side deal and cut them out. They often claim that vendors don't want to deal with buyers to make sure that you don't bypass any games they're planning on playing.

Secondly, vendors not home for viewing isn't that unusual. I wasn't home for any of the viewings of the house I sold. I also prefer to view houses with EAs than with the vendor present but that is a matter of personal choice. The vendor might just be uncomfortable dealing with prospective buyers which is part of what they are paying an EA for. I wouldn't necessarily consider it to be suspicious.

hcb42

they might just not like doing viewings!

tell him to go around again, knock on neighbours door etc, have a quick chat...

jjlandlord

The vendor not being present during viewing is the norm.

As for the agent not wanting your friend to negotiate direct with the vendor, that's also normal considering that this is his job to handle potential buyers.

KRB2725

I don't think it's strange at all. I've only ever been present for 1 viewing when I've sold homes (and that was only because it was a Sunday).

I've also never asked (although have ocasionally been told) why a house is up for sale. If they want to sell and I want to buy, then I really don't feel the need to know about the reasons behind it.

G_M

Talk to the neighbours.

In fact I always do this irrespective of whether I've met the vendors. It's useful to know what your future neighbours are like, and they also often know a lot about the house, the street, the area, the problems etc.

And they are more likely to tell you honestly than the vendors who just want to sell!

Milkmen and postment are useful to talk to too.

And pop round in the evening. You don't need to go in the house - just check out the street for noise, kids, pubs etc at night time!

And talk to the local Planning Dept. They'll tell you stuff informally that they'd never put in a formal 'search' document.

RadoJo

There are plenty of reasons why the vendors might not want to be there for viewings - perhaps they don't want to sell and would find it hard to watch people looking around, perhaps they are really busy or very private people or maybe they are having to move due to difficult or emotional circumstances and do not want to put themselves through any more hassle than they absolutely have to. Unless there have been any disputes involving official bodies, there is no way you'll find out what the neighbours are really like from asking the vendors, so that's a bit of a red herring too, although you could always pop round and meet them for yourselves and ask them anything you'd want to know about the area.
Personally, I wouldn't let it put me off, but if your friends think there is something dodgy going on then they have to do whatever they feel is right for them.

canaster

Thank you for your very helpful replies. Definitely will recommend that he does a little more research. The house was what he was looking for.

googler

canaster wrote: »

I was wondering if there may be a legitimate reason why the vendors would not want to negotiate personally with a prospective buyer.

They're shy and/or timid
They are nervous about people they don't know
They've been burned before - in a previous sale, they got into negotiation with an aggressive buyer who cajoled them into things they weren't happy with
They're not good negotiators
They don't want to see/hear people criticising their house
etc
etc


Honestly, it could be all manner of things.

KateLiana27

I don't think it's suspicious - I actually would prefer not to develop a personal relationship with a potential buyer, it gets in the way of what is usually better being kept a neutral business deal. But the EA should be prepared to take down their questions, check with the vendor, and get back to them with the replies.

DVardysShadow

Well, contrary to the advice above, the great majority of viewings I have had, the vendor has been present - I think in every occupied house.

And I don't think it is out of order to expect to talk with the vendor. Discussions about the property should not be confused with negotiations.