First time viewing question

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My partner and I have found a property we're interested in viewing.

This'll be the first time we've contacted an agent to arrange a viewing, and we're wondering:

- If there's anything we should be aware of/have available beforehand
- What questions the agent is likely to ask us

TIA.

more_money_for_me

You don't need to do anything before a viewing. It is simply enough to be interested in the property. Most people will go on a first viewing to get a feel for whether the area/house is what they thought it was. Many will then do a second viewing to check any specific details such as measuring whether beds will fit, checking how many sockets there are, etc etc. At the stage where you actually want to make an offer you will be asked to provide evidence you can pay for the property, so will need an offer of mortgage or a bank book with a hefty balance! The estate agent may well ask you about your financial position at the viewing, how much you give away is up to you, but bear in mind it is them you will be negotiating with on the price of the house at a later date.

girl_withno_name

When I've called they've wanted to know contact details mainly (name, address, telephone number), current position (first time buyers, property on market, etc.) and availability for viewings. Oh, and whether we'd like to make an appointment with their financial advisor (no)

I had been expecting more queries around our search criteria and for estate agents to then suggest other properties we might be interested in, but not once!

We prepared two sets of questions; one for first viewings, one for second viewings. Along with some 'research' questions for us to look into between viewings for any we were interested in.
Our first viewing questions included:

1. Is there full central heating?
2. Are the windows double glazed throughout?
3. How is the water heated? (Combi boiler, tank, etc.)
4. Are the walls and loft insulated?
5. Is the property freehold or leasehold?
6. Is the property connected the mains gas and mains drains?
7. How long have the sellers lived there and why are they moving?
8. What's the current position of the vendors (have they found a new house)?
9. How long has the property been on the market?
10. Have there been many viewers, or many offers?

Also for first viewings we kept an eye out for any signs of subsidence or damp, considered the condition of the surrounding properties and immediate area, checked there'd be enough storage space and power points as well as noting how well the property appeared to be maintained.

But then I know plenty of people (friends and colleagues) who've bought recently without such lists, maybe going more on gut feeling and falling in love with a property? Point being - as the previous poster said, you don't actually have to do anything before a first viewing and you don't have to ask any questions if you don't want to (or don't feel the information would be of importance / relevance to you).

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Thanks for replying.

girl_ withno_ name, did you get many probing questions from the agents during your viewings?

marlasinger

The only thing the agent asked us was if we had an agreement in principle for the mortgage. Aside from that, they just let us view in peace.

girl_withno_name

Expand wrote: »

Thanks for replying.

girl_ withno_ name, did you get many probing questions from the agents during your viewings?

No - we sometimes got asked what we thought at the end, but most of the time the agent was busy rushing off to their next viewing.

Thinking about it, one weekend we went to five viewings on the Saturday and each agent seemed more intent on dragging us of to (and selling to us) a completely different property! Maybe this tactic has taken over the telephone approach...

go_cat

Expand wrote: »

- What questions the agent is likely to ask us

TIA.

Yes would you like to see our financial advisor?
Answer: "no ":D