estate agent has asked us to leave the house during a vewing, normal?

phoebe1989seb

irwellgirl wrote: »

We've (hopefully!) just sold our house and for every viewing including the survey my job was to pile the 4 year old, baby and dog into the car and drive around with all the surplus baby clutter until I got the 'all clear' from my husband- complete pain but it worked!

We also did this on a previous sale, but substitute three persian cats in baskets plus litter trays etc for the two kids and dog, lol!

Jangin

Yes, I always ensure the whole family including the dog are out. Equally, I hate going to view a house when the vendor and family are lounging about whilst the agent is leading the viewing.

p00hsticks

phoebe1989seb wrote: »

... plus litter trays etc for the two kids ....

novel - I used nappies ;-)

arbrighton

DRP wrote: »

Yes. Very normal.

I think i would consider it very unusual (abnormal even ) to have the vendors present during a first viewing and I would certainly request that they weren't around if/when I requested a 2nd viewing prior to making an offer.

We were told by the agents that they preferred to take viewers round themselves, so for each viewing, we made sure it was clean and tidy then popped out (with the exception of the time the completely odd bloke turned up early with them while OH was evicting a robin that had flown in through an open window). No kids or dogs, just them wanting to do their job.
Other agents who we got valuations from in the area would have done the same.

Have to say, we're unimpressed with the lack of effort from agents up here. ALmost too much effort to arrange the viewing and then the poor vendor has to let you traipse round and view their house.

Torry_Quine

When I sold my house I did all the viewings including one second viewing myself. I'm not paying someone to do something I can do myself!

PasturesNew

googler wrote: »

I'd run a mile from a house with surly teenagers and dogs, so

Another vote for this.

There's nothing more offputting than being in somebody else's house and feeling awkward and that you're in the way..... I'd end up not really looking at the house, but panicking to get out and run.

PasturesNew

Torry_Quine wrote: »

When I sold my house I did all the viewings including one second viewing myself. I'm not paying someone to do something I can do myself!

Well that's lovely, but most people have to be at work full-time and out of the house 12 hours/day... possibly only returning when it's dark... so most people'd not be available for viewings at the whim of a potential buyer.

Most first viewings are during daytime hours... and second ones too, often.

Better_Days

pinkshoes wrote: »

When doing a second viewing, buyers need the chance to have a good look around, make (verbal!) comments, chat about things etc... some of which they do NOT want over-hearing by the vendor!

Exactly - I looked at a property that stank of cigarette smoke and the layout was awkward plus there was a ghastly (to me anyway) fireplace. What I really would have liked to do was to go round 'thinking out loud' to my DH regarding how we could change what we didn't like. Hard to do with the vendor there, and she was a sweet person and I didn't want to offend her unnecessarily.

thistledome

OP was merely asking if this is normal procedure. A simple yes or no would suffice, but judgemental comments are much more fun aren't they

OP, I don't know if it's normal or not but I've never been asked to leave a property when I've been selling, nor have I ever asked for it to be done in a property I'm viewing to buy. I think you should ask the Estate Agent why, in case it's something that you need to know. It might not be, but you'll never know unless you ask.

lovinituk

It could be the estate agent who doesn't want the buyers and sellers communicating directly now that a sale looks likely! It will make it easier for them to make up some bullsh*t later!!