Viewings...

cbrown372

becominganobsessivesaver wrote: »

I would love to know where in the country all these perfect buyers are, who will pay full asking of £175k for a 2 up 2 down in an area where vandalism is an issue? Seems too cheap for a desirable, fast, moving area in the south east, and i thought most other areas were struggling. I'm starting to wonder whether it's under a bridge with a field of goats nearby?

I'm slightly concerned that the user seems to think a prospective buyer will note her pulses/grains in the kitchen and instantly form an opinion on the seller as being a healthy eater and expect them to ignore the fact it needs a new kitchen, plastering, possible damp problems, nasty neighbour and localised graffiti?

I live in Scotland where the norm is to sell yourself with your solicitor to tie up the legalities once you accept an offer. Never had any problems in buying and selling in this way. Once took an offer slightly lower because I liked the couple who were buying but the difference was only a few hundred and I could afford to do so.

Contessa

lessonlearned wrote: »

It's not spam, I no longer do this for a living, I am not charging a fee.

The reason I asked Contessa to pm me was because I didn't want to hijack the thread and clog it up with a "one to one" consultation. That's all.

I'm also a trained beauty therapist (Is there no end to this woman's talents :rotfl::rotfl:). I contribute to another thread and often get PM'd with a question. No-one, but no-one has ever accused me of spamming before.

If you check my profile you will see I have not linked my details to a website. I am selling nothing. I have no ulterior motives and no axes to grind. Why do you consider my post to be spam.

You seemed lost and confused about your forthcoming foray into the property maze. Myself and a number of other posters have offered you advice and guidance as part of a general discussion.

I only mentioned my experience to lend weight to my comments because you seem to set such low store by my suggestions.

Really, money, you are a very prickly individual, far too quick to cynicism. Such a doubting Thomas.

I have chatted on here whilst resting from my Herculean labours in moving house. I've shared my opinions and experiences with you and hopefully given you some sound advice.

You can take heed of the comments and advice you have been given, not just by me but others too who have given very generously of their time, knowledge and experience or you can go your own sweet way.

Take it or leave it - it's all the same to me.

I hate to say this but you sometimes come over as an embittered harpie, cynical and mistrusting to a fault.

I act as a mentor to several people, advising a number of investors on their property portfolios. I do it for free and have done it for years. Of course they often do favours for me, that's how this business called life works.

What I've been doing on here is merely an extension of my mentoring.

Are you unfamiliar with the concept of mentoring. It's all about guiding and helping people, often a way of "putting back" into society.

Can you not accept that many people are prepared to help people with no thought of reward or recompense.

Or.....are we all guilty of spamming.

And Contessa appreciates your help and advice! A spam post is one that includes specific advertising, website, email address, phone number etc. Please don't accuse Lessonlearned of this as she is not doing so. A thriving community or society is one in which the individuals are willing to help each other, freely, and so it continues. It breaks down when individuals don't. So, in this instance LL has knowledge ( of selling houses)-she could charge for it, and has in the past, but in this instance, she gives it freely to the community (MSE forum)-it doesn't harm her by giving it, and others (myself for one ) benefit from it. They in turn pass on their knowledge or help etc. to others on this forum or other fora. The principle is simple, part of many cultures, and makes the world a better place-well, certainly sustains MSE fora.

phoebe1989seb

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Now I just have to be nosey and ask at what point you realised your viewer was ******. Had you seen his photo in the papers and recognised him when he turned up and thought "Damned if I do and damned if I dont" as regards whether to continue with the viewing appointment?

Also curious as to what excuse you made not to sell the house to him - if he decided he wanted it that is?

Well, to be perfectly honest whilst he had been convicted (and imprisoned) his sentence was later quashed (followed by retrial etc etc.....don't want to give too much away here as I'm already sure some posters will know who I mean ) and the jury (figuratively speaking) is still out over whether he was guilty or not....

Anyhoo, our EA did the viewings when we were selling and when the appointment for their first viewing was made I thought nothing of it as the surname was relatively common. At the end of the viewing the EA gave me a call - I was at my parents' and DH was at work), saying the viewers had some questions for me. I duly returned home and immediately thought his face seemed awfully familiar. At the end of our Q & A sesh the couple said they intended to place an offer and could we exchange email details - his name gave the game away but to confirm I checked on Google images and there he was.

Next day they offered and we accepted as they were cash buyers (plus they weren't bothered about having a survey done and wanted to complete in six weeks - which they did) we were happy to go with them. It was only when he arranged to pop round one winter's evening to do some measuring-up that I became a little concerned, especially as DH wasn't able to be around for moral support :eek: Still no harm was done and who knows, maybe he was innocent after all

lessonlearned

DaftyDuck wrote: »

JimmytheWig

Oddly, I'm not in agreement with the above posters views on this - even though I was the one who admitted to being "30 mins from viewing ready, with a polished knob and knocker"... the door, on the door...

Oo-er missus....:rotfl::rotfl:

JimmyTheWig

cbrown372 wrote: »

I'm slightly concerned that the user seems to think a prospective buyer will note her pulses/grains in the kitchen and instantly form an opinion on the seller as being a healthy eater and expect them to ignore the fact it needs a new kitchen, plastering, possible damp problems, nasty neighbour and localised graffiti?

I think it's all about giving a good impression. I don't think anyone's going to think "pulses/grains in the kitchen, I'll buy this house". But they might subconciously equate the pulses/grains in the kitchen with the vendors being "good people" and think "the area is a bit scummy, but good people live around here too".

Similar, in some ways, to clearing out the rubbish from your car before an MOT. No mechanic is going to say "nice and tidy, I'll pass this one". But they might think "oh my god, they obviously don't look after their car - won't be surprised to find stuff wrong with it" and proceed to find faults because they were expecting them.

JimmyTheWig

Another question. Not really on topic, but worth asking while we're all here.
What's the ettiquette with "offers in excess of"?
I know areas are different and all houses are different, etc, and the only real answer is to offer what it is worth to you. I know there is no hard and fast rule about offering, say, 10% less than asking price. But in general if there was a house on for £350k I would be happy offering £320k or £330k as an opening gambit.

We've seen one advertised as "Offers in excess of £350,000". All other factors (e.g. what it's actually worth) aside, what would be a reasonable first offer? £350,001? How much "in excess" are they likely to be wanting? Would it be rude to offer £330k or £340k?

HariboJunkie

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Another question. Not really on topic, but worth asking while we're all here.
What's the ettiquette with "offers in excess of"?
I know areas are different and all houses are different, etc, and the only real answer is to offer what it is worth to you. I know there is no hard and fast rule about offering, say, 10% less than asking price. But in general if there was a house on for £350k I would be happy offering £320k or £330k as an opening gambit.

We've seen one advertised as "Offers in excess of £350,000". All other factors (e.g. what it's actually worth) aside, what would be a reasonable first offer? £350,001? How much "in excess" are they likely to be wanting? Would it be rude to offer £330k or £340k?

I'm in Scotland where we have the "offers over" system (though since the crash we are seeing more "offers in the region of" and "fixed price" and "guide price" scenarios.

Any house we have ever offered on has been offers over but we have always gone in with a lower offer than the asking price first then ended up paying just a few grand over the asking price. However we have been outbid on houses where several people have offered so it goes to a closing date with sealed bids. In that situation most people offer between ten and 20 percent over the asking price to secure the property.

As you say it is only worth what you want to pay so I would go in with a reasonable offer whether it's on or below the asking price.

JimmyTheWig

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Any house we have ever offered on has been offers over but we have always gone in with a lower offer than the asking price first then ended up paying just a few grand over the asking price.

Thanks HariboJunkie, that's helpful to know.

Have people in England had similar experiences, or is it different here?

Davesnave

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

We've seen one advertised as "Offers in excess of £350,000". All other factors (e.g. what it's actually worth) aside, what would be a reasonable first offer? £350,001? How much "in excess" are they likely to be wanting? Would it be rude to offer £330k or £340k?

It's only reasonable to offer what you genuinely want to pay, having seen it. It probably helps if the offer is put in writing with a brief list of reasons why it is what it is. The agent, if not the vendor, can then see that there is some reasoning behind it....and maybe work on the vendor.

From experience, I know how easily one can become offended by an offer somewhat less than one's bottom line, but equally, I've learned that in only a few short months that 'very disappointing' offer can look quite acceptable!

DaftyDuck

I've never liked the "offers in excess.." and tend to find it puts me off. (Even the bleedin' agent doesn't know what the house is worth.. )

In a rapidly rising market, or where there is intense pressure for a particular type of house (school location; last of five sea-view flats, that kind of thing), then, yes, I can see a point.

As a purchaser, I'd still be offering less than the "in excess", if I'd bothered to do a viewing, which would be less than likely.

In my area, only one agent does this as standard, and they are the worst agency, with the cheapest stock, and one of the highest commissions.

I do agree with the general view; what's the house worth to you? I'd never bid high because I loved a house (not at first), but I'd certainly put in a low offer on a non-perfect match as a starter. It's worked for me on a couple of occasions.