Is there any viewing etiquette?

Errata

Just treat other people's houses in the same way you'd want them to treat yours.
Check out the traffic noise, parking, ask what certificates they have for electrics, boiler maintenance, extensions.
Most importantly, ask why they're selling, as in 'Your house is fabulous, are you upsizing / downsizing / emigrating?'

yoyoegg

Tomorrow I have 6 viewings

Too many IMHO, you'll not remember what you saw where and have lost enthusiasm at the end.

Put on a 'poker face' and never indicate you like the place, never mention what your budget is.

Continually undermine the seller's confidence as you go from room to room by making asides "very tired decor, looks bigger in the pictures, are those electrics legal?, can you smell damp? etc."

If the seller asks about your intentions, just say "not in a rush, it's a buyer's market as you know", "the price has to be right, of course", "was really expecting new kitchen and bathroom at this price", "wasn't looking to take on a project..." etc.

Leave, shaking your head and writing in a small notebook.

Biggles

Lister wrote: »

If you're viewing six, take a little notebook and make notes about each one as you view to remind yourself.

It's amazing how quickly properties all start blurring into one when you're looking at loads.

Definitely take a notebook and mark each page, in advance, with areas to check and questions to ask. There's nothing worse than thinking afterwards, "Liked that house but forgot to ask, eg, whether the carpets/curtains were included or whether there was an onward chain."

G_M

Go to the library and borrow a book on house buying. You'll get lots of tips/lists on what to do/look for, as well as having a guide to help you through the whole process.

orcocan

Ciderarmy1987 wrote: »

One more for an agent:
How long has the house been on the market? have there been any price reductions. Is the vendor open to offers?

ask and interpret as follows:
"has been on the market for a couple of weeks" = 2 months
"has been on the market for probably four or five weeks" = 6 months
"has been on the market for probably three or four months" = more than a year

you're not intruding, they're asking you to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds, be polite and feel free to look into the fridge, wardrobes, open windows, taps etc etc

thelem

robedha1 wrote: »

Is there any viewing etiquette?

In short: Ask what will help you decide if you want the property (and what it is worth), but respect the property and keep it clean.

Ask to open cupboards, take photos, flush loo, test radiators etc, but if you are refused then assume that there is a problem that the vendor doesn't want you to see.

lessonlearned

yoyoegg wrote: »

Too many IMHO, you'll not remember what you saw where and have lost enthusiasm at the end.

Put on a 'poker face' and never indicate you like the place, never mention what your budget is.

Continually undermine the seller's confidence as you go from room to room by making asides "very tired decor, looks bigger in the pictures, are those electrics legal?, can you smell damp? etc."

If the seller asks about your intentions, just say "not in a rush, it's a buyer's market as you know", "the price has to be right, of course", "was really expecting new kitchen and bathroom at this price", "wasn't looking to take on a project..." etc.

Leave, shaking your head and writing in a small notebook.

And.....if you do behave in such a rude and obnoxious manner - then be prepared to be shown the door.

lessonlearned

I agree 6 viewings in a day is going to be a bit too much.

I agree take a notebook and jot down a few things - after you leave the house but whilst the viewing is still fresh in your memory.

Unless you have travelled some considerable distance or are under time constraints it is better to make the first viewing quite short, and then go back for a second longer viewing.

First viewings are about compiling a short list, weeding out the obvious no hopers. So you won't need to waste your time by going into too much detail at this stage.

Then go back for second viewings for the ones that appealed the most.

The second viewing is the time to get down to the nitty gritty, to ask all your questions, to check all the nooks and crannies and to ask to see things like the boiler and the cooker in operation.

This is the time to ask to see certificates etc, to discuss things like council tax, boundaries, neighbours etc and just generally anything you think you would like to know.

You will find that by going back a second time you will notice things you missed first time. Also the Vendor will realise that you are giving their property serious consideration and they are more likely to give you the time and attention and answer your questions more readily.

Also, it is more likely that at a second viewing the Vendor will allow you to walk around their house without following you around. You will feel less rushed and can take your time to look more closely.

Just be polite and considerate and yes, definitely offer to remove your shoes.

moneyistooshorttomention

yoyoegg wrote: »

Too many IMHO, you'll not remember what you saw where and have lost enthusiasm at the end.

Put on a 'poker face' and never indicate you like the place, never mention what your budget is.

Continually undermine the seller's confidence as you go from room to room by making asides "very tired decor, looks bigger in the pictures, are those electrics legal?, can you smell damp? etc."

If the seller asks about your intentions, just say "not in a rush, it's a buyer's market as you know", "the price has to be right, of course", "was really expecting new kitchen and bathroom at this price", "wasn't looking to take on a project..." etc.

Leave, shaking your head and writing in a small notebook.

You forgot a bit.

"Wait for vendors helpful foot making sure you get out the front door. Listen at door afterwards for their comment of 'What a prat' ":rotfl:

Sagz_2

6 viewings a day is do-able, but be organised. I'm house hunting 3-4 hours drive away from my current location so have had to see up to 8 houses a day. I Have a checklist to make notes on with things like: area, street, kerb appeal, decor, kitchen, bathroom, windows, heating, electrics, garden, off rd parking, neighbours, sellers position. I write up my notes in the car on the way to the next house and then sit down in the evening to decide if any house makes it to the short list, second viewing stage.

Now if I could just find a buyer who didn't pull out I'd be happy!