How long do you take 'viewing' a property?

lessonlearned

Tancred - what makes you think a brand new house doesn't issues. As an ex new build negotiator I can tell that they do.Plenty.

Do you seriously think that a few photos on Rightmove and a brief description tells you everything you need to know......

They don't show the factory next door, the motorway at the end of the road, the next door neighbour's rubbish tip of a garden.

Before I even request a viewing I have already done plenty of prep. I will have checked out sale prices, crime statistics, and possible environmental issues. I will have done a drive by.

Only then, when the house has passed it's first hurdles, will I request a viewing. Not only do I not want to waste the Vendor's time I also value my own time.

When I refer to the first viewing as a way of weeding out the no hopers I mean that I will know more or less instantly when I walk through the door if the house doesn't "feel" right. That first viewing is generally just a matter of a few minutes.

I am generally not interested in it's decor or overall condition, because renovation projects are my forte. However, as Cider has said, I need to be aware of any potential worries or issues so I can give the surveyor proper instructions. This is where the in depth second viewing comes in.

Surveys cost money. If I carry out a thorough inspection it can help me decide whether or not I wish to go to the expense of a survey or whether in fact I need to just walk away from a property and continue my search.

Although I am not a builder I do have enough knowledge to help me make an informed decision as to whether or not it is worth going to the expense of a survey or whether this particular project is too complex to take on.

Of course all Vendors want a buyer who will not "fuss" as you put it. However, Purchasers have every right to assure themselves that all is well, preferably without having to instruct a survey on every "possible" on their shortlist.

Whilst the purchaser is subject to the laws of "Caveat Emptor" they need to ensure they have undertaken a few basic checks and apply due diligence.

An hour of your time is not too much to ask for. If you cannot spare the time then get your EA to give their time on your behalf.

outdoorcjc

I've really enjoyed reading through this thread and different people's views.

I had 2 viewings, 1st was about 20 mins and was just wandering round getting feeling of the house etc. I knew at that point that I wanted to put an offer in.

Went back a few days later and spent 1/2 and hour checking all the inbuilt cupboards doing a bit of measuring etc to double check my assumptions, I wouldn't know whether the electrics were sound or what a fuse box should look like so had to send the experts in later for all that stuff.

I also spent about 1/2 an hour walking round the road and the neighbouring road, and went back at 4 different times, (just after school finishing, late saturday night etc) to check there was nothing to put me off about the area at different times.

That was all done in the space of a week, and since then I have spent 3 weeks whilst waiting for exchange trying to decide which washing machine to buy for the house...bizarre!!

Tancred

lessonlearned wrote: »

Tancred - what makes you think a brand new house doesn't issues. As an ex new build negotiator I can tell that they do.Plenty.

Do you seriously think that a few photos on Rightmove and a brief description tells you everything you need to know......

They don't show the factory next door, the motorway at the end of the road, the next door neighbour's rubbish tip of a garden.

Before I even request a viewing I have already done plenty of prep. I will have checked out sale prices, crime statistics, and possible environmental issues. I will have done a drive by.

And I would do precisely the same. Much of that you get from Rightmove - the map is there and streetview is as well.

lessonlearned wrote: »

Only then, when the house has passed it's first hurdles, will I request a viewing. Not only do I not want to waste the Vendor's time I also value my own time.

When I refer to the first viewing as a way of weeding out the no hopers I mean that I will know more or less instantly when I walk through the door if the house doesn't "feel" right. That first viewing is generally just a matter of a few minutes.

I am generally not interested in it's decor or overall condition, because renovation projects are my forte. However, as Cider has said, I need to be aware of any potential worries or issues so I can give the surveyor proper instructions. This is where the in depth second viewing comes in.

OK, but how 'in depth' can you get unless you really know what you are looking for? Ultimately you need to buy somewhere and compromises have to be made. Your buyer isn't going to wait forever.

lessonlearned wrote: »

Surveys cost money. If I carry out a thorough inspection it can help me decide whether or not I wish to go to the expense of a survey or whether in fact I need to just walk away from a property and continue my search.

Although I am not a builder I do have enough knowledge to help me make an informed decision as to whether or not it is worth going to the expense of a survey or whether this particular project is too complex to take on.

Of course all Vendors want a buyer who will not "fuss" as you put it. However, Purchasers have every right to assure themselves that all is well, preferably without having to instruct a survey on every "possible" on their shortlist.

Whilst the purchaser is subject to the laws of "Caveat Emptor" they need to ensure they have undertaken a few basic checks and apply due diligence.

An hour of your time is not too much to ask for. If you cannot spare the time then get your EA to give their time on your behalf.

I have no issue in people doing some checks etc. What really is irksome is the tyre kicker type who spends ages checking every single corner of the house, then cogitating and ruminating for days on end before saying he isn't really interested.

Tancred

outdoorcjc wrote: »

I've really enjoyed reading through this thread and different people's views.

I had 2 viewings, 1st was about 20 mins and was just wandering round getting feeling of the house etc. I knew at that point that I wanted to put an offer in.

Went back a few days later and spent 1/2 and hour checking all the inbuilt cupboards doing a bit of measuring etc to double check my assumptions, I wouldn't know whether the electrics were sound or what a fuse box should look like so had to send the experts in later for all that stuff.

I also spent about 1/2 an hour walking round the road and the neighbouring road, and went back at 4 different times, (just after school finishing, late saturday night etc) to check there was nothing to put me off about the area at different times.

That was all done in the space of a week, and since then I have spent 3 weeks whilst waiting for exchange trying to decide which washing machine to buy for the house...bizarre!!

All this sounds reasonable to me - I will do the same, especially the Saturday night test.

lessonlearned

Tancred wrote: »

OK, but how 'in depth' can you get unless you really know what you are looking for? Ultimately you need to buy somewhere and compromises have to be made. Your buyer isn't going to wait forever.

I think it's just down to experience. It will depend on the size of the house of course but 30 minutes or so should be plenty to do the checks I've mentioned.

Most of it is just taking off the rose tinted specs and using a clinical eye (and nose). You don't have to be a specialist or a detective - most of the checks are just simple common sense.

As for compromise - well of course - that's a given.

I have to say that just like Money you display a certain contempt for buyers - using expressions such as time wasters and tyre kickers.......

My goodness you sound like a dodgy second hand car salesman.

Why are you so judgemental. Your prospective purchaser is going to be spending a large sum of money. Of course they want to feel confident they are making the right choices.

I can make a quick decision and usually do, however not everyone can. Some people just need a little time to think things through. Unless you have a fair amount of experience then making a snap decision on such an important decision is not wise.

After 30 years selling houses I would be very wary of a purchaser who made a snap decision to buy a property after just one viewing. It is my experience that these are the sales that are the ones most likely to fail to complete.

Owain_Moneysaver

Last house (which I offered on but didn't get) I did 4 viewings
1 - on my own, outside only (including wandering round the garden) and taking photos of the outside - property was a vacant repossession
2 - with agent, taking photos, measuring, looking in loft and eaves etc
3 - as 1 but with a friend
4 - with agent again, with a builder, looking at all the things wrong (we discovered some more woodworm that wasn't in the Home Report, the agent didn't look too happy)

katejo

Tancred wrote: »

1. Fair enough, but in a good modern house these shouldn't be a problem.
2. Yes - but also as above.
3. Well - every house these days has central heating. It's possible that the boiler might need replacing, but hardly a deal breaker in my view.

Both the properties which I have bought have been period terraces.

[Deleted User]

Relevant to the discussion of long distance viewings: I haven't ventured into the world of purchasing yet but I have rented and viewed a few times. About a year and a half ago I was looking to move to Brighton from the midlands, exactly 200 miles away.

After much procrastination I found the perfect place on rightmove, I called up the letting agent and arranged for a viewing. I booked my train tickets and then a few days later, the day before the viewing, they called to cancel the viewing. They said that they'd call back with a new viewing date... they did, the new viewing was the next day and I agreed. I proceeded to book train tickets for the next day but found that I needed to get a peak time train into London, then the tube and then from London to Brighton, this turned out to be very expensive and the first class tickets were only about £50 more (£220 vs. £270 I think) so I booked first class 'cause I may as well travel in style to see my new home!

Next day I got a call in the morning, viewing is off... oh... then I get a call a few minutes later, "it's back on!" so I get to the train station with minutes to spare and as the train pulls away from the station (and I get offered breakfast) my phone rings... "he doesn't want to rent it out any more, so the viewing is cancelled... but you can buy it for £600k!". Ended up sitting on a train to London, in first class, only to get on the same train on the way back as soon as I arrived. So much wasted time and money.

Long distance viewings are terrible.

Tancred

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Last house (which I offered on but didn't get) I did 4 viewings
1 - on my own, outside only (including wandering round the garden) and taking photos of the outside - property was a vacant repossession
2 - with agent, taking photos, measuring, looking in loft and eaves etc
3 - as 1 but with a friend
4 - with agent again, with a builder, looking at all the things wrong (we discovered some more woodworm that wasn't in the Home Report, the agent didn't look too happy)

This approach might work in a quiet market, but when you've seen a property you want and others are also interested you risk losing it if you take too long. Being thorough is good but it also means you'll take a long time before finding something you are really happy with.

Where I live there are few good properties for sale, so competition is strong. You need to act fast.

J_i_m

I think it's reasonable to have a little poke around to suss out problems. However I'm very much aware that unless it's something "in the face obvious" then I'm not particularly qualified. Which is what I need a survey for.

Yes, I might take a pause to check that window and door frames aren't in poor condition, no major evidence of damp or leaks but I would have to rely on a professional to flag up problems with the electrics, plumbing etc.

Sure I could go around with a clip board and pencil but in all honestly I'd have little clue what I'd be looking for.

Now, if you're a Jacques of all trades and you're confident you know what you're doing then good luck to you.

For me though it'd make more sense to tick these boxes:
Is the location right for me? (Nothing to put me off)
Is it within walking distance of local amenities?
Can I park my car?
Does the layout of the house suit me?
Could I fit my furnishings in?
Do I like it?
Can I see myself living there long term?

These are the points that I'm interested in, frankly unless it's blindly obvious a professional can check if the roof is about to cave in or not.