Buyers - do you prefer sellers to be home or out for viewings?

clairecymru

We have our first viewer tomorrow. Fingers crossed but as a buyer do you prefer to have the seller there to ask any questions to or prefer them to be out so you can have a proper look around.

I was planning to make myself scarce as that is what I would prefer but wondered what others thought.

jbainbridge

Give them a quick show round and finish upstairs ... then suggest they look round by themselves and come to you if they have any questions.

Sadly you'll find that most of them aren't in a position to make an offer and some are 'just getting their house on the market' ... it's very frustrating.

Good luck!

browneyedbazzi

I'd prefer the seller to be out for a first viewing because with the seller present I'd feel a bit under scrutiny and like I couldn't say what I thought in case it either offended them or gave away that I liked the place too much (and weakened my negotiating position). I think the seller's presence makes me feel a bit tense and I think if I'm feeling tense I'm less likely to like the house.

Jaybo10

The best viewing I went to was where the agent was there with the seller. We were left to go around the house on our own but then the seller and agent were available to answer any questions.

I found I got a lot more information about the fabric of the house and the local area (what work they had done, some of the issues they had and how they overcame them/ average bills/ neighbours/ schools) from the seller.

Though in this instance it was an open house and he had a little crowd around him!

I never trust any information the agent provides when they are alone, often the have no clue what they are talking about and are quite clearly making it up..

Old_Git

if the agent is doing the viewing keep out off the way .

botchjob

Out for the first, home for the second.

witchy1066

I prefer to seller to be out for the first viewing , to be honest I prefer the vender to be out for all viewings ,

we wanted to take our son to view the house we are hoping to buy , while he was here on holiday (he lives 220 miles away)

I rang the EA , made an appointment to view , it was the vender let us in, he then went and sat in front of the TV and left us to it , I felt really uncomfortable, after all its still someone's home

Mobeer

I don't mind, but if you are in, please concentrate on the assisting the viewing, and be ready to answer questions. The worst scenario is for the vendor to be in but sitting down to dinner, playing with children, doing laundry or otherwise engaged such that I (the viewer) feel like an intruder.

Grimbal

Most definitely out for the first viewing. The worst experience we had was where the EA was (supposedly) leading the viewing, only to be followed around by the over eager vendor, desperate to point out things to us.

princeofpounds

Out for the first, home for the second.

Agree. At least the option of having them around anyway.

2nd_mortgage

I can tolerate 1 person during the viewing especially as most vendors make themselves busy during the viewing.
The worst viewing for me was when the whole family of 5 was present. The vendors husband didn't know whether to be friendly or just sit in the study in front of the PC, the kids were either in the lounge in front of the telly or in their bedrooms & I almost felt guilty entering their bedrooms as they were in there.
Also if you conduct the viewing, don't appear too desperate to clinch the deal. It's really off putting.