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

Cisco001

I would prefer seller, such that I can ask questions.

cookiemonsie

I've just bought and I found it really helpful to be shown around by the vendor so I could ask questions (and ask cheeky can I open the cupboard door questions!) but after she'd shown us where everything was she left us alone to have a more thorough look ourselves.

hazyjo

Depends on how knowledgeable the agent is.

Nearly every house I viewed with an agent, I was rushed. They were late or heading off somewhere after. Can't think of anywhere I had as long as I wanted (even 10 mins, not talking an hour!).

EVERY agent was useless when it came to questions about the property. I'm not someone who turns up with a clipboard full of 'em, I forget to ask tonnes of stuff, but they didn't know the simple things like why they're selling or what's caused the huge damp patch on the ceiling, or whether they've found anywhere to go. They have been utterly pointless other than to open the front door for me.

If it came to choice, I would like a competent agent to show me around first and, if I like the property, I would like at 15 mins or so to actually have a look round the property properly. Would then like the vendor there on the second viewing.

The way it actually stands, it's usually better for the homeowner to show me around first/both times.

Jx

tortoiseshellcat

It is good to have one person showing you round so either the EA the vendor but is awful if the vendor is there (as someone else said) and carrying on with everyday stuff. We viewed one house where the vendor and her late-teen children sat in the lounge watching tv and didnt even acknowledge us or the EA that felt really awkward and we felt guilty for intruding! If the vendor goes round with you there could be four people in each room which makes the rooms seem smaller.

The house we are hopefully buying, the Estate Agent showed us round but introduced us to the vendor and we had a chance to talk to her in the kitchen after we'd looked at the rest of the house, that worked well.

Davesnave

The sort of property we were looking for had mostly owner rather than agent led viewings, and we preferred it that way. I can't think of a single instance where agent accompaniment added anything to the visit.

I prefer to have the ability to quiz owners directly on anything that comes up. Besides, many talk far too much, either out of nervousness or plain friendliness, and so reveal far more than they should!

However, I would never talk money to an owner. That's always better through an intermediary, where 'thinking time' gives a better chance of a considered response.

Itismehonest

Let the agent do all the first viewings but be available for any 2nd.
Anybody who is serious in selling up has already moved on in their mind. You can say too much or too little to viewers so risk putting them off. It is best to let the agent go through the initial viewing.
It's also a large part of what you are paying an agent to do. In fact, in more expensive properties it's normal for agents will do 100% of the viewings.

DRP

Itismehonest wrote: »

Let the agent do all the first viewings but be available for any 2nd.
Anybody who is serious in selling up has already moved on in their mind. You can say too much or too little to viewers so risk putting them off. It is best to let the agent go through the initial viewing.
It's also a large part of what you are paying an agent to do. In fact, in more expensive properties it's normal for agents will do 100% of the viewings.

In my area, EAs do the viewings (Bristol). I've never had a vendor-only viewing and maybe 1 or 2 out of 50+ where the vendor is even present.

I prefer the freedom to look around without the vendor present. Perhaps it may be useful to quiz the vendor at times, but i tend to put questions for the EA to pass on if necessary.

marmitequeen

botchjob wrote: »

Out for the first, home for the second.

/// this

Have done lots of viewings in last 6 months - to buy and then to rent. When it's just the agent you can say what you think and not waste anyone's time (and not be forced to look into a downstairs cloakroom where someone has clearly recently 'expelled' last night's curry and beer and the air-freshener hasn't been up to the job).

Sometimes you just know a place isn't for you and can say so to an agent and get out of there. We've had vendors keen for us to see intricate aspects of their garden sheds ('it has power, you know' - through an extension lead threaded through a hose and looped through the trellis on the fence...) It's a waste of everyone's time and sanity.

Good luck with it all, whatever you decide!

Propertyfan

There is no way in an infinity of years I would not be at my property for a viewing. God forbid, what happens if the EA lets someone in and they break something? Or it's pouring with rain but the EA and potential buyer can't be bothered to take off their shoes and they leave dirt marks all over your home? What if the EA turns on a light but forgets to turn it off when he/she leaves the property?

I'm sure these scenarios are uncommon but unless work or other commitments get in the way I would recommend the seller is always present during a viewing.

All the viewings of my property were done from 5:30pm onwards Mon - Fri. My work commitments made it impractical for me to my at home at an earlier time. My EA had no problem with the 5.30pm arrangement. And in the summer time it doesn't get dark to much later. I had a viewing at 7:30pm.

GwylimT

I prefer the seller to be there as you can ask them questions, yes you can ask the estate agent but they will either tell you they don't know or lie. When selling my house I am always present for viewings, I'm not going to give complete strangers access to my house when I'm not there.