tv has a lot to answer for

Prothet_of_Doom

In my humble experience, look beyond the decoration.

Ask about the Fuse box (That rewire cost me £1500, plus decorating every room, 3 years after purchase)

Ask about the heating system (That Central Heating, didn't include the hot water, that had a very ineffective back boiler, behind the gas fire)

Ask about the stop !!!! (replacing one that was seized was a PITA)

Ask about the neighbours, the bin collections, the shared driveway, the parking spaces, the number of sockets in the kitchen, the height of the loft (I started taking my own step ladder on viewings, with a tape measure and torch to see if there was enough height for an extra room), the age of the flat roofing, but NEVER comment on the decour.

We did once wax lyrical about someone's house, but she was 83, we knew the price was cheap, and we knew even if she accepted our offer, at our max, at the asking price, that someone would come in and offer 20% more the following week, and it was an attempt to curry favour in the "loverly young couple who were getting married and wanted thier future kids to go to the schools her kids had gone to" Unfortunately her daughter "forced her" to take the higher offer.

googler

OP, welcome to the world of 'dealing with the general public'.

If you're taking things like this personally, maybe you should consider an EA who carries out the viewings for you. That way, any rudeness about the house directed toward the EA won't be taken personally.

Principia_2

People saying they don't like the same things that I do is not something I would consider rude. However, I don't really care about comments people make about my taste, I actually have friends who are more frank than any potential buyers about not liking my neutral decor and funky accessories but I care even less about my friends opinions on my taste - I like it and I'm the one that gets to live in it

I might be more cautious about entering into a business transaction with someone who was actually rude - this carpet makes me want to yak - for example, purely because there is no respect being shown but - I don't like this carpet or this carpet is horrible - doesn't bother me at all, just tell me your offer


If I am not getting offers then I would seriously consider whether their comments have merits - is the carpet actively putting people off? Is there anything I can do about it?

When I was recently showing people around my house - 5 couples in all, I had nothing but compliments (and no, my house isn't particularly special) Second viewer made an offer within an hour of first viewing, third made an offer on the spot and two people phoned afterwards asking to be considered if the sale didn't proceed. I can't take much credit because we're in a bit of a hotspot at the moment, I just wanted to make the point that being 'rude' about a house isn't necessarily part of the negotiation.

sleepymans

I agree totally with ProthetofDoom.
In fact I would never be rude about any aspect of an owner's home - its not likely to endear you to them if you are seriousy considering making an offer.
Its far more important to get them communicative about the important stuff.

I would also prefer to see a house that isnt a clone of every "Made-over for selling" house, it gets sooooo boring, spend a few hours looking at homes on the online EAs......they all begin to look the magnolia/freshflowers/guitar propped up in the corner/ same! Something that looks a bit different is more likely to be noticed and stand out from the crowd of samey-ticky-takey boxes.

The old "I would have to replace this that and the other" is such a cliche....the house is priced to sell and buyers are supposed to negotiate with the agent, not the owner during viewing.

googler

meander wrote: »

During last nights episode of Under Offer on BBC2, at one point the agent said that that viewers criticizing a house was simply part of the negotiation process, and usually indicated they would make an offer. Then added "I know everything that's wrong with it, just name a figure".

I would certainly agree though that it's unnecessary to be rude if the owner is actually present.

OP, this reinforces my point - criticism directed at the EA at a viewing will be like water off a duck's back.

penguingirl

I think this works both ways though (although obviously I wouldn't be rude in front of a vendor)- some vendors are truly delusional about how outdated their property is and how badly it needs decorating. We had a viewing during which the vendor kept going on and on about how she would leave the carpets and curtains and that the kitchen had been fitted by her husband and wouldn't need anything doing. She had been in the house 40+ years, the whole house reeked of smoke (there were no windows open when we viewed on a warm day) so I told the EA afterwards that the house would be worth more without the carpets and curtains and the kitchen was blue and had been fitted in the 70s (and was covered in grease etc.)

Obviously that's an extreme example, but I think there are a lot of people out there like that. My parents looked shocked when I said to them that they'd need to do things on the house if they wanted to sell it- their attitude is that they decorated the lounge 10 years ago so it's fine! A friend of theirs put their house up for £1million and my mum was shocked that they had the kitchen spruced up first (doors all painted) and the 25 year old carpet in the hallway replaced.

georgiesmum

Thanks for your comments. Obviosley i am a bit to sensitive so i will try and chill out a bit.
I have tried to stress the fact that i have installed a new combi boiler recently, the double glazing is new as is a new fuse box and wiring. Didn't seem interested at all.
My furniture is modern and only 3 years old and the decor is fairly neutal, fresh plastered and painted walls, except for one wall, which is papered so it doesn't look to boring.
The thing none of them have picke up on is that it could do with a new kitchen, and just shrug it off when i mention that. (get it in first ):D

Ivana_Tinkle

Some buyers are just a bit thick. Either they're just plain ignorant and can't have a thought without it coming out of their mouth, or they genuinely think it's a great haggling tactic to slag off your taste in wallpaper. You catch SO many more flies with honey!