Buyer wants to meet us

Delphblue

Hi all

Thank you for all your replies - I feel much better about it now. We didn't meet the buyer at the viewing because they requested a viewing time when we were both working, so the agent did it. We had quite a few viewings like that - they wanted to come mid-morning or mid-afternoon when we couldn't get back from work in time, so we decided that we'd let the agents do the day time viewings if it was an initial look around and then if there was a second viewing, that would be arranged for a time when we were there and could answer any questions. As our buyer only did one viewing before putting the offer in, it didn't quite work out that way!

I'm going to call the agent tomorrow and ask them to find out whether there is anything specific that they would like to know, but fingers crossed it's just a 'hello' sort of a thing.

Thanks again

Delphi

Mrs_Soup

We met our vendors when we moved here. EA had shown us round but after exchange we asked if we could visit again so we could show our then 2 year old where he would be living. It was very useful as we got to chat about the neighbours etc. Our buyer also called in to see us one evening about something or other and again it was handy to be able to tell him a few things about the property.

pmd123

I'm buying from a vendor in the next street to me, met her at the viewing and she was very friendly. Now all is nearing completion I had a couple of minor questions (water meter & virgin line), as I was going by yesterday her car was there, so just gave a quick knock and asked if she could answer them.

Very informal, very friendly, and added a lot to the experience, I wouldn't worry about it myself.

katejo

Snakey wrote: »

ETA: In London, estate agents do all the viewings. Normally the seller makes themself scarce - flats down here aren't that big and too many people cluttering the place up gives a bad impression. I viewed about two dozen places, and met only four sellers and one tenant in the process.

Not true when I sold my flat in 2006. I showed the buyers around. The agent handled a price offer negotiation but I answered questions from the buyer. That was in East London.

whodathunkit

poet123 wrote: »

Perhaps there are regional differences in custom and practice, but oop north if the house is occupied the vendors usually do the viewings. I have only been taken round by an EA if the house was empty. So, it very usual to meet the vendor here.

I'd be hopping mad to be paying EA's fees but have to show buyers round myself; does the EA just stand there like a spare part while you do the work?

What about when people want to view in working hours?

poet123

whodathunkit wrote: »

I'd be hopping mad to be paying EA's fees but have to show buyers round myself; does the EA just stand there like a spare part while you do the work?

What about when people want to view in working hours?

The EA does not come with them generally. Few people view in working hours, evenings and weekends are favourite.

Snakey

katejo wrote: »

Not true when I sold my flat in 2006. I showed the buyers around. The agent handled a price offer negotiation but I answered questions from the buyer. That was in East London.

Ah, perhaps it's just my neck of the woods then - I've viewed a couple of dozen flats in total with about six different agents and every viewing was accompanied. So I just kind-of assumed (and we all know what that does) that it was a North/South thing because way back when I bought in Manchester the viewings were carried out by the sellers - I don't recall whether the agent was even there or not.

Delphblue

We're in the north and we had a good mix of people wanting to view during the day in the week and at the weekends. I don't mind doing the viewings - I'm not overly attached to the house we're selling, so I didn't find it as invasive as some of my friends did when they did viewings on their houses, but I did feel a teensy bit resentful of doing the viewings myself and still paying loads in EA fees - especially as rightmove seems to do most of the work for them anyway. We tried to avoid evening viewings because we have a young child and it was such a rush getting back from work, sorting out tea and bath time around the viewings. I'm so glad all the viewings are finished now

supersaver2

whodathunkit wrote: »

I'd be hopping mad to be paying EA's fees but have to show buyers round myself; does the EA just stand there like a spare part while you do the work?

What about when people want to view in working hours?

Me too! Just sold my house last month and my estate agent fees are nearly 3k which I do expect them to work for! He is an excellent seller and sold it on the first viewing, if I had to do the selling I wouldn't be happy paying him so much. The house I'm moving into was always shown by an estate agent and the sellers have always been out at the 3 viewings we've had.

caprikid1

I had offered on a property but I had concerns on a few things and being a very old property I want to meet and discuss them with the seller. Survey was going to be £1K.


Seller point blank refused to meet.


I walked away , property was reduced below what was a good offer. Later I see the property never sold and had to be rented out. I guess if they had agreed for a chat then they may have sold it.