House viewer messing us about

BLUEBIE

Hi

I am trying to sell my house and have had a viewer come round twice with 8 different members of his family, three further members of his family then turned up another time to ask us if we would take 10k less than the asking price. Then the estate agent bought another 5 of them round again claiming it was a different family, even though they used the same car. I have told the EA that I no longer want to take viewings from these people or to accept an offer because I think it will be trouble from start to finish. My husband is inclined to accept an offer from them just because he trusts everyone! Please can you guys give me an idea of things that can go wrong, I have heard that they could offer the asking price but then later on, nearing exchange change their minds and offer less holding you basically to ransom. If this is true whats the latest they can change their minds and not go through with things?

Thanks - sorry if its a bit long!

wecanhelpu

BLUEBIE wrote: »

Hi
, I have heard that they could offer the asking price but then later on, nearing exchange change their minds and offer less holding you basically to ransom. If this is true whats the latest they can change their minds and not go through with things?

!

This is called gazundering and is a common tactic in a stagnant/falling market.

What's it like where you are? Have you had much interest in your house?

How much are you asking? Are you desparate to sell?

You need to consider all of these things before you dismiss a potential buyer.



Until contracts are exchanged either one of you could pull out without penalty.

Doozergirl

Why do you think that these particular people are going to do this to you? Because they offered £10k to start with? That's what people do, it's how the market works.

I understand being distressed at 8 and 5 people turning up to view your house but I don't really understand why that this type of behaviour makes you think that they are more likely to let you down than anyone else.

I'd chill out a bit. Ask your agent to confirm how many people will be attending a viewing when they book it with you and relax a bit.

lynzpower

Im gonna disagree with DG here.

My feeling ( from experience!) if you dont trust the person making the offer, then DONT GO THROUGH WITH IT. they will give you grief. Listen to your inner voice and act on it. I persevered with my buyer, but god I hated hated hated him by the end. I practically lobbed the keys in his face.

its not worth doing business with people you dont trust. Unless you are desperate.

benood

He's an FTB? So the whole family is really excited - I'd say you can't really tell who is serious and who isn't so unless you have a choice of buyers I'd deal with them. See how quickly they get the survey done let them know you want it done quickly as evidence of their intent and if it takes more than 2 weeks they're timewasters, put it back on.

nelly_2

benood wrote: »

He's an FTB? So the whole family is really excited - .

He's an FTB? So the whole family is really sad <

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JennyP

In my experience, when you have this gut instinct about someone, it's usually right. I had it about a buyer last year, despite my EA saying they were genuine, really keen etc. and we even exchanged mobile numbers and they reassured me that they were really intending to buy my house. To cut a long story short, I still own my house and heavens knows where they ended up!
If they make a genuine offer, I'd accept but I wouldn't stop showing anyone round till they actually put money on the table in terms of having a survey, starting the searches etc.
One person I know found that, on the day of completion, the buyer's solicitor - presumably on the buyer's instruction - had transferred 20K less than the agreed amount into their account but was still expecting the sale to go ahead. Apparently this isn't unusual either!

tiredycustard

I would steer clear. I understand (especially in this market) wanting to get a buyer for your house - but if they mess you around....

I've had my fingers burnt before and I wouldn't take any chances with people who play games with house buying.

Good luck with the sale and move:)

shelly

BLUEBIE wrote: »

I am trying to sell my house and have had a viewer come round twice with 8 different members of his family, three further members of his family then turned up another time

I'd have been well annoyed if this had happened when we were selling. Why do all those people need to see the house? Can't they wait until their relative has bought it? If the viewer had said, can I bring an uncle who is a builder just to check things over, then thats fine but all those uneccessary people, no way!

On another note, I'd definately go with gut instinct. Hubby had a gut instinct about a vendor we made an offer to, she accepted it but then messed us about. We withdrew our offer in the end.

homer_j_3

In the EA where I work, we deal with a lot of people that take all their family around and will view with family members all the time. I must admit that from my experience where I work it is more the Asian families that do this but regardless of the ethnicity, it is important to work out if they are serious or not. Remember, not all people conform to pre conceived ideas etc.

Just talking about my personal experience of family viewings, I believe that the family viewings happen because of the strong values around the family unit and they have a big say in these kind of decisions.

I am not assuming that the family you have had around are Asian but I can understand that some families are closer than others and that they want to get as many opinions of those that have guided them through life up to date.

I actually would find this a good sign if they have done multiple viewings, why would they drag members of their own family around just to annoy you and not buy?

On a separate note I also have a lot of experience through my job of sales going wrong and sellers being messed around on sales. My advice to you would be the following if you cannot satisfy yourself that they are serious:

If you can sell at the price they have offered, make the accepted offer on the following conditions:

1 - Your house is marketed until survey has been carried out and your Estate Agent has seen proof of cash or mortgage offer.

2 - At the price you are accepting, you will not negotiate further - even if survey brings up something or their financial position suddenly changes close to exchange of contracts. The price agreed is the price agreed fullstop.

This should ensure that

1 - You are not missing out on potential buyers until you are certain that your buyers can proceed. Survey access is good but mortgage offer is better and should only take 1 -2 weeks more than survey. You do not want to agree a sale for them to receive an offer saying they can only borrow £5k less than what you have accepted.

2 - You do not end up in arguing who is going to pay for that tile to be replaced or guttering being done etc.

scat

Was about to ask if this was an Asian family. We rent but have had three of the houses we rented sold whilst we were occupants - so have had rather a lot of viewings! The Asian families that viewed always bought a troop! Used to drive me mad but was completely normal - certainly no indicator that they weren't interested... in fact quite the opposite!