First Ever House Viewing! Advice Please!

Bristol80

chile_paul wrote: »

Good point, if you don't have an AIP (sometimes called a suitability recommendation) then in my experience they won't even put your offer to the vendor.

I'm waiting to hear back from the mortgage broker on what we can expect to borrow.

MissBizzita

You really need the AIP asap.

We had someone put an offer in on my flat, but no proof of funds. We said we could agree a figure but until proof of funds were provided we would continue to market property. Next day, someone offered same amount with an AIP and we accepted.

The first person to offer produced AIP two days later but we'd already accepted the second person's offer. They were gutted by all accounts, but it made no sense for us to accept an offer without seeing proof of funds.

Bristol80

Hope that doesn't prove to be a stumbling block if we go for it. Our deposit will be in place in 20 days from now so we would currently be unable to prove it, even though obviously nothing could get to that stage before then.

goodwithsaving

We put in an offer straightaway and went in at full asking because we knew it was worth it and we didn't want to enter a bidding war with it potentially ending up above asking. We stated this when the offer went in. Also, get it taken off the market if accepted.

Our AIP was essential (they said) to get the offer accepted......so you do ideally need that.

We also instructed a solicitor immediately the same day it was accepted. This may be a sticking point as they need to verify deposit and source, ID before anything else. It shows you're serious if you instruct rightaway (make sure chain is complete before paying for searches etc.). Have solicitor details when you offer (again, shows you're serious).

I'd only communicate via the EA unless you suspected things weren't being passed on. It prevents inadvertently saying something you shouldn't or letting emotions get in the way.

[Deleted User]

I'd look at everything, open doors, cupboards, windows, turn on taps. Try and see as much as you can whether everything works. Try and stand still a moment without the estate agent talking, and listen to the traffic / neighbours, etc.

Also, I find it easier to remember what questions to ask if they are written down, e.g. these ones at 13, plus your own:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/house-buying-guide

During and after, make lots of notes. Walk around the local area as well, see how you feel.

GBNI

We put in an offer at the second viewing (EA was showing us around) it was my OHs first viewing though. He rang it through to the office there and then so they could contact the vendor.
A couple of hours later the EA came back to us with a counter offer from the vendor which we accepted. We were happy with what we paid (it was what we had set our maximum to) and there was no faffing about gonig back and forwards and guessing what the vendor wanted.

Tuscan

if im honest i think your setting yourself up for a fall, it dosent sound like your in a postion to be putting offers in, agents and vendours will want to know your postion and without an AIP they wont take you as a serious buyer even though you feel you are. You will view this house and if its your dream home theres every chance you wont be able to buy it, at best they may except your offer but will continue to market it to everyone else under the Sun and if they get an offer from a buyer in a better postion then they will drop you.

Sound harsh but its the reality of house buying, wait until your in a good postion then go looking...

Bristol80

Tuscan wrote: »

if im honest i think your setting yourself up for a fall, it dosent sound like your in a postion to be putting offers in, agents and vendours will want to know your postion and without an AIP they wont take you as a serious buyer even though you feel you are. You will view this house and if its your dream home theres every chance you wont be able to buy it, at best they may except your offer but will continue to market it to everyone else under the Sun and if they get an offer from a buyer in a better postion then they will drop you.

Sound harsh but its the reality of house buying, wait until your in a good postion then go looking...

are we really in a bad position. our deposit will be in our ISA in 20 days time and we're imminently awaiting a callback from the broker to confirm that we are able to borrow what we would like.

By the time we view, consider our offer and make one (if appropriate) it'll be about two weeks until our deposit funds are in place. Considering the seller hasn't even found a place to purchase yet is that a big deal??

Tuscan

if you get your AIP then you will be in a better position, if you rock up and make an offer with nothing to back up your ability to go through with the purchase then i wouldnt expect the agent or vendor to take you as a serious buyer..

Is the house in a area where property is moving fast with plenty of buyers around, or is it dead slow and no buyers. If the latter then you may pull it off

Having recently sold my house in 48 hrs and with 12 buyers viewing in the first day i wouldnt have excepted your offer as would have been asking the agent what position everyone interested was in, even if your offer was a bit higher i would still go with a buyer that was a safe bet..

lepetitmanoir

We viewed the property (we hope to buy) separately and my husband made an offer over the phone that same day. It wasn't an ideal situation and I was very uncomfortable doing it, but that type of property is in very short supply in our area. It was on the market for 24 hours.
We had viewed about 12 places before this one though.


You do need to sort an AIP out before viewing really and certainly before making offers. We had to email ours to the EA when we made our offer.
I think you mentioned that the house you're viewing has only been on the market for a short while, bare that in mind when making an offer.