Viewing a house and having the vendor show us round

davidmcn

glasgowdan wrote: »

I always prefer to meet the sellers and have them show us round personally rather than open viewings or EA appiintments.

Yes, I think this is partly a regional thing - in Scotland it would be a bit weird for owner-occupiers to prefer to get EAs to do their viewings.

LittleMax

Mickygg wrote: »

I was shown round by owners. Not truthful so beware.

Any questions and answers take with a pinch of salt.

You ask 'what are the neighbours like?' They aren't going to say terrible even if they are.

I hate owners showing round. I don't show people round, what the hell am I paying the EA for if I did?

And in what way would have been shown round by the EA have resolved this issue?
You ask the EA what are the neighbours like? EA replies, I believe from what the vendor says they are very nice.
At least when you ask the vendor yourself you can make an assessment as to whether or not you think they are telling the truth. But in any case what difference does it mack? The vendor may not get on with the neighbours - you may get on with them fine.

kinger101

Sareteegee wrote: »

Hello,

We have booked a house viewing and the estate agent said that the vendor will show us around. Is this normal?

Yes.

I have so many questions that I wanted to ask the estate agent that I will just feel awkward asking the vendor.

Why. The vendor is more likely to know the answer than the EA.

Also, will the homeowner be vetting us and choose not to sell to us?

Why are you worried about being vetted? It's possible, but unlikely. Having said that, I'd probably not wear my Gary Glitter t-shirt, and moderate my swearing just a little.

Mickygg

LittleMax wrote: »

And in what way would have been shown round by the EA have resolved this issue?
You ask the EA what are the neighbours like? EA replies, I believe from what the vendor says they are very nice.
At least when you ask the vendor yourself you can make an assessment as to whether or not you think they are telling the truth. But in any case what difference does it mack? The vendor may not get on with the neighbours - you may get on with them fine.

What difference does it make? If I get a hint of terrible neighbours I don't want the house.

who on earth would ask the EA what the neighbours are like??? I wouldn't ask the seller, I wouldn't ask the EA I would visit the neighbours in person and decide myself.

Lauralou79

We saw 4 houses and 2 of those we were shown by the vendors. It didn't really matter to us who showed us the houses.
The house we bought was quite popular with viewings so it gave us a chance to make a good impression and put forward our position to the actual vendors.
Carry on and ask your questions at the end of the day they want to sell their house, it doesn't mean the estate agents will be more truthful!

Sedge123

We!!!8217;ve had both when buying. I found it quite stressful being with the vendor as although it was good to be able to ask lots of questions I also couldn!!!8217;t be honest when walking round if I really disliked some aspects. I was very mindful that this is their family home and didn!!!8217;t want to offend them.

Davesnave

With smallholdings, which we were looking at last, it's usual for the vendor to do viewings. You try finding an agent who'll walk around 15 acres with a potential buyer and answer all the questions land raises. It all takes far too long.

I'd guess those of us who are experienced in meeting the public through work may be more comfortable with owner-led viewings, or doing them ourselves. It's important to be tactful, but at the same time it's possible to gain much more information than having everything filtered through a third party who may know and care very little.

Davesnave

Mickygg wrote: »

who on earth would ask the EA what the neighbours are like??? I wouldn't ask the seller, I wouldn't ask the EA I would visit the neighbours in person and decide myself.

The possibility of asking the vendor and visting potential neighbours also exists.

Many people are very poor liars!

pimento

It depends on your poker face. If I don't like something, my face tends to give me away so I'm a bit uncomfortable being shown around by the owner but it's easier to read between the lines if you speak directly to them.

betsie

You can still ask the EA questions after the biewing if you are interested (like how much interest have they had, have they had any offers etc)

If you like the house and think it could be the one for you ask all your House questions, which way the garden faces, who the neighbors are, what band it!!!8217;s in for council tax etc.

Regarding neighbours my husband will often go back and knock at the neighbors house saying he might offer on the house next door and wanted an idea on what the area was like. You can normally get a good idea if they are ok. If they slam the door in your face you know to avoid.