At what stage of sale is it appropriate for buyer to ask if they can come measure for furniture?

Talkingsinger

I’m sure there's an etiquette on this. What are people’s opinions?

csgohan4

up to you really, once my offer was accepted I got some builders to come in and did some quotes.


But if you start to be obstructive and give excuses that may alarm the buyer and you risk the buyers having second thoughts

dunroving

I think it depends on timelines and circumstances. Any time after acceptance of offer seems reasonable, especially if the buyer or seller are pushing for a quick sale. As a seller, you'd hopefully appreciate this is sign of commitment by the buyer.

unforeseen

But you need to lay down ground rules. E. G How often, suitable times, length of visit, notice etc.

nicmyles

I'd say probably once the survey is booked and you've therefore demonstrated some commitment to the purchase.

But really a vendor should allow a reasonable amount of access at a convenient time if the buyer asks for it.

I never understand people who seem outraged by the fact someone they want to give them £100,000s for an asset wants to examine that asset a bit more closely. It's completely unreasonable.

The only thing from the buyer's point of view is to be certain you aren't giving the impression you're visiting because you're having second thoughts. Although obviously a visit to inspect a specific thing highlighted on a survey, say, should always be fine.

PasturesNew

Measuring for furniture is something one should only contemplate after the survey's been done and the whole thing is a long way along ....

It's not even what I'd call "normal" for buyers to wish to measure for furniture, so anybody wishing to do so should be aware that it's not part of "what was expected" as part of the buying process, so will take the sellers by surprise.

When I sold one house I was "annoyed" on seven separate occasions as the buyers (and their annoying child) wanted to visit to "look around" ... firstly I didn't want them to be there/so often, especially with their annoying child - but, also, each time they visited it put the fear of God into me that they'd pull out due to something the realised/saw etc. As I was "keen to get shot of it", I just had to grit my teeth and tidy up (again) .... and "be pleasant"

dunroving

I took a second visit after first viewing and after offer accepted. First viewing was in deep snow (Beast from the East), and I live 300 miles away. Among other things, the second viewing involved taking measurements for my *current* furniture. Thanks to that, I now know I need to sell my current sofa as it won't fit. I can imagine if a buyer has no furniture, and the furniture store has a 2-week order turnaround time, that might dictate when the buyer needs to measure up.

As per my earlier comment, it can be very context-specific. But I agree with the idea that it's necessary to indicate some ground rule regarding number of visits, timing of visits, etc., if only on an informal way (e.g., can't do viewings or visits during the day). Also agree that after survey completed is a relevant landmark for showing you are committed.

nicmyles

It's not even what I'd call "normal" for buyers to wish to measure for furniture, so anybody wishing to do so should be aware that it's not part of "what was expected" as part of the buying process, so will take the sellers by surprise.

It is normal, should be expected as part of the buying process and will not take most sellers by surprise.

And again: you want them to spend £100,000s on this asset. Why on earth wouldn't you let them have 20 mins to take some measurements?

Lolly88

Whilst I agree with the general sentiment behind spending lots on an asset and wanting to investigate- I don't really get the whole needing to go and view again for measurements. Surely this can be deduced from the floorplan? I think until contracts are exchanged this is jumping the gun abit because there are seemingly more important issues up until that point than whether your furniture would fit. It doesn't seem the smart thing to buy furniture for a house you've not yet exchanged on as it could still all fall apart and I don't suppose someone serious will pull out because their sofa won't fit.

If I was a seller I wouldn't mind someone coming to investigate the house but if it was multiple visits for small potatoes each time like furniture measurements and the like I would start to get irritated. There are some estate agents who as part of the contract will allow a certain number of viewings as part of the package and will charge extra beyond that. Or alternatievly some estate agents won't do viewings and it's agreed the vendor will do it for a lower cost. So with both scenarios it has a potential cost implication for the vendor in terms of taking time off work to accomodate such requests or paying more to the estate agents.

Quintessentially what I would say is that it's not unreasonable for sellers to set some limits on the number and type of visits and buyers should also be mindful about how many visits they're asking for and the necessity of those.

davidmcn

nicmyles wrote: »

Why on earth wouldn't you let them have 20 mins to take some measurements?

In case they spot something else while they're there and get cold feet.

Normal practice in Scotland is that you don't get access for trivial stuff like measurements until there's a concluded contract. Obviously, different procedures elsewhere so you may have other ways of deducing that the buyers are actually committed, but that's the concern.

lena_halo

We are about 6 weeks in and on the second batch of enquiries so we have just this weekend spoken to the EA to ask if the vendor minds if we go in for another look and measurements etc next weekend, I was very clear to say only if they don!!!8217;t mind. If they did mind, we will happily wait until the move with no problem to us. We only viewed the house once and loved it so we are very excited to see it again if they accept.

My buyer has been round four times now, twice before application (it!!!8217;s a shared ownership flat) and twice since. I absolutely don!!!8217;t mind at all if she wants to come every weekend! I want her to be happy with the biggest purchase of her life so far. I don!!!8217;t worry too much that she might change her mind or anything as she is clearly so excited but I suppose it could make you a bit nervous if you think about it too much!