Viewing etiquette

DigForVictory

Do check that you are at the right address, and that you are at approximately the right time.
This is not a bring a bottle event, you need not bring any gifts other than courtesy.
Are you viewing alone? Speeds things along, but sometimes it's helpful to have a second person to take notes etc (Ask *before* taking pictures.)
No pets of yours for this visit.
Try not to find out how close the local A&E is through injudicious footwork.
If you want to know, ask the vendor. (Our quiz sheet included where are the nearest primary schools, GPs, dentists & supermarkets - you may have more specialist requirements)
Share your quiz sheet with the vendor - they have better odds with the answers after all.
It is not wholly unreasonable to ask if they have a place they are planning to move to and to disclose whether or not you are in a chain.
If you are a first time buyer, say so & apologise early - it gets things off on a clear footing - they will know you haven't a clue.
If you have a mortgage in principle, that is also information that will warm the vendor's cold flinty heart.
If you have looked up a surveyor and they are poised ready for your call, do mention it. (We judged our buyers rather harshly on whether they had the surveyor & funds ready to go.)

It may be worth viewing a couple of places that mean very little to you to get a feel for the process. Don't ask "how old is this place" at a new build, but it may not be unreasonable at a property that is Listed - you are going to have to have A Number for the house insurance after all. (The surveyor may then research & demonstrate it to be wrong, but that isn't a problem at a viewing.)

Best of luck!

badger09

Above all, turn up, even if you've seen something outside which gives you second thoughts!

Most vendors will have spent time and effort ensuring their home looks at its best for your viewing, and may have cancelled other plans. There's nothing more dispiriting than a no show:(

kay0601

So, turn up nude with a bottle of bubbly and some socks in my bag? Perfect!

The properties are both (made another appointment since posting earlier) in the same town I currently rent in so I know my way about. One has been on the market since June last year whilst the other has been on less than a month.

We’re using the open market shared equity scheme so there’s a strict top amount we’re able to offer so it’s been challenging to find places we both like. Typically the one we were keeping an eye on because it was bang on budget and we both loved it went under offer yesterday.

Mutton_Geoff

ACG wrote: »

Ask anything you think is important - crime...

Unless it directly affected me, I wouldn’t have a clue about crime in my local area. Best to look up on the rozzers map ..

https://www.police.uk

Marvel1

Sofa against the wall? If you can look behind to see if anything is hidden.

Marvel1

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

Unless it directly affected me, I wouldn’t have a clue about crime in my local area. Best to look up on the rozzers map ..

https://www.police.uk

Me neither, to me the area is quiet (I'm not lying).

Out of curiosity, I just looked at the map above, and near me it says 54 in total around the surrounding areas for November 2018.

There was a public order in my street back in November 2018 - I don't remember it.

There was a violence and sexual offence in my street back in October 2018 - again first I heard about was now.

My answer won't change as above.

Jonbvn

billy2shots wrote: »

...searching rightmove etc 5 times a day, getting details sent through from agents every 5 minutes.

5 times a day???:eek: You do know you can set up alerts on Rightmove?

Jonbvn

kay0601 wrote: »

So, turn up nude with a bottle of bubbly and some socks in my bag? Perfect!

Most vendors will not be overly happy if you decide to take a massive dump during your viewing :cool:;)

DigForVictory

So, kay0601, how did it go?!

Unleashed the surveyor & started the long waltz with the estate agent, solicitor, financial advisor etc etc or just smiled sweetly & legged it for other more copeable-with properties?

SimonMrGreenWard

My recommendation for a first viewing would be very different depending if you're looking to buy or simply researching. As it's your first ever viewing, I'm guessing more for researching.

In that sense, take a pad, note down things of interest. Start building an idea of what you get for your money for then comparing with future viewings.

Ask questions that are of interest to yourself, don't bother with ones that are not.

If actually buying, first viewings are very different to second viewings. For most, first viewing is simply a quick check to see if it's worth looking a second time.