Questions to ask vendor on first viewing?

Bennettxoxo

We have started to look for our first home. We have been to see 2 houses so far. Which we have made offers on but the vendor has taken a higher offer.

The area we are looking in is fairly competative and houses get snapped up pretty quickly.

Both our viewings so far have been with an estate agent but our next house viewing is with the vendor.

We believe we have been asking the right questions to the estate agent but I was just wondering if there are any particular questions we should be asking the vendor that we perhaps wouldn't ask the estate agent?

We know there is already a fair bit of interest on this property so we want to make a good impression and make sure we're asking the right kind of things.

Is there a list on here already? I've found advice on what questions to ask an estate agent when viewing a property but not the actual vendor.






Any suggestions?

AnotherJoe

"Good grief, who thought that wallpaper was a good idea?"
"Were you going to tidy up eventually?"
"Are you minding these bratty kids?"
"Did the previous owners do this bodged DIY?"
"Were these bathroom tiles in a sale or if not what possessed you to buy them?"
"Are you OK if we knock £5k off to allow for fumigation?"

davidmcn

Probably much the same questions that you'd ask the EA, but with a better chance that they'll know the answers (or at least be less professional at lying). What are the neighbours like, what are the bills, where do you park, when did you do alteration [x], etc.

Zackisback878

We're in Scotland where vendor viewings are the norm, I always asked about neighbours, parking and rough bills. Its also handy to ask if any white goods/furniture are being included with the sale

Its also helpful to to back and see a house in daylight if you're viewing at night and like it

walwyn1978

How old is the boiler, does it get serviced every year/at all, , when (if) did you do any electrical work, why are you moving, etc

s_glover

How long have you lived here?
What work have you done to the property?
Is there loft space / access / loft ladder?
Ask about the heating system, boiler, gas etc
Is there an alarm, does it work?
Why they are moving / where too / have they found somewhere?
Ask about the neighbours

SmashedAvacado

Don't ask any questions. Focus on whether you like the property. Say nice things about it regardless. Ask to walk around it at the end on your own. Questions are for a second viewing. At the first viewing, you want the seller to like you and think you'd be a nice person to sell to.

Be natural. Unless there is something very particular / quirky about the house that is not apparent from what you know already - eg like access

SpiderLegs

Where are the bodies?

Thrugelmir

If you spend too much time chatting. You'll spend a lot less time looking.

mandragora_2

Prior to making an offer (so not on your first viewing, really) - What is your situation? (ie do they have a place to go to; are they in a rush to move; are they in a chain; might they not be too fussed about moving if it got a bit tricky...). Remember, about 1:3 house purchases fall through, and if your vendor potentially isn't that committed to moving, you can end up two months and several hundreds of pounds on fees down the line, with the vendor pulling out and you not being any further forward. By the same token , if they have to move (job relocation; about to be repossessed, for example) then you might want to be a bit punchier on price, if you're ready to go and in a position to act quickly...

mdori003

are there any dogs buried in the garden...?