House Viewing -AWKWARD!!

mollycat

Like a lot of threads from "younger people" this one has me puzzled

Why on earth would you feel "awkward" ?

Living in Scotland I've only ever known the vendor to show people around, has always suited us fine.

Having the vendors show you around is a huge advantage over an EA; as MG says earlier in the thread it is an opportunity to ask absolutely anything and see if you get a straight answer, ( a lot of which the EA wither wouldn't know or would simply bluff or guess).

You are away to spend nearly 100K, ask anything, look at anything as often as you want but....I wouldn't be happy with someone raking in my cupboards; why do you need to do this without the vendor? Simply ask them to open the cupboards for you while they are there.

Sounds like you need to get over some inhibitions rather than worry about excluding vendors from your look round, (I don't mean that unkindly ).

stripeyfox

mollycat wrote: »

Like a lot of threads from "younger people" this one has me puzzled

Why on earth would you feel "awkward" ?

Living in Scotland I've only ever known the vendor to show people around, has always suited us fine.

Having the vendors show you around is a huge advantage over an EA; as MG says earlier in the thread it is an opportunity to ask absolutely anything and see if you get a straight answer, ( a lot of which the EA wither wouldn't know or would simply bluff or guess).

You are away to spend nearly 100K, ask anything, look at anything as often as you want but....I wouldn't be happy with someone raking in my cupboards; why do you need to do this without the vendor? Simply ask them to open the cupboards for you while they are there.

Sounds like you need to get over some inhibitions rather than worry about excluding vendors from your look round, (I don't mean that unkindly ).

Not sure how you can entirely judge everyone saying it is awkward is "young", but thanks for the compliment - I don't think I'm young by any demographic!

I think the whole house viewing experience is a bit awkward for both parties. The Seller has to entertain people to look around their home / show them around and answer questions whilst hoping they like it enough. The buyer has to look around and in most cases, will porbably try and smile politely even if they hate it before givin some non comittal "flim flam" about being in touch later.

But I agree, awkward or not, both parties just need to get over it. Lots of things in life are awkward!

Skiddaw1

This thread reminds me of the time we viewed a house currently tenanted. The EA showed us around whilst Mrs Tenant (and her baby ) were in situ. EA tried to turn on the lights in the kitchen (it was a dark day) but nothing happened. Mrs Tenant proceeded to hammer on a particular spot on the kitchen wall (lights then came on) whilst commenting that 'this always happens'. I shall never forget the expression on the EA's face....:rotfl:

olgadapolga

AdrianC wrote: »

"Probate sale?"
"Not yet."

:rotfl: The place was damp and neglected. Poor old chap, I felt so sorry for him.

AdrianC wrote: »

So, umm, you weren't expecting a second viewing to look in cupboards? And just rammed everything in there like some kind of cross between a Hello magazine photoshoot and Buckaroo?

To be honest, I don't know if I was expecting them to look in cupboards. I wouldn't look in cupboards without asking first. I didn't look in cupboards when we purchased the house as there actually weren't any. That particular cupboard was in my daughter's bedroom. My daughter is the messiest person ever so her idea of tidying is "ram it away so that mum and dad can't see it".

lookstraightahead

I looked after someone's kids once while they looked round my house for 30 mins because they kept mucking about. Not sure what parents are thinking sometimes.

As a buyer I've never looked in anyone's drawers or wardrobes. Or kitchen cupboards. In the whole scheme of things is this really necessary? Is it at all important?

warby68

We were actually shown inside all cupboards and storage areas by this house's vendor. They were immaculate...........and have never been so again

I once loaded our airing cupboard shelves with kids stuff - quite high up as it was over the hot water tank . Thought it the place of least interest. Nope, it all fell out on the first curious viewer. We had a good laugh about it though.

amieloustew

UPDATE

Had our second viewing last night and I think both parties were more relaxed and it was definitely less 'awkward'.

Having a real hard think about our situation at the moment - thinking of putting an offer in

Thanks again for everyone's advice. I will now trawl the forum for more helpful threads about my next steps.

Davesnave

amieloustew wrote: »

UPDATE
Had our second viewing last night and I think both parties were more relaxed and it was definitely less 'awkward'.

Viewing's very similar to speed dating, while conducting viewings probably feels like starting a new job for those not used to customer-facing roles.

We had around 50 viewings last time, the great majority of them owner-led. Most were very competent. Those who weren't, often gave us good value in entertainment.

The best was a commercial property, no longer trading, which the owner did his best to hide. As we didn't gainsay any claims he made, his sales spiel became ever more outrageous, until finally our 15 year old daughter had to leave, as she could no longer contain her mirth.