Are viewings allowed?

GixerKate

In a word yes, viewings are allowed but many EAs are being stricter about who can book a viewing, so usually only people who can proceed so FTBs or people with offers on the table for their existing properties.

We had to put ours back on the market as our original buyer dropped out at the beginning of lock down, 2 days after the government announcement the EA took some fresh pics (light was better) and 're-launched' the house, we then had 4 viewings - 2 FTBs and 2 with their own properties either under offer or multiple viewings scheduled.  There were other enquiries I was told about but the EA refused to schedule viewings for them as they weren't in a position to proceed.

bolwin1

Estate Agents in our area have been conducting viewings. Our house was put on the market 3 weeks ago & I've got funds available / Mortgage AIP for any balance. That seems to be enough for the estate agents. I've viewed 3 properties with 3 different EAs. Having said that I'm not going to view any more until I've had an offer on my place. We missed out on the one we really wanted as the sellers accepted an offer from someone who was proceedable, so it seems a bit of a waste of my time as well as the sellers until I know I can offer. 

Caramac

I think it very much depends on the EA, we were under the impression that only people who were able to proceed would be allowed to view ours. We had two viewings neither of whom had their house on the market. Luckily it worked out in our case as one viewer put their house on the market and sold it but I wasn’t impressed when I found out the EA wasn’t doing what he said he would.

Lucielou1

We put out property on the market beginning of June and have had lots of viewings. Some FTB or people with offers on their properties but also people who just had their property on market. We have also viewed properties. We sold on day 1 only for the buyers, buyer to pul our. So we carried on looking for properties. 

Some estate agents make you wear mask others don’t. Our estate agent asked if we could go out when their was viewings and provide hand gel. We have been to houses where owners were still in. 

Think it all depends on estate agent. Just make contact and they will let you know their rules. 

I have viewing on property tomorrow where owner is shielding but still said we can view. Properties where I live are selling really fast. 

jenni_fer

This is great source of frustration for us. I don't want to sell my house and then keep the buyers hanging on for months while I try and find something (limited houses that fit the bill for us). I feel like being able to view / make an offer that is accepted tentatively while we sell ours is much more realistic and the reality is we'd price ours to sell in order to secure the new one. I appreciate that COVID has caused more caution though.

Slithery

jenni_fer said:

This is great source of frustration for us. I don't want to sell my house and then keep the buyers hanging on for months while I try and find something (limited houses that fit the bill for us). I feel like being able to view / make an offer that is accepted tentatively while we sell ours is much more realistic and the reality is we'd price ours to sell in order to secure the new one. I appreciate that COVID has caused more caution though.

Unfortunately that's not how the UK property market works. Until you already have a buyer for your property no one is going to take you seriously.

robatwork

This is business as usual for the England & Wales property market. You're not proceedable and it's nothing to do with any virus.

Mickygg

It also depends what the vendors have instructed the EA to do. For my last sale I was very clear....I only wanted people to view who could proceed.