Does your house have to be on the market to view properties?

skm1981

My sister is thinking of relocating and moving nearer to us, but is reluctant to put her house on the market until she finds a house she really likes.  When we bought our house, it was during lockdown, I think the estate agents were only letting you view if you had your house on the market.  Is that a general thing or just a COVID thing, or does it just depend on the estate agent/sellers?

Redwino222

Depends on the estate agent and the market.

It has never been a condition I have come across.  But I have always been asked what my circumstances are.

i wish estate agents were stricter though.  I recently sold my house and it is a huge hassle to arrange the house for viewers, and some of them have absolutely no intention of buying, they are just being nosey.

ssparks2003

If your sister finds the house of her dreams, she is then going to have to get her house up for sale and sold before she can really do much else other than give hollow promises. Surely it would seem obvious to get hers on the market before finding the forever home.

HeidiBoBeidi

Depends. We’re looking currently (and have been for 9 months), some EA’s have asked for proof of funds to even view, some haven’t even asked our position. 

Caracal

Most agents in our area are saying they won't let you view unless you're "proceedable" - we are FTB and had an AIP so it was fine.

But I know that many of them won't let you view until your current house is under offer. This generally seems to have been a covid-19 speciffic issue though...

skm1981

ssparks2003 said:

If your sister finds the house of her dreams, she is then going to have to get her house up for sale and sold before she can really do much else other than give hollow promises. Surely it would seem obvious to get hers on the market before finding the forever home.

That's exactly what I've said to her. I said there's no harm in putting the house on the market and changing your mind. It's quite a big move away, we live 150 miles from where she lives, so I think she's weighing up if she actually wants to move or not.

Ashworks

We're on the market and our agents aren't allowing anyone to view unless they are at the very least on the market. It's been a very busy few days! I guess it depends on the market in the area though.

Weathergirl_76

My property is on the market now, it’s taking time to find a buyer. When it was launched, I viewed 3-4 properties, thinking I would find a buyer quickly and have a head start. One of the properties I viewed, the one I was very interested in has just sold, because a proceedable buyer came along before me. 

The risk you take with looking for a property before you sell yours, is that it could be bought by someone else, before you find a buyer for yours. 

Weathergirl_76

Ps, some agents allowed me to view houses at the start of my search, some told me to contact them when I was under offer.  To be honest, Ive stopped asking to view houses now, as even if I love it, I can’t do anything, so it’s very frustrating to just walk away. 

Redwino222

I had an offer on my house from A lady who was about to put her house on the market.  I accepted a lower offer from a first time buyer.