Too many views arranged for a property?

Christina29 · 6 May 2021 at 9:15PM

Good evening, I was wondering if anyone could help.
My husband and myself saw a property on rightmove on Friday (before the bank holiday) I requested a viewing via the rightmove website and heard nothing. Then on Wednesday morning I requested a viewing through Hannells own website and again heard nothing so decided to ring Wednesday evening to actually speak to someone. I was told that I would have to be placed on a list now as there were so many viewings for this property, even though they had been closed sat-mon for the bank holiday.

I understand the market is saturated with people trying to get 5% mortgages but do you think the estate agents are using tricks to make the property seem more in demand or would there actually be so many viewings there is now a waiting list?

We really would love to see this property and we genuinely believe we would put an offer in but if we can’t even getting to the viewing stage it seems ridiculous.

princeofpounds · 6 May 2021 at 9:25PM

It's quite possible that there are too many viewers, especially if it seems obviously attractive to you (others will see the same) and it's new to the market. But that should pass in a week or two. Remember that Covid means viewings are even more disruptive than normal, and you don't know the personal circumstances of the people that live there.

I doubt the EAs are looking to try to create an illusion of demand this way. If that was all they were doing, they would want you to see the property - so you could actually make an offer - but convince you of demand some other way.

Suggest you call back within a week and ask for more details. If you are still getting stonewalled, then it might be time to send a letter to the property saying you are interested but the EA won't permit a viewing at this stage; you understand it may be busy but your interest is genuine and you are proceedable, so please get in touch directly or via the EA when possible.

Christina29 · 6 May 2021 at 9:29PM

Nobody is actually living at the property at the moment but thank you for your response and advise about chasing them up next week

Thrugelmir · 6 May 2021 at 9:31PM

Christina29 said:

would there actually be so many viewings there is now a waiting list?

Viewings will be conducted in a defined manner. In days gone by would simply be an open house.

leypt1 · 6 May 2021 at 9:34PM

Sadly this was our recent experience too, to the point where even getting a viewing on a property would be a cause for celebration/relief.

If not the waiting list then the endless parade of useless estate agents who take loads of personal details, say they'll call you back and then never do.

It also results in a really frustrating situation where, having got a viewing, you're only allowed 5 minutes in a house, exit to a queue of about 4 other buyers, and then need to make a decision about whether to buy before you've had a chance to ask any follow-up questions

AnotherJoe · 6 May 2021 at 9:36PM

Christina29 said:

Good evening, I was wondering if anyone could help.
My husband and myself saw a property on rightmove on Friday (before the bank holiday) I requested a viewing via the rightmove website and heard nothing. Then on Wednesday morning I requested a viewing through Hannells own website and again heard nothing so decided to ring Wednesday evening to actually speak to someone. I was told that I would have to be placed on a list now as there were so many viewings for this property, even though they had been closed sat-mon for the bank holiday.

I understand the market is saturated with people trying to get 5% mortgages but do you think the estate agents are using tricks to make the property seem more in demand or would there actually be so many viewings there is now a waiting list?
We really would love to see this property and we genuinely believe we would put an offer in but if we can’t even getting to the viewing stage it seems ridiculous.

Yes, their cunning scheme to get you to pay more is to not let you see the property at all.

Its clear from the press and reports all over that there is a buying frenzy going on at the moment. The Covid handcuffs are nearly off, still some stamp duty reduction possible, new 5% deposit govt backed mortgages, more than a year of pent up demand for house moves, possibly some of that being people who hung back thinking prices would fall and now want to get in before they rise more.

My daughter bought a house for £336k in February, an identical one (this is a cookie cutter estate) within a minutes walk is on for £400k. They wont get that (I think) but the fact they can even put such a huge increase on in a couple months shows there no shortage of buyers

Redwino222 · 6 May 2021 at 9:39PM

Also remember the estate agent has to have staff available for the viewings. The market is busy at the moment, so they are probably struggling to cover everything

Christina29 · 6 May 2021 at 9:40PM

leypt1 said:

Sadly this was our recent experience too, to the point where even getting a viewing on a property would be a cause for celebration/relief.

If not the waiting list then the endless parade of useless estate agents who take loads of personal details, say they'll call you back and then never do.

It also results in a really frustrating situation where, having got a viewing, you're only allowed 5 minutes in a house, exit to a queue of about 4 other buyers, and then need to make a decision about whether to buy before you've had a chance to ask any follow-up questions

Yeah I am very wary of not having a follow up phone call. I rang today but they still said “lots of viewings” but when I asked if anyone had put in a offer I got no reply.

I just don’t want to seem overly keen or desperate to see it but I also don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see it if i can.

It’s frustrating to try and have to make such a huge decision with basically very little time because there are so many other buyers at the moment.

Christina29 · 6 May 2021 at 9:43PM

Redwino222 said:

Also remember the estate agent has to have staff available for the viewings. The market is busy at the moment, so they are probably struggling to cover everything

This is something that I mentioned to my husband, I completely understand they have lots of other properties to show lots of other people and due to the restrictions I imagine their views lists are smaller than normal (I’m hoping) it’s just very difficult having to keep your phone on your all the time whilst at work in case there is a phone call at any time

PollyWollyDoodle · 6 May 2021 at 9:54PM

I’ve been told the same - that they already had so many viewers that there was no point. I’d always ring the estate agent immediately rather than go through Rightmove or try booking through the website, you need to get in ASAP.

GJB1954 · 6 May 2021 at 9:58PM

We saw a property listed Friday late afternoon. Phoned EA on Saturday morning. Informed that vendor was going to notify EA on days for viewing. We again phoned this Wednesday morning when EA opened. Line busy and took lot of recalls to get answered. Then informed that vendor not excepting any more viewings to be booked. Over 20 viewings already. Also asked about another property that went on market which same EA had sent email to us on Tuesday. That was STC on day email sent out. This area properties if any good gone in first couple hours of being advertised. Those that need refurbish or more stay on market.