First Viewing

Firsttimebuyer2021

Hi Everyone,

First viewing organised tomorrow and it’s the owners showing us around...

What are some of the questions we should be asking or is there even any questions we should be asking? 

Thanks in advance everyone for your responses! 

Keswick1uk

What's their time frame.  So you know if you can meet it and add that incentive to any offer you make.

fishfingerbutties

You can ask questions about the neighbourhood if you aren't local, where is the nearest shop, doctors, supermarket etc. 
And yes understand their position - why are they moving, will they be buying onwards, what timescales are they looking to/

moneysavinghero

Ask if they have found anywhere yet. 

Murphybear

Have you had any problems with the neighbours?  Watch their faces carefully when they answer 

LudaMusser

Trust your instincts when they respond to your questions. I think above all else the neighbour’s question is the biggest and probably most important 

Have a look on NetHousePrices, find out how long they’ve been there. If it’s only a few years, why are they moving?

Go upstairs and look out of the back bedroom window. What do the neighbour’s gardens look like? Are they well kept? We viewed a house and a nearby neighbour just behind had wheelie bins thrown down on the front garden and generally looked unkempt. Warning bell

Firsttimebuyer2021

Thanks everyone for your replies! We found out they are moving to a new build due to be complete in December/January, As FTB still living at home we aren’t in a “rush” so at least have that advantage...Do you think asking upfront what they would take for it to come off the market to be too upfront to make sure it also meets our budget as house prices near us have been going crazy above list price? 

musehead

Other than what has been mentioned already, I mostly like to just get a feel of the place on a first viewing rather than asking loads of questions. Match up reality with the floor plan and photos. Generally see how well the house is kept and any obvious visible signs of poor maintenance or trouble with the house.

The neighbors question is important, although quite a bit of research can be done before viewing - if possible, look at the outside of neighbors houses beforehand, check Google Street view (also historic images), check sales records. See if neighboring houses are rented and/or split into flats. I always have a good look out the upstairs back windows into the neighbours gardens if possible. I ruled a property out without viewing last week because I went to walk past it (terraced house), and there were 4 flats on one side and 3 flats on the other. I don't want that many potential problem neighbors!

Scotbot

Firsttimebuyer2021 said:

Thanks everyone for your replies! We found out they are moving to a new build due to be complete in December/January, As FTB still living at home we aren’t in a “rush” so at least have that advantage...Do you think asking upfront what they would take for it to come off the market to be too upfront to make sure it also meets our budget as house prices near us have been going crazy above list price? 

That is an invitation to raise the price. Don't do it. If you like it make an offer subject to the house being taken off the market, if they reject it up the offer. The negotiations will only take a day or two, either they accept what you can afford or they don't.

No point in starting a bidding war when you don't know if there are others interested. If someone else does offer and has more money than you nothing you can do about it.