How to prepare for pre-exchange viewing

Swash

Hi,

A representative of the buyer of my house is viewing tomorrow, before we exchange later this week. (They are an international buyer so cannot come themselves). We are almost 10 months into this process so it's been a long time since it went on the market. 

What can I do to make sure they don't change their mind? I'm terrified of having to start again after so long.

The obvious things are making sure it is clean, tidy and decluttered. But we have boxes of our things already packed in the dining room and spare room. Would this put you off?
We jet washed the patio and tidied up the garden and driveway yesterday. Can you think of anything else?

Thanks,
Swash

eddddy

I imagine they'll be looking for things that might have deteriorated, got broken or got damaged since they last viewed.

For example, have damp patches appeared, have any kitchen worktops got new burn marks, has the boiler packed up, has a fitted carpet got stained, has the garden become overgrown?

They might also want to check specific things - like window sizes for curtains, length of walls for furniture.

Is the house being bought for investment (BTL), or are the buyers moving to the UK? If they're moving it might be to work out how much of their furniture will fit.

Was the booking arranged via the EA? If so, maybe they gave the EA an idea of why they want to view.

moneysavinghero

You are not looking for a buyer for the property. So don't get over concerned about everything have to be clean and tidy. They will just be doing their due diligence before they become contractually obliged to buy your house. So they will just want to see that it's still in the same condition as when they viewing before. Has is not burnt down? Check. Has the bathroom not been smashed up? Check. 

Sounds like you have done more than enough. Just relax, if your house is still standing you should be ok.

user1977

Swash said:

The obvious things are making sure it is clean, tidy and decluttered. But we have boxes of our things already packed in the dining room and spare room. Would this put you off?

Why would they care about that? They're looking at the condition of the property they're buying, not your skills in keeping your possessions tidy.

knightstyle

Packed boxes could be taken as a good sign that you are getting ready to move out on time.

AdrianC

Swash said:

A representative of the buyer of my house is viewing tomorrow, before we exchange later this week. (They are an international buyer so cannot come themselves). We are almost 10 months into this process so it's been a long time since it went on the market. 

What can I do to make sure they don't change their mind?

Not much...

Is it just a pre-exchange "All's well"? Then signs of packing will be a good thing. When's completion scheduled for?

Are they buying as a UK home for themselves, or as an investment?
Either way, to have got to the eve of exchange involves the investment of time and money. They are unlikely to walk away on a whim now.

Weathergirl_76

My friend viewed the property she was purchasing a few days before exchange to check there were no leaks or signs of damage, as the property was empty and had been for several months. The owners (not occupiers) had removed the electric fire which they should not have, so she spotted this and raised it with the agent. 

I would be pleased to see boxes as it shows you are getting ready to move. 

Drawingaline

Our pre exchange viewing was to check there was no damage as it had been empty for a few months (our vendors moved abroad) also the chance to take the kids to view as there hadn't been a chance to do this previously due to covid.

Also to double check things like water pressure, where the boiler was, and how big storage cupboards were. 

I wouldn't be too concerned 

Swash

Thanks all, you've made me feel better already. I know I may be overthinking it but our last buyer pulled out last minute, so I don't want the same to happen again for whatever reason.

Hopefully it will all go okay and once we have exchanged I can relax.

Swash.

catshark88

We did this when buying our last place as the process had taken SO LONG. Just wanted to check everything was as it was when we made our offer eg house still there, in good nick sort of thing. Nothing to worry about.

JS21

We're doing the same this week before we exchange. It's been a few months since we last saw the place and offered and just want to make sure there's no major changes/damages since, to measure up the size of the rooms and spaces for freestanding appliances we need to purchase as well as space for items such as beds/measurement for curtains and stairs to replace carpet - this is especially as most places around us have a 3-4 week lead time on orders/fitters etc.