Pre-exchange viewing

verytired11

I am close to exchange.  My solicitor is drawing up the legal report and all being well we will exchange next week.  However there are some outstanding queries from the survey. To speed things up and also to plan for the move, I asked if we could do a second viewing. Initially the seller agreed and a date was booked for the viewing.   But then the agents said I had to withdraw the survey queries going through the solicitors before I could do the viewing. I agreed as there was nothing too important in my questions.  But then the agents started putting pressure on me to exchange the following day so that the viewing would be after exchange.  That wasn't going to be possible because I haven't had the legal report yet. The upshot is that the viewing has been cancelled and I am left wondering what is the seller trying to hide? The agent says she is very anxious - it's a divorce situation and so this is plausible. Should I insist on the viewing, reinstate my queries or just let it drop and move to exchange?

Irishpearce26

Sounds like she may feel you want to do another viewing to potentially re-negotiate or something. I would reach out and be clear what your intentions are with the viewing.

verytired11

Irishpearce26 said:

Sounds like she may feel you want to do another viewing to potentially re-negotiate or something. I would reach out and be clear what your intentions are with the viewing.

I have already done that and the agent understands and believes I am genuine.  It's extremely frustrating as I don't feel I can proceed without being satisfied either by viewing or by having questions answered.

Toots0293

This sounds very suspect to me. It sounds like they are trying to hide something here.. especially if you have confirmed why you want to visit. I’ve seen the house I’m buying 3 times, the last time just before exchange. The sellers were lovely, and actually invited me back any time until completion. Now, my sellers might just be super accommodating - but your situation would be an issue for me. I personally wouldn’t let it drop, and I would insist on a viewing before exchange - ESPECIALLY if they aren’t answering your survey queries.. 

2bFrank

Definitely something suspect going on here. I did a variety of viewings before I exchanged, but after I offered. Most people are happy to, some will be grumpy and straight out refuse, but here they seem so suspect, especially asking you to cancel certain questions etc.

Id give them an ultimatium, say you no longer feel confident with the transaction, and you wont be proceeding until you have revisited the property. you risk losing the home, but in all honesty, you might be dodging a bullet.

saajan_12

verytired11 said:

I am close to exchange.  My solicitor is drawing up the legal report and all being well we will exchange next week.  However there are some outstanding queries from the survey. To speed things up and also to plan for the move, I asked if we could do a second viewing. Initially the seller agreed and a date was booked for the viewing.   But then the agents said I had to withdraw the survey queries going through the solicitors before I could do the viewing. I agreed as there was nothing too important in my questions.  But then the agents started putting pressure on me to exchange the following day so that the viewing would be after exchange.  That wasn't going to be possible because I haven't had the legal report yet. The upshot is that the viewing has been cancelled and I am left wondering what is the seller trying to hide? The agent says she is very anxious - it's a divorce situation and so this is plausible. Should I insist on the viewing, reinstate my queries or just let it drop and move to exchange?

What are the questions? I can't imagine a reasonably finite list of questions that would replace a pre-exchange viewing. You're agreeing to buy the house as it is at the point of exchange, so I'd say its key to view the house very close to (just before) exchange. 

I'd clearly state you are not and will not be ready to exchange until 
- you have legal report
- final viewing is done

verytired11

Thanks all. This was much needed clarity. I have notified the agents that I will need to see the property again, and I am ready to walk away if the viewing is not offered.  If they decline the viewing again then I have the answer that there is clearly something they don't want me to know about, and I don't want any unpleasant surprises after completion.