Going back for another viewing after offer accepted

Irishpearce26

lookstraightahead said:

Irishpearce26 said:

lookstraightahead said:

Irishpearce26 said:

lookstraightahead said:

babyblade41 said:

I know as soon as I walk in the door what I'm viewing is the one or not.  Ive done my due diligence, know the area ,read the floor plans so the viewing is dotting the i's and crossing the t's 

I don't measure up as it's a pointless task which is better done after moving in .

I do the viewings which give people ample time to wander through the house and ask any questions , I allow a visit before exchange but express to my agent that at that point there will be no agreement for any deductions, they should be negotiated at the start 

I have a lot of animals that are in various degrees of distress and having people constantly wanting silly viewings "measuring up" is a no go for me If they want to ask specifically about something they aren't sure of just ask at enquiry stage 

I've just bought a really old house. I loved it and made an offer straight away (all of which I kept to as understood that it's an old house and would have lots of work doing).

I took out quite a small mortgage so valuation was really on me with the back up of a structural surveyor. The roof was wobbly so I felt the need to get up there abs have a look. There was no side access and lots of alterations to do so had to check they were physically possible. There were some issues coming from the TR forms that meant I had to put my mind at rest.

my vendors knew this as they had also bought the house 10 years previously. They were obviously happy to let me check these things out.

I would categorically not have spent £300k of my own money by not checking out these things. 

Maybe it's a sign of the times but when it's harder to sell maybe vendors won't find it so hard to put themselves out a bit.

The comment isn't about due diligence, clearly says that they allow the vendor the time to do the checks they need. Its about people thinking they can arrange multiple viewings and have companies come round to measure for curtains, blinds, carpets and new kitchens etc. Which can all be done when you move in.

Its about need over necessity. 

That's not what the op was saying.

I can't see many people talking about curtains to be fair.

I suspect the stress is more about vendors thinking buyers will change their minds / offer lower. Keeping them away isn't going to alter that.

The OP or the person who commented. 

The OP asked whether it was worth going for a 2nd viewing then another viewing just before exchange. Some of us have commented that unless you really need to and you are happy with your survey etc then why bother just wait and view before exchange. Other people have commented about going up to 6 times to view with most of that being to 'measure up' because its your right. That has no bearing on whether you will buy the place anyone who says other wise is being pedantic.

Not in my experience, I've been confident that the sale was going to go ahead with no issues. The stress was the buyer wanting to come multiple times at the time I would be sorting my toddler out for dinner, bath and bed not to mention the desire to have contractors come to do their measuring and asking if the room isn't filled with boxes. That's the inconvenient stress im talking about.

Where's the 6 times to measure up comment?

I don't think anyone said that.

You're advised by surveyors to have electrics etc checked before you move in. With a first visit, a surveyor visit, an electricians visit and a pre-exchange visit that's 4 visits very worthy of due diligence straight away, unless of course you are all of those professionals and know everything about the house from the outside before you even go in.

it would be useful for vendors to understand this prior to putting their house on the market.

I get that contractors shouldn't visit during bedtimes. I struggle to find contractors to come out in the evenings full stop.

I have accommodated buyers though at more than awkward times. Even looking after they'd two toddlers, and mine, while they had a good look around. 

It was posted by someone further back in the chain, they are the person that had 6 viewings plus a one hour measuring up session.

Again it depends on the due diligence the person wants to take which again I have never said shouldn't happen. My survey came back fine, the house I was buying was 20 years old and from my checks I was happy. I don't know many people who get an electrician in as well as a surveyor unless the survey listed the electrics as a concern which then comes back to my point on due diligence.

I will happily let a buyer do the relevant checks as long as it doesn't inconvenience my family routine. However when someone just wants to book a viewing after dinner to just look around again and then state they want various companies to come and take measurements 3 weeks before completion just isn't necessary. That's my point

babyblade41

I certainly don't allow trades people after survey , all surveys will state electrics may not be up to standard as well as boilers .
I'm not sure what sparks are going to be able to do apart from look as no one would allow intrusive inspections .

I have bought and sold 18 times and not once have I been asked for an electrical inspection as pretty much all would come back as not up to current standards 

It really is about what is acceptable and how the first viewing is done.

I allow plenty of time for potential buyers to look around on their own and then answer any questions they might have either now or in future, but any questions after viewing goes through the legal channels.

I never allow my mobile number to be given out either , this is a business transaction, nothing more .

I am also very strict on who buys, they must be able to proceed , they must be able to afford it , quite simple .

bannanna

Wow thanks all for taking the time to respond.

Our first viewing was quite time pressured as there was a queue of people waiting to see it that afternoon - lots and lots of interest and offers placed over the next few days, thankfully ours was accepted but only after one 25 minute viewing. As a first visit, I was happy that it truly was a lovely house that we could be very happy in, instructed the solicitor and applied for a mortgage same day, didn't wait for mortgage offer before instructing surveyor etc etc so I am not dragging my feet, definitely a committed buyer! But would like to go back and take another look now we have the surveyors findings, just to see what he is referring to in a few of his comments. There was nothing too concerning but it would help me to prepare for what small works might need doing and to give me a headstart on sorting my finances/exploring some options on how any work might be approached. Also would like to take some measurements as a floorplan is not provided on the listing and the property is 140+ years old with a few quirks (e.g. strangely placed doors/radiators, very narrow staircases - I'm a bit worried about whether my bed would get round the tight corner). Thankfully the house is empty so I wouldn't be causing any trouble to the vendor to go back. 

Again, thanks all for your replies, so helpful as always and interesting to hear a broad range of views. 

MrsBrush

There is a huge difference between going to take a final look at an empty property and going to a still occupied family home, particularly in the evenings where vendors are rushing around as home from work, bedtimes and trying to get meals sorted etc.

Don't get me wrong, I would be accommodating IF the request is reasonable and at a mutually suitable time. But, it would need to be on the basis that the place is a tip because of decluttering, empty cupboards with the contents in piles of boxes, and we are still trying to live and work at home in the ensuing chaos! Given the choice, with this situation, I cant see how it would help the buyer anyway, as radiators, windows etc are less accessible because of the packing and stacked up boxes, making it harder to see the things you want to look at. I also wouldn't want to run the risk of a buyer not seeing past all this and thinking we had turned into mad hoarders, and deciding that this gives them licence to chuck in a cheeky price reduction!

greensalad

We did a second viewing just recently. Our initial viewing had been quite quick as it was still pre-vaccination and our vendor was recovering from an operation and a bit skittish re: COVID (which we completely understood). Our second viewing they allowed us to open cupboards, measure up, get a better idea of some things which we really appreciated. We knew we loved the house still, it was just a chance to delve into all those cupboards and storage areas we didn't look at in our first 15 minute viewing. We were only there for about 45 minutes on the second. I'd probably not bother with a 3rd before completion now. Is that normally advised?

lookstraightahead

babyblade41 said:

I certainly don't allow trades people after survey , all surveys will state electrics may not be up to standard as well as boilers .
I'm not sure what sparks are going to be able to do apart from look as no one would allow intrusive inspections .

I have bought and sold 18 times and not once have I been asked for an electrical inspection as pretty much all would come back as not up to current standards 

It really is about what is acceptable and how the first viewing is done.

I allow plenty of time for potential buyers to look around on their own and then answer any questions they might have either now or in future, but any questions after viewing goes through the legal channels.

I never allow my mobile number to be given out either , this is a business transaction, nothing more .

I am also very strict on who buys, they must be able to proceed , they must be able to afford it , quite simple .

To be fair I do agree that all questions should go through the legal channels and there should be no reliance on what the owner might think or believe as they are certainly not experts.

As a buyer you really need to do your due diligence and ask as much as you need to. I suppose this might be a suitable alternative to extra visits. Will take longer, but so be it.

op, at the end of the day it's down to "buyer beware". So the emphasis is on you being happy with what you are buying, as there is little chance of redress afterwards. It is up to you to make sure you've checked things out - indeed this would be a vendors defence, and you see it in lots of threads on here where buyers are complaining after they've moved in that something doesn't work etc. Almost everyone comes back with "didn't you check?" And "buyer beware". 

There's a slight chance I suppose that the vendor might get fed up if your questions or visits and pull the plug, but it's unlikely. Do what you need to to be satisfied with your huge spend.

Adezoo

Definitely ask for another viewing. It’s within your rights as you’re in the processing of buying the property!! Just make sure to ask beforehand and let them agree a convenient day!