Required to view a house before offering?

hrf93

Hi,

First time poster, looking to find out if there's any actual legislation around having to physically view a house in person before making an offer.

We have seen a house we love, and have already viewed houses on the same street, and so would feel confident offering as we know this is the house for us. The house is advertised with the same estate agent as our mortgage advisor is affiliated with.

Whether or not this is a wise choice is another matter, but we have been told by our mortgage advisor that *legally* we have to view before we can put an offer in. Is this true? I feel like he's not telling the whole truth and it's more that he knows there's a lot of interest in it or he knows someone else who is also viewing the house. We have a viewing booked on Friday but likely to be the last appointment of the day. 

Any advice much appreciated as I feel we need to be able to trust our mortgage advisor to be working with our best interests in mind, not the seller or the estate agents. 

Thanks,

elsien

If someone was telling me that was the case I would be asking them to show me the relevant legislation.
Can’t see an issue with it myself, because it’s not committing you to anything at this stage.

RelievedSheff

There is nothing that says you have to legally view a property to make an offer.

Whether it is sensible to make an offer without viewing it is another matter entirely.

DullGreyGuy

hrf93 said:

Whether or not this is a wise choice is another matter, but we have been told by our mortgage advisor that *legally* we have to view before we can put an offer in. Is this true? I feel like he's not telling the whole truth and it's more that he knows there's a lot of interest in it or he knows someone else who is also viewing the house. We have a viewing booked on Friday but likely to be the last appointment of the day. 

So a blind person isnt allowed to own property?

Personally... it'd be fairly crazy to buy a property unseen though an offer doesnt bind you to buying anyway. Have seen properties where agents have used archive photos and the places has been trashed since they were taken. Wouldnt necessarily stop me buying but would certainly reduce my offer as it went from a kitchen that was acceptable in the short-mid term to something that needs to be done before moving in etc. 

bobster2

hrf93 said:

Hi,

First time poster, looking to find out if there's any actual legislation around having to physically view a house in person before making an offer.

We have seen a house we love, and have already viewed houses on the same street, and so would feel confident offering as we know this is the house for us. The house is advertised with the same estate agent as our mortgage advisor is affiliated with.

Whether or not this is a wise choice is another matter, but we have been told by our mortgage advisor that *legally* we have to view before we can put an offer in. Is this true? I feel like he's not telling the whole truth and it's more that he knows there's a lot of interest in it or he knows someone else who is also viewing the house. We have a viewing booked on Friday but likely to be the last appointment of the day. 

Any advice much appreciated as I feel we need to be able to trust our mortgage advisor to be working with our best interests in mind, not the seller or the estate agents. 

Thanks,

No law. But a seller might refuse to accept an offer from someone who hadn't viewed (fearing they might pull out or reduce the offer later).

I see the mortage advisor is affiliated with the estate agent selling the house. I would recommend getting a different mortgage advisor!

lincroft1710

Personally, I would be looking for a new mortgage advisor. 


If a person starts telling easily provable lies, how can you trust anything they say? Perhaps the advisor previously worked for Currys or Halfords.

user1977

Yes, it's a statutory obligation under the Complete Ballcocks I Made Up Yesterday Act 2004.

diystarter7

Hi

Its a rule ok, made up by EA's. 

We encountered it when we returned from hols and saw a property for a possible BTL that had offer made accepted they said we could not offer as not viewed and taken off the market. I could have insisted and put in an offer it would have been down to the seller.

EA's bring up that rule as rarely you get people that will want to make an offer and not view as it will almostly likley fall thoruhg

If it was me, I'd make the offer. However, I've read here many times on MSE those that have viewed then complain about this/that and the other and "not picked up in surveys" etc etc

I'm with the EA's but you can insist - you you are cash buyer, even a matching offer may interest the seller and its the law EA has to put offer to sellers

Thanks

eddddy

hrf93 said:

...looking to find out if there's any actual legislation around having to physically view a house in person before making an offer.

There's no legislation like that - and if you make an offer, the estate agent is (almost always) required to pass it on to the seller.

But the estate agent will probably advise the seller very strongly against accepting the offer, and/or taking the house off the market - until you've viewed it.


It's simply because the estate agents know from experience that people who make offers on houses without viewing them are very likely to change their minds and walk away,


(FWIW, I've even heard of estate agents taking the same approach if a couple are buying a house, and only one partner has viewed the house. Again, it's because their experience is that offers often get withdrawn when the other partner eventually views the house.) 

propertyrental

No law.

But neither EAs not the sellers will take your offer very seriously.

At best they might accept on the condition that they continue to market and conduct viewings until such time as you show real commitment - eg pay for a survey for example.

hrf93

Thanks everyone, I thought as much. 

I know it would be silly to put an offer in on an unviewed house, and if he had said as much then I would have been absolutely fine with it, it's the fact he's lied. Were first time buyers and don't really know the ins and Outs yet, but even this rang some alarm bells. 

Time to find a new mortgage advisor!