Estate Agent rushing us during viewing

MissPeachtree

We arrived on time for our viewing.  EA took 5 minutes to unlock the door as they didn't know how the lock worked.  Once inside we got on with viewing.  Asked where boiler was, EA had no idea so we went searching.  Asked where electrics were, no idea so went searching again.  We were being quick and going from room to room quickly looking at things.  Suddenly EA announces we need to leave as they have another appointment to get to.  We were annoyed.  We'd had access to the property for no more than 10 minutes, no time to finish looking at everything.  Needed about 5 more minutes.  Explained that it's a big purchase etc, expected to just get out as EA had more appointments.  Have done about 50 viewings over the years and never been told to get out before.
How would others deal with / respond to this?

Many Thanks

kazwookie

Ask for another viewing.

elsien

Ask for another viewing making it clear beforehand that you need longer than 10 minutes. 

MultiFuelBurner

How big was the property.

I suspect weekends are very busy times for viewings but yes annoying if it took 5 mins to get access.

If you have done 50 viewings over the years is this property a contender or not? You can normally tell in the first few mins.

youth_leader

I hope you can go back for a second viewing.  I only had a ten minute rushed viewing during Covid, it's not long enough.  I did offer but didn't ask for a pre-exchange viewing as the owner had been so nervous, and had a lot of horrible surprises on completion.

LicoriceStick

That's terrible.  I've just got back from a second viewing of a property.  First viewing I'd say we were there for about 30 minutes.  Second time around about 40 minutes.  I'd request a second viewing if you think the house might be right for you. Ask for a different person to show you round if you can.

Flugelhorn

LicoriceStick said:

 Ask for a different person to show you round if you can.

Definitely make it clear you want someone else - we had a problem where they brought the wrong keys (twice) - but they were great about and when the EA had to dash off to next viewing, the manager who had dashed out with the right keys made the point of staying as long as we wanted.

youth_leader said:

I hope you can go back for a second viewing.  I only had a ten minute rushed viewing during Covid, it's not long enough.  I did offer but didn't ask for a pre-exchange viewing as the owner had been so nervous, and had a lot of horrible surprises on completion.

Definitely need PE viewing, we didn't for one house (early Covid days & distance +++ ) but for others have found it v useful - you never know what has happened meantime

lookstraightahead

Just ask for another viewing. EA is paid fir this type of stuff. It's their job.

ArbitraryRandom

EA do seem to book 15 slots for viewings, which I do think is a bit short. Perhaps a first viewing where you're just getting a feel for the place? 

I've found it helpful to walk around with my phone recording a video that I can go back through and watch at my leisure later while deciding if I want a second viewing or not. It also helps to have the footage if there's anything I want to check with someone - it's easy enough to crop down to a 10 second clip that can be shared via WhatsApp.  

eddddy

If it was an evening or weekend - I suspect it was a "Viewing Assistant".

They might be somebody hired on minimum wage on a zero hours contract, to meet viewers at a property and unlock the door. They won't know anything about the property, the seller's situation, etc.

Some estate agents even use agency workers for this. So the "Viewing Assistant" might be running around unlocking doors for lots of different estate agents on the same day.


As others say, phone the estate agent and say that you want a longer second viewing, and you could ask if somebody who knows the property and the sellers would be available. 

lookstraightahead

I just stay there til I'm ready to leave 😂