Knocking on someone's door to ask them to view their property

skm1981

My mother-in-law is looking to move to the area where we live and the house next door is up for sale.  I don't mind the thought of her living next door, but she called the agent a few times and the agent just cannot get them a viewing booked in.  First off they said that the sellers were on holiday.  And now they've still not been able to get a viewing booked in, but I'm not sure what the reason is.

Anyway, my mother in law is coming to visit this week and she is talking about knocking next door to ask them if it would be possible to view, but I absolute hate the idea of her doing this.  If it wasn't my neighbour, then it's up to her, but my mother in law is going to be staying with me while they're visiting so there's every chance the neighbours will know they're related to us in some way.  

If I had my house up for sale, I really wouldn't like someone just turning up at my door asking to view, and I'm also thinking if the estate agent - who has a big incentive to sell that house - can't get them a viewing, turning up on their doorstep is probably not going to work either.  Do people do this?  I've only ever sold one house and I never had this happen to me, thankfully, but isn't it a bit of an odd thing to do?  I was thinking if she's that desperate, maybe putting a note through their door would be a more reasonable and less pushy way to go.  Or is that still OTT?

housebuyer143

skm1981 said:

My mother-in-law is looking to move to the area where we live and the house next door is up for sale.  I don't mind the thought of her living next door, but she called the agent a few times and the agent just cannot get them a viewing booked in.  First off they said that the sellers were on holiday.  And now they've still not been able to get a viewing booked in, but I'm not sure what the reason is.

Anyway, my mother in law is coming to visit this week and she is talking about knocking next door to ask them if it would be possible to view, but I absolute hate the idea of her doing this.  If it wasn't my neighbour, then it's up to her, but my mother in law is going to be staying with me while they're visiting so there's every chance the neighbours will know they're related to us in some way.  

If I had my house up for sale, I really wouldn't like someone just turning up at my door asking to view, and I'm also thinking if the estate agent - who has a big incentive to sell that house - can't get them a viewing, turning up on their doorstep is probably not going to work either.  Do people do this?  I've only ever sold one house and I never had this happen to me, thankfully, but isn't it a bit of an odd thing to do?  I was thinking if she's that desperate, maybe putting a note through their door would be a more reasonable and less pushy way to go.  Or is that still OTT?

I have done it to a few houses I was interested in and passing and I was let in, although I would normally go through the agent.

If it's your neighbour I would have less reservations, hell, my neighbours just invite me in for the grand tour for no reason 😂 before I moved in I knocked a few doors and a few just invited me in 🤷‍♂️
Not sure of your relationship but you already know the neighbour so I would ask them in passing or just knock and explain and ask if you can bring her around..

Simonon77

How well do you know the neighbours? If you are friendly with them, pop round and tell them your MIL is interested, and she is coming to stay so can she have a viewing. If they looking to sell I can't see them turning down a prospective buyer.

I have had people leave notes a couple of times ( and I wasn't even selling ) and it didnt bother me at all. They were polite and just said they loved the bungalow and wanted to move to the area, so contact them if I was interested. 

MultiFuelBurner

You are the obvious choice as the middle person here to strike up a conversation with your neighbours. Especially with decent weather perfect excuse to have a chin wag?

Get on it👍

UnderOffer

Perhaps pop a note through their door, briefly explaining and ask if your MiL can view their home whilst she is visiting? 

Leave your number so they can text a response if you and they are not the type of neighbours who know each other’s name, take parcels, exchange Xmas cards and chat at the front when passing each other. 

skm1981

We've only lived here a couple of years and I can honestly say I wouldn't know what my neighbours looked like if I passed them on the street.  I barely ever see them.  So I have no relationship with them whatsoever.  I should have clarified that, because yes that would be the obvious answer, but I don't know them at all.  We also have a big 6ft fence between our gardens, so not like I can pop out in the garden and have a quick chat if they're out there.

For various reasons, I'm wondering if they're going through a divorce and maybe that's why there's a bit of an issue getting a viewing.  So I did think maybe it's up for sale, but one party doesn't want to sell.  I don't know and it's none of my business, but I would just find it really intrusive if somebody knocked on my door.  Surely if the estate agent can't get them a viewing, knocking at their door isn't going to work either?

Slinky

I do think it's a shame that you can live next door to people for 2 years and not even know what they look like. They could have become good neighbours and friends. But that's by the by.  If it was me, I'd put a note through the door on behalf of your mother in law and hope that works.

When we sold our house a couple knocked on the door asking if they could view. The agent had put 'open house' on the flash on the advert which they had interpreted (so they said) that they could come and knock anytime, rather than contacting the agent for booking on the viewing day we had agreed with the agent.

eddddy

As others suggest, maybe put a note through their door in advance saying something like...

My MiL is house hunting in this area.... I mentioned to her that you house is for sale and she's interested... she's visiting me on this date.... could she pop-in for a quick informal viewing? (With your phone number and/or address.)


If you hear nothing... maybe tell your MiL that you left the neighbours a note, but they didn't reply, so it seems that they are not interested in selling anymore (and that you don't know why).

skm1981

Slinky said:

I do think it's a shame that you can live next door to people for 2 years and not even know what they look like. They could have become good neighbours and friends. But that's by the by.  If it was me, I'd put a note through the door on behalf of your mother in law and hope that works.

They're hardly ever there, I never see them outside their house.  I don't know, I used to live in London and it was pretty standard for people to not talk to each other.  It doesn't bother me, they keep themselves to themselves.

I'm going to tell my mother in law to put a note through cos I feel like if I put the note through, they might just think why didn't I knock.  And I'm not knocking because I don't really want the first conversation I ever have with them to be about my mother in law buying their house.  I don't know, I feel awkward about it.

ThisIsWeird

Many EAs state very clearly "viewings strictly by arrangement through..." and, yes, it can be poor form to knock uninvited on a 'for sale' door.

It'll likely put the owners in a dilemma - they won't want to discourage a potential buyer, but they also might not want someone coming in that hasn't been vetted by the EA (it could be anybody, even someone casing the joint...), or it might just not be a good time for them - visitors, a messy kitchen, whatevs. So, if anyone were to do this, I think it should be prefixed with a very contrite, "Look, I know this is an imposition, and please tell me straight off if it's not ok with you, but just in case it's fine..."

I'd add extra caution in this instance, tho', since the EA is seemingly struggling to arrange viewings - I cannot think of any good reason for this, so I'm guessing the chances are the 'situation' in that home is 'awkward'.

But, I can see no harm whatsoever in dropping a note through the door as suggested above.

Skm, will your mil take your advice on this? If not, do you really want her next door... :-)

youth_leader

I wasn't happy when a man my late husband had employed at our house as a carpenter knocked one Sunday.  I wasn't 'viewing ready' but did let him in, but felt very uncomfortable.  I let the estate agent know on the Monday, and he booked through them to come again - with his family - the following Sunday.  

My EA closed at noon on a Saturday, I was always willing to do the weekend viewings.