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

TBagpuss

skm1981 said:

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?

I can understand feeling awkward about knocking on the door (or having your MIL do so) and t could be uncomfortable if they felt pressured to let her view then and there.

I'd suggest either:
1. have your spouse go round and ask, before their mum arrives (so they can make clear that they are asking if iot's possible to arrange a convenient time, not expecting to be let in then and there)
OR
2. Either you or your spouse write a brief note explaining that your mother / MIL is househunting, that she's tried to book a viewing through the agents but they haven't got back to her, and asking whether it's possible to arrange one for her. Mention that you are neighbours and when she's is visiting, and include a number or email address so they can respond.

FarmGirl78

It looks like I'm the only person who finds it a bit suss that the Estate Agent "can't get a viewing". Maybe I'm just being pessimistic but I find that difficult to believe. Perhaps the Agent has a builder/landlord friend lined up they'd like to sell to, and so are putting off other potential buyers.

If I was the OP I'd be getting a note through the door as fast as my little legs would carry me. I'd do everything possible to have a 'known' quantity move in next door rather than risk it going to a landlord who could get poor tenants in.

OP, you have no relationship with your Neighbours to preserve.....put your big girl pants on, throw caution to the wind with feeling awkward and get that note pushed through that door.......is it worth playing roulette?

MultiFuelBurner

Who is the agent, just checking it's not Purple Bricks who are going through a merger/takeover/drowning right now.

hulu72

FarmGirl78 said:

It looks like I'm the only person who finds it a bit suss that the Estate Agent "can't get a viewing". Maybe I'm just being pessimistic but I find that difficult to believe. Perhaps the Agent has a builder/landlord friend lined up they'd like to sell to, and so are putting off other potential buyers.

If I was the OP I'd be getting a note through the door as fast as my little legs would carry me. I'd do everything possible to have a 'known' quantity move in next door rather than risk it going to a landlord who could get poor tenants in.

OP, you have no relationship with your Neighbours to preserve.....put your big girl pants on, throw caution to the wind with feeling awkward and get that note pushed through that door.......is it worth playing roulette?

This is fairly pessimistic. If the agent had someone lined up then they’d be introduced and the property wouldn’t be marketed or show as sold stc. Agents have to act in the vendors interests and can’t discriminate against buyers. It’s not worth the risk for them in the chance something like this happens and someone may put a note through their door

As an EA I’ve come across various different circumstances. We had an instance like this recently with a property being sold due to divorce, one party has no intention of selling and don’t engage in any communication. A buyer didn’t believe that we couldn’t get a viewing so went round and knocked on the door. They was told in no uncertain terms by the vendor to get off their property, which resulted in us also got a very angry phone call from the vendor.

OP the best thing to do is to speak to the agent and ask the situation, if there’s no clear reason then put a note through the door and see if anything comes from it