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How embarrassing: checking under rugs, in cupboards etc when viewing a house?
Nenen
Posts: 2,379 Forumite
On another thread, Generali mentioned one should look round and check thoroughly when viewing as a house-buyer found (after moving in) that several major flaws had been hidden, eg stains on carpets were hidden under rugs. 'Caveat emptor' was mentioned as the rule which I know is true. However, personally I'd be far too embarrassed when looking round a house to pick up rugs etc!
It's weird isn't it that many people are so reticent when making such a large purchase. My dh is bored with me keep saying I'd spend longer trying on a dress than I have looking round some houses (especially when shown by EA who always seems in a hurry and only allows 10-15 minutes maximum).
Our last house was marketed as having a refitted kitchen and this was a real selling point... looked lovely on viewing. When we moved in we found that the drawers were all wonky and didn't open and close without a real struggle. Had to get a carpenter to sort them out and cost a fair bit to do so. This time, when I've viewed houses I've tried to casually ask if it's OK to open a drawer to see how it runs. From the reponses I've had you'd think I was asking to watch the couple selling having nuptials! :eek:
Another place we viewed the couple were buying in France and said that it is common there for potential buyers to take photographs as they go round (some even take videos) so that they can look at them when they get home before putting in an offer. That struck me as a really good idea... it's often difficult to remember details of a property, especially when we have viewed several in one day (and the EA ones are often hopeless). However, I haven't yet plucked up the courage to ask if it would be OK to do that!
I'd love to know what vendors think about people asking to pick up rugs, open cupboards and/or take photos... what is the cheekiest thing you've ever seen/been asked by buyers and what have buyers done (either with or without vendors knowledge)?
It's weird isn't it that many people are so reticent when making such a large purchase. My dh is bored with me keep saying I'd spend longer trying on a dress than I have looking round some houses (especially when shown by EA who always seems in a hurry and only allows 10-15 minutes maximum).
Our last house was marketed as having a refitted kitchen and this was a real selling point... looked lovely on viewing. When we moved in we found that the drawers were all wonky and didn't open and close without a real struggle. Had to get a carpenter to sort them out and cost a fair bit to do so. This time, when I've viewed houses I've tried to casually ask if it's OK to open a drawer to see how it runs. From the reponses I've had you'd think I was asking to watch the couple selling having nuptials! :eek:
Another place we viewed the couple were buying in France and said that it is common there for potential buyers to take photographs as they go round (some even take videos) so that they can look at them when they get home before putting in an offer. That struck me as a really good idea... it's often difficult to remember details of a property, especially when we have viewed several in one day (and the EA ones are often hopeless). However, I haven't yet plucked up the courage to ask if it would be OK to do that!
I'd love to know what vendors think about people asking to pick up rugs, open cupboards and/or take photos... what is the cheekiest thing you've ever seen/been asked by buyers and what have buyers done (either with or without vendors knowledge)?
“A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles.”
(Tim Cahill)
(Tim Cahill)
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When I bought a house I said at the end of the viewing I wanted it.
I then requested a 2nd viewing a bit later and took 72 photos (12 rooms).
When I sold it, the buyers came round for about 4 viewings before their final one when they asked to come with a camera/tape measure. I was fine with that.
Next time I will definitely want to go over the property with a fine tooth comb. I think I will view it twice. Then make an offer, subject to survey and me coming round for an in-depth poke about. I will have no shame during the poke about. It's a lot of money to buy a house.0 -
When I allow people to view my house I ask them to remove their shoes, you would not believe the fuss this can cause.
However if they were going to buy the property why would they not want to keep what will be their own future carpets clean?0 -
The more properties I've viewed over the years, the more cynical I've become. More than once I've measured the rooms in front of the agent & have found the measurements to be exaggerated. When a friend viewed a Brighton house, the patio that had been described in the blurb as "neat & contained" turned out to be big enough for a wheelie bin & not much else. My attitude now is that I'll be lucky to have the time & patience to view a property twice, so I intend to see as much as I can in the first viewing. I don't look in wardrobes unless the property is empty (my friend always looks, especially if they're the floor-to-ceiling type & are under a bathroom, as there could be damp or signs of a leak inside or behind them), but I'm perfectly happy to move couches, lift rugs, check behind cookers, check any units actually operate properly etc. I even check the toilet flushes properly & taps aren't dripping.
I always ask before actually touching things. One woman carried on like I'd asked for her left lung when I asked to check the shower, so I ended the viewing there & then. Renting or buying, you're handing over good money & should get the best value you can for it. BSC #53 - "Never mistake activity for achievement."
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)| National Debtline| Business Debtline| Find your local CAB0 -
Personally, I have no problem in giving anything I'm going to buy a good going over. If I spending a few hundred quid on something electrical then I'll see if I can break it easily in the shop: twist knobs the wrong way, slam the door, hit the switch etc.
If someone wants me to give them a few hundred thousand then you can be sure that I'm going to know what I'm getting in to.0 -
Always check to see if any of the door hinges have any screws missing.
It's a simple indication of sloppy workmanship and cut corners if they have.
And something that the vendor thinks you won't notice.
What else do they hope you won't notice?dolce vita's stock reply templates
#1. The people that run these "sell your house and rent back" companies are generally lying thieves and are best avoided
#2. This time next year house prices in general will be lower than they are now
#3. Cheap houses are a good thing not a bad thing0 -
Do you need to embarass yourself and vendors by poking around to a great extent? Isn't it easier to get your solicitor to draw up a list asking all these questions as they have to respond truthfully, else you could then sue them. ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
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Do you need to embarass yourself and vendors by poking around to a great extent? Isn't it easier to get your solicitor to draw up a list asking all these questions as they have to respond truthfully, else you could then sue them.
Not sure whether the drawers open properly etc. is within the remit of a solicitor. I thought houses were sold as seen...0 -
Not sure whether the drawers open properly etc. is within the remit of a solicitor. I thought houses were sold as seen...
No you can now draw up a check list to ask these questions and vendor has to answer truthfully. ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
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It might be easier, but the solicitor isn't going to be living there, you are. The vendor has to answer questions honestly, but when all is said & done, you might be annoyed about having to pay to remedy things you didn't know about beforehand, but chances are you'll be so glad to be in your new home that you'll be unlikely to take the matter further if you've found they've been economical with the truth on something you can get fixed for a couple of hundred pounds.Do you need to embarass yourself and vendors by poking around to a great extent? Isn't it easier to get your solicitor to draw up a list asking all these questions as they have to respond truthfully, else you could then sue them.
It's much better to check out as much as you can yourself rather than depend on someone else's assessment - what someone else sees as a minor issue could be a real annoyance to you. To me, the only embarrassment will be felt by those with something to hide. A couple of people spotting something the vendor hoped they wouldn't should be enough for the vendor to sort it out for themselves or be more open about it anyway. BSC #53 - "Never mistake activity for achievement."
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)| National Debtline| Business Debtline| Find your local CAB0 -
I wouldn't mind people testing things while I was selling a home, as long as they were polite about it.
I previously sold a house when I was living alone. I had a really rough day at work and was vegging on the sofa as you do! Then the buyer called and asked if it would be ok to pop over that evening as an Aunt was visiting and she wanted to have a look round. I said it was fine, just expecting him to give her a brief tour and go.
Then 2 car loads of people turned up with him. Apparantly they were having a family get together and they all decided to come!
They were there for nearly 2 hours all wandering in and out of rooms, opening cupboards and testing things. They just spread out all over the place so I couldn't keep an eye on all of them. There's the trust issue when strangers are going through your home - how easy would it be to slip a piece of jewellry or cheque book or something in your pocket. I was concerned about them going through my personal things and it's just not nice when people are opening drawers with your underwear in.
I was absolutely worn out by the time they finally left!0
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