House Buyers Want to Bring Architects In

greyteam1959

I am in the process of selling my empty house.
I have had an offer from a buyer & even before a Memorandum Of Sale has been issued the buyers have requested that their architects are allowed access.
I find this a bit disconcerting to be honest.
Should I wait until Exchange of Contracts before allowing this ??
Any comments ??
 

km1500

I must admit I don't really understand why don't you just let the architect in?

greyteam1959

Mainly because I have nothing to say the prospective buyers are going to buy the property !!

Martico

It suggests to me that they're serious about wanting the property - let them in

BarelySentientAI

And they might want to know what the architect says before they decide for certain.

Are you also going to refuse access for surveyors?  For any other inspections that they might want/need?

There's at least one poster on here who takes the view of "two viewings and then you're banned until it's paid for".  Most of us don't see the point in being difficult about it, especially on an empty house.

cymruchris

Maybe they want to make sure what they want to do is 'doable' so it doesn't waste your time or theirs.

Would you rather you accept the offer - the architect goes in the day before exchange and they pull out because they can't get their project off the ground?

Do you have anything to hide? If not - try to be a co-operative seller.

ognum

I would let architect in even before an offer, how does it hurt?

greyteam1959

BarelySentientAI said:

And they might want to know what the architect says before they decide for certain.

Are you also going to refuse access for surveyors?  For any other inspections that they might want/need?

There's at least one poster on here who takes the view of "two viewings and then you're banned until it's paid for".  Most of us don't see the point in being difficult about it, especially on an empty house.

I am not refusing access to anyone.
I am not being difficult either.

MeteredOut

cymruchris said:

Maybe they want to make sure what they want to do is 'doable' so it doesn't waste your time or theirs.

Would you rather you accept the offer - the architect goes in the day before exchange and they pull out because they can't get their project off the ground?

Do you have anything to hide? If not - try to be a co-operative seller.

This. They are most likely wanting to make some changes to the property and need their architect to guide them on viability and, possibly, rough costs.

For me, that would add a slight risk to the sale proceeding, so I'd not necessarily take the house off the market, but I'd certainly allow the architect to do her thing.

cymruchris

greyteam1959 said:

BarelySentientAI said:

And they might want to know what the architect says before they decide for certain.

Are you also going to refuse access for surveyors?  For any other inspections that they might want/need?

There's at least one poster on here who takes the view of "two viewings and then you're banned until it's paid for".  Most of us don't see the point in being difficult about it, especially on an empty house.

I am not refusing access to anyone.
I am not being difficult either.

From a buyer's perspective  you might come across as being so though if you insisted they waited until exchange before allowing access to an architect (even if it's not your intention). Try not to put up roadblocks from the get go - if you can be as co-operative and approachable as possible, you'll hopefully get a smooth, easy sale.

BobT36

Clearly this means they WANT to buy the house.. 
If they find something that puts them off (such as part of their project that will be impossible), isn't it better they find that out and pull out sooner, rather than later?