Meeting the seller after offer accepted

Myci85

We had the vendor showing us round on second viewings for two properties, including the one we are currently buying. I feel they're far more useful at that stage as they can answer your questions directly rather than the EA either guessing or having to go back to the vendor to check things. 

Herzlos

I didn't have a 2nd viewing as such, but the seller invited me over to show me where the utilities were and how stuff like the oven worked, and to see if I wanted any furniture. Gained a lot of info I wouldn't otherwise have got from the estate agent.

If the offers already accepted you don't have much to lose, and there's probably some priceless information about quirks of the house like that door handle you need to jiggle funny or where the water stopcock is, how stingy the neighbour on one side is, and so on.

theartfullodger

Do it.  Polite, friendly, calm saying you like it.

You might learn something useful.  For free. & Probably coffees 

ThisIsWeird

Hoenir said:

On a second viewing you'll notice far more detail. The owners are best placed to directly answer specific questions you may have. 

And they have to answer any Q's honestly
Chances are it's a helpful, bona fide, offer by the vendors to assist. But you will get some weirdos, from those who are so protective of their house that they'll be vetting you, to those who want to hide some info, and don't trust the EA to do so.
But most are normal

Pleeeeez report back! 

bobster2

1122abc said:

I’ve had an offer accepted on a property and I’ve requested a second viewing. The viewing was initially arranged with the EA, but the seller has invited us over for a chat and to host the viewing themselves. I’ve not come across this before. Has anyone else done/heard of this and what are the benefits and the drawbacks?

Yes - but more as part of a visit I requested. I asked to visit to check some details of locks etc (so I could complete insurance application accurately). But sellers wanted to a have chat to tell me about various features of the house, garden and their history.

Bluebell1000

After our survey we went back and had a coffee with the sellers, and talked through work they'd had done (which related to queries in the report). It was really useful.

TheJP

I had a second viewing with the owners present, i left not really having had a chance to do what i wanted as they wouldnt stop talking and were pretty much my shadow. Make sure you have a chat and then politely ask if you can go and do your viewing on your own. Do you plan to measure things and check certain things out? Make a list of what you want to complete so that you arent sidetracked by the owners.

Bigphil1474

If you are post offer but pre survey, then there's still lots that can go wrong. They could just be genuine people who want the sale to go smoothly, or they might be expecting a terrible survey report and want to head things off before it gets to that. Nobody really knows. Just bear in mind that they are the ones trying to sell you something, and once you've completed the house is yours, warts and all.

I'm not sure you can insist on them leaving you to wander round on your own (it's still their house), but our vendor could talk the back legs off a donkey, so we had to keep moving her on in order to get round the house on our second viewing. As it was, it still took over 2 hours. Definitely worth doing, but keep your mind and eyes open. 

jimbog

Useful for looking at their body language when you ask 'what are the neighbours like?'

ThisIsWeird

jimbog said:

Useful for looking at their body language when you ask 'what are the neighbours like?'

Ours was dropped eyes, turning away, and a, "Uh, we don't really have much to do with them...".

I've called the cops on them twice