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Original poster

Is this normal procedure viewing houses?

52 replies

owl89 · 08/08/2019 15:08

After recently having our second child, my partner and I have decided we need to upgrade to a bigger house.
We have taken the steps to have our house valued to prepare to put on the market and we've started looking at houses.
Found a perfect house that seems to good to be true so I've booked a viewing. The estate agents have said we need to go to their office first and then we can view. I've just received an email about my meeting with a mortgage consultant at the estate agents and a list of documents to bring.

Is this normal procedure? I don't want to have to do this just to view a house. I want to view the house first and then decide whether I want to take the next steps.

OP posts:

Original poster

owl89 · 08/08/2019 15:08

I don't remember having to do this when we bought our first house, it was simply view a house then put an offer in.

OP posts:

NChangeForNoReason · 08/08/2019 15:12

We just had to provide an agreement in principle before we could put an offer in. No meetings required at the EA

Original poster

owl89 · 08/08/2019 15:13

I'm not even at the offer stage yet though, I just want to view. Seems a bit strange to have to meet with a mortgage consultant

OP posts:

sparkle789 · 08/08/2019 15:14

We had to provide our mortgage in principal but it didn’t have to be done through the estate agents.

EskewedBeef · 08/08/2019 15:15

Not, they're hoping you won't question it and get sucked in to using their mortgage advice service. Ring them back and tell them you're not interested in that, you're making your own arrangements for the mortgage.

I think there is more checking of viewers that their used to be ie asking about your ability to make an offer, your mortgage arrangements etc. Years ago people used to view houses as a hobby, no questions asked.

Teachermaths · 08/08/2019 15:15

You'll probably need a mortgage in principle otherwise how do they know you are serious? Also you need to know what you can afford.

Most EAs expect you to be in a position to proceed before viewing. Ie you've got your house on the market and have a mortgage in principle.

Ikeameatballs · 08/08/2019 15:15

They want you to meet with their mortgage consultant for two reasons:

Firstly to ensure that you can afford the property you are interested in and secondly to try to get you to get their mortgage consultant to broker your mortgage so that they get commission on that.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 08/08/2019 15:16

How rude. Are they assuming you need a mortgage? What if you are a cash buyer

Teachermaths · 08/08/2019 15:16

YY sack off their broker, they'll be on commission and won't do the best deal. Go independent.

Singlenotsingle · 08/08/2019 15:18

They want to be sure they'll get your business, including mortgage services. They'll probably have a tame solicitor to offer you as well. You can just say you're making your own arrangements, thankyou.

RicStar · 08/08/2019 15:18

Estate agents can check you are a serious buyer - if your house was under offer or you have a mortgage in principal this should be enough but they always try and convince you to talk to their broker.

FadedRed · 08/08/2019 15:19

It’s becoming more common for some vendors only allowing viewings by people who are in a position to sell, so Estate Agents are required to check that you have the wherewithal to buy e.g. your house is on the market, or you are cash buyers. Stops lots of people just coming for a nosy with no real intention to buy.
Why don’t you ask the EA why they want you to do this, then decide whether you want to comply.

user1469814546 · 08/08/2019 15:19

Estate agents are obliged to carry out anti-money laundering checks on their clients these days in the same way that banks are

hub.rightmove.co.uk/anti-money-laundering-checklist/

legolimb · 08/08/2019 15:22

I moved house last summer. Bought and sold.

Didnt have to do anything like this to view properties. Which is just as well as they were all with different estate agencies.

Seems like they want to tie you on to their mortgage team.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 08/08/2019 15:23

My friend wanted to view a house, they said yes. Took her postcode, rang her back a day later and cancelled the appointment because they said she wasn’t in a position to sell. How they worked that out I don’t know, they didn’t ask her anything. Her parents had been looking to move nearer her and are very wealthy. Money wasn’t the issue here. It’s very odd.

rickandmorts · 08/08/2019 15:25

No this isn't standard procedure. My mum is selling her house and prospective buyers ring up, ask to view, book in and then go and view. She's had loads of timewasters though that clearly can't afford it. When I bought my house, I rung up, was asked my situation (first time buyer, no chain) and budget and then could view.

StressyDressyHeels · 08/08/2019 15:25

This isn’t an AML check, which is not necessary to view a property anyway. They just want to try and get you to use their financial advisor, as they’ll get commission for doing so. In the same way they get commission from their recommended conveyancer.

BazaarMum · 08/08/2019 15:27

They are just trying to get you to use their mortgage service. Call back and tell them you have made your own arrangements with regards to mortgages.

I’ve viewed plenty of houses in our (very expensive) area, and never been asked to provide any documents before offering. It’s massively intrusive.

Is it a new build by any chance? Sometimes the developer tries to make you use their legal services for the transaction (very unadvisable) and are in partnership with a particular agent with mortgage brokering.

Comefromaway · 08/08/2019 15:29

I've been to see 3 houses this week with two different estate agents. I just rang up and made appointments to view and we met them there. We havn't eve put our house on the market yet, dh just spotted what he thought was his dream house for sale whilst passing (it wasn't the rooms were too small) and it set us off on a train of thought.

No-one has asked about finances though dh did mention in passing we are mortgage free on our current house.

Original poster

owl89 · 08/08/2019 15:29

Thank you for all of your replies. I can understand that they need to check that people can afford it and aren't wasting their time. I might just email them back and say we are using our own mortgage advisor but that we can offer them a mortgage in principle and see what they say.

OP posts:

sunshinefinally · 08/08/2019 15:30

We got told when selling and buying a new house we could view anything till - ours had sold (had offer accepted) and we had a decision in principle! They said it wasn't fair to view houses when ours hadn't sold.

Original poster

owl89 · 08/08/2019 15:30

No it's not a new build

OP posts:

Original poster

owl89 · 08/08/2019 15:32

Also, another question because it genuinely baffles me how moving house works logistic wise. If we buy a house and sell ours, how the hell do we get our stuff out in one go? Do we get the keys to a new house and give ours up at the same time? Is there an overlap? It's giving me a headache just thinking about it. I hope that makes sense.

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 08/08/2019 15:35

I think that's stupid. When we bought our current house we weren't even planning on moving. I saw it was for sale and fell in love with it and went to see it, loved it even more and had ours on the market within a week and sold it the first day/second day.

If I hadn't been able to view that house I wouldn't have moved/put mine up for sale. I needed to see that I actually wanted that house before I made the commitment to sell my old one.

VivaLeBeaver · 08/08/2019 15:37

Do we get the keys to a new house and give ours up at the same time?

Yes, as the money goes through the keys are swapped normally via the estate agent. Midday is the standard time. So you spend the morning packing vans up. Run to the estate agent with your old keys at midday. Hang around for ages while waiting to confirm the money has gone through. Get given the new keys, drive there and unpack.

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