Advice on house buying please!

[TheGriffle]

We are putting our house up for sale (it will be up next week) we thought that this meant we could now start looking at properties to view. Apparently this is not the case?

Is it normal to not be allowed to view until your house has actually sold?

We were first time buyers before so this is the first time we are selling and we obviously have no idea!

No, but these are abnormal times. We viewed properties whilst ours was on the market, but it was pre-Covid so open houses etc were common. They may be restricting viewings due to Covid, in which case it makes sense to restrict to those who are ready to proceed immediately.
I hope you find a buyer soon!

It doesn't surprise me in the current circumstances. When we were last house-hunting, it was 2010 and the housing market wasn't very healthy. Our house was on the market for nearly a year before we had a buyer. We did view numerous properties while our house was on the market and even put in a couple of offers but no vendor would take their property off the market when there was no certainty of when we would be able to proceed, so we lost out on a couple of lovely potential forever homes. Given the risks inherent in having viewings in-person at the moment, and the uncertainty in what will happen, I would think it is entirely reasonable for estate agents to only agree to meet in person with proceedable potential clients. So when you have a firm offer on your own property, then is the time to start actual viewings. Keep your eyes on rightmove and keep an up-to-date folder of 5-6 shortlist places you want to view, so that you can make contact and arrange a viewing as soon as you receive your own offer, whenever that might be. But don't fall in love with any of them - several nice ones will be snapped up by others before you are ready to go.

I’m an estate agent in Scotland (assuming you are in England in which case it may be different) and viewings are severely restricted at the moment. Appointments are to last no more than 15 minutes, only we can show the house (so if the sellers live there they need to go out!), full PPE is required by us and the viewers, we need to arrive early to clean the surfaces, handles etc and do it again before we leave. No more back to back appointments and, I’m pretty sure (not back at work myself for another few weeks yet) we shouldn’t be showing more than 2 houses a day. Normally we wouldn’t restrict anyone from viewing but given the above it may be that we have to say only those in a position to progress a sale can have an appointment. For example, people who have already sold, cash buyers etc. These regulations have been passed down by professional bodies so I would expect most if not agencies all will be following them.

Thank you. I am in England yes. We may just have to wait then! A couple of the ones we’ve enquired about are empty so I thought it wouldn’t matter so much to view those with masks etc but obviously so.

I’m just worried we will accept an offer on ours then we struggle to find a house ourselves. There were only 5 at the minute that were suitable. Two have accepted offers in the last 2 days, two won’t let us view until ours has sold and the 5th who has just phoned sounds like they are happy to arrange a viewing so we shall see!

It depends on the agent (in England) some are allowing viewing as long as yours is - or is about to be - on the market, others insist you must have an offer on yours first.
Whichever way round you do it, there is the potential for delays either you find something you like but struggle to sell or you sell quickly but then struggle to find something you like.
Good Luck.

If you aren’t is a position where you absolutely have to get your house on the market you could wait a while but at the same time theres no way of knowing how long the restrictions will be in place, or when a second wave will hit us, so I’d be inclined just to get the house on. I was getting my own house ready to market before lockdown and will be bringing it on myself as soon as the work is finished. It’s a tough call to make though.

I’m just worried we will accept an offer on ours then we struggle to find a house ourselves

I think most buyers will appreciate that things may be a bit slower at the moment.

Worst case scenario, if you don't find somewhere after a few months your buyer may pull out, in which case you could go back on the market or stay in your current home for now.

Thanks everyone. This is all new to us, we thought as soon as our house was going up that was it we could let ourselves look! We need to move so delaying isn’t an option. We want to get out ASAP.

We have found it really depends on the agent. Some have been very relaxed, and others, like you have said, require you to either be a cash buyer or to have sold your own property.

Ours only went on the market this week, so I feel your frustrations! Good luck with your sale and purchase.

Hi OP we were in the same position a couple of weeks ago, we put our first house on the market but found most estate agents would only allow us to view once we had sold ours due to the current situation. We managed to see one between going on the market and accepting an offer on ours. This was all new to us also as we've never sold before.

It was also quite interesting the difference in how the agents dealt with the Covid safety measures when we viewed properties. One company we nearly considered to market ours was terrible when we viewed a property, we were glad they hadn't shown anyone around our home with no gloves, gel, masks or time limits.

If you are moving locally theres nothing to stop you viewing houses from the road - That way you get to see if theres anything you dont like about particular roads or areas And you can see how well the front of the house is maintained.

I never view other properties until I've got a secure offer on mine and as a seller in normal times I don't appreciate viewers who aren't in a position to proceed as its a waste of cleaning and tidying time if you get 3 or 4 viewers a week.
With the stamp duty holiday there should be plenty of houses coming on the market in the next few months.

As well as Google Street View and driving / walking round the house and the area, many have videos as well.

It's not the same, I know, but it might help you rule a few in/out.

@fedupandlookingforchange I will probably understand in a few weeks time if we get viewings for our house. Two young kids and I’m forever tidying anyway let alone to get it to viewing standards regularly!