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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to request to view a house without the owner's presence?

135 replies

nightowlmostly · 22/10/2011 18:16

We want to see a house for a second viewing, and would prefer it if the owner wasn't there this time, as they were there last time and it's just not as easy to have a proper critical look around when you are also trying to be polite about someone's home. I'd like to see it with just the estate agent before committing, as it is a lot of money obviously!

My DH asked the estate agent on the phone and he said she seemed a little surprised, as if it was on odd request, is it? I would have thought it was quite common for people to want to see houses without them there, everyone in RL that I've mentioned house hunting to says it is much easier to look properly without the vendor present.

Just wondered if IABU!

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 22/10/2011 19:58

YANBU

On second viewings I like to be able to ask the EA lots of questions without having to be polite to the vendor.

MrsCampbellBlack · 22/10/2011 19:58

And to be honest in this market the vendor would be mad to refuse.

BleedyGhoulzombiez · 22/10/2011 20:00

YANBU. I never liked the idea of people looking around our place without us when we where selling it, but you can't afford to be precious about that sort of stuff when you want to sell your house, and all the more so in the present market. If it means the difference between getting a good offer and staying on the market for longer, I know what I'd do.

spiderpig8 · 22/10/2011 20:02

Did you make a note of where they keep the silver? YABU it's a bonkers request, what do you think the owners are going to make of it?

AnnoyingOrange · 22/10/2011 20:10

Realistically though, are you not going to buy a house because you didn't see inside a cupboard? Hmm

BehindLockNumberNine · 22/10/2011 20:15

When we sold our old house 18 months ago the estate agents categorically told us not to be there when they showed prospective buyers round. (not just us, we are not fugly and would scare buyers off, they do this with all the houses they market)

It worked, we have 8 offers within 5 days and sold for £16,000 over the asking price.

(Mind you, house was gorgeous though, and I miss it...)

MrsCampbellBlack · 22/10/2011 20:16

For us it wasn't about seeing inside cupboards it was about having frank discussions with the EA about making radical changes to a house that the vednor had lived in for 30 odd years. Seemed more tactful to do that without the vendor being there.

And when I've sold - I always absent myself.

BehindLockNumberNine · 22/10/2011 20:16

We had, not have

CustardCake · 22/10/2011 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsCampbellBlack · 22/10/2011 20:46

My in-laws recently sold and the buyers requested they weren't there at second viewing because ahem my in-laws are quite chatty Wink They weren't at all offended.

And we spent nearly an hour at the house we recently bought on second viewing and discussed a lot with the EA including how much under the asking price the vendor was likely to go - would have been impossible if vendor there.

Also often properties are being sold because of bereavement/divorce so I was always very aware that the vendor may be selling with very mixed feelings.

Toobluntforboss · 22/10/2011 21:04

I totally understand where you are coming from - we recently viewed a house and the owners showed us around. I would love to look around again as I feel I judged it a bit unfairly and it could be perfect for us, however feel embarrassed about going back as I don't want the awkwardness with the vendors. Needless to say there definitely won't be a sale with us as the vendors insist on doing all their own viewings.

AmberLeaf · 22/10/2011 21:04

I must spend too much time on Relationships board, I keep reading EA as 'Emotional Abuser'

Sorry Estate Agents!

TheOriginalFAB · 22/10/2011 21:08

We asked the vendors loads of questions. When we moved in we realised they had lied on all but one of them.

CuntryManner · 22/10/2011 21:14

We did some viewing about 8 months ago and experienced the same thing. Some of the estate agents just gave us the address too MEET the owners...they didn't even accompany us! I think it's truly bizarre, and I wouldn't view a property with the owners being present ever again. One even talked herself out of a sale by letting us know the boiler system (worth 15k) was broken and needed fully replacing with all the radiators...

SusiaX · 22/10/2011 21:31

We've been to see the house we're buying three times now and each time the owner has followed us round like a lost puppy. We have two small DC with us so quite what he thinks we're going to do I don't know but it makes it really hard to have a proper look with him hovering.

We had loads of viewings and I did the majority of them, unless we were busy and then the estate agent did it but if they were second viewings I always let them have a wander by themselves but made sure they knew where I was if they had any questions.

I personally prefer being shown round by the estate agent but I do think there can be benefits to having the owner there ? we've viewed houses and had questions that the estate agent couldn't answer, plus, when selling, you can build up a bit of rapport with people to try and give them a good feeling about the property.

FessaEst · 22/10/2011 21:42

When we viewed properties, it was a mix of being shown around by the EA alone, the vendor alone or (the best option imho) by the EA with the vendor in the garden/busy about the property, so then they are available to answer questions, but not inhibiting iyswim.

When we sold our house, we went with a cheaper marketing company who didn't do viewings, so we showed people round, but I always made sure to give them time to themselves. When our rented property was being sold while we still lived there, I insisted on the EA being present as I didn't see why I should have to rearrange my days to suit viewings.

When we bought our current house, we were shown around by the vendor, but she was great, answered questions, "sold" the property's good points, and left us to have a good second look without interference. It worked as we bought it!

FessaEst · 22/10/2011 21:44

So, no I don't think you are being unreasonable per se.

takeonboard · 22/10/2011 21:51

YANBU
I have never viewed a house with the vendor there, it would feel very restrictive.

I have never been in when the agent has shown anyone around my property either, for exactly the same reason.

haylojaylo · 22/10/2011 21:53

I worked in conveyancing for 10 years before I had baby M. I would say the less contact you have with vendors the better, handle everything through the estate agent and solicitors (that is what they get paid for!), don't deal with vendors direct, including viewings wherever possible.

bibbitybobbitybloodyaxe · 22/10/2011 21:58

I can't imagine what it is you want to look at that the vendor would object to?

Surely no-one would buy a house based on what the inside of a kitchen cabinet looks like?

Popbiscuit · 22/10/2011 21:59

In Canada it's the opposite. All houses for sale have lockboxes so the estate agent can get in; it would be VERY odd if the vendor were to insist on being home for a viewing.

tyler80 · 22/10/2011 22:00

I think EA v Owner conducted viewings must depend on the area.

We were always just given the address, only had EAs show us round when the owners were dead

Carikube · 22/10/2011 22:02

We are currently selling our house; the EA told us from the word go that we should be out for every first viewing and only in for the second viewing if the potential buyers wanted us there to ask questions about the house/area. So even though we have a 17mo and 2.6yo we have been dragging them out round lunch time/nap time etc in order to try and sell the place (which seems to have worked - fingers crossed - as we now have a buyer).

In the meantime we have been viewing properties and by far the easiest viewings have been the ones with an EA and not the owners - it is far too difficult to look at these things logically (trying to view the place with our own furniture in mind etc) when you have someone who is emotionally invested in the place.

So YANBU in my opinion...

MrsCampbellBlack · 22/10/2011 22:05

The other thing I found was that often I'd walk into a house for a first viewing and if it was just the EA - I'd be able to say within 2 mins - no way. But if the vendor was showing you round - would have to make polite conversation and look interested for a while which was pointless and a waste of time.

iscream · 22/10/2011 22:17

I don't think it is strange. There was an owner in one home we looked at, and it felt awkward. I don't think they will refuse, if you are back with this request, they know you are quite interested. Happy hunting.