to decline a viewing because they haven't got their property on the marketJ

[stripeytiger]

Just wondering if I am being bit unreasonable?

Our house has been on the market for just over a month. Plenty of viewings, sadly no offers yet. Had a call from the agent today to say there is a lady who apparently knows the manager at the agent's really well, she has viewed our place on Rightmove and likes the look of it, would like to book a viewing, can't do daytime and wants us to show her round in the evening at 6.30 pm!!.....ok don't have a massive problem with that, however her house isn't on the market yet, she's thinking about it!! I told the agent that she could see what she needed to on Rightmove, could do a drive past but I wasn't prepared to do a viewing as she is clearly not in a position to proceed. I added that I would be more than happy to show her round once she has her place on the market.

My view is that our house is "for sale" not "open for browsing". Perhaps it's just me but I think she was being quite cheeky, especially trying to dictate the time of the viewing....I have two kids so keeping the place immaculate is stressful but obviously well worth it to secure a sale......but to do all that for someone who isn't ready to proceed?? My gut feeling was fuck right off.....

there was a house for sale near me a few years back, the couple who owned it had a reputation for being difficult. It was on the agent's website with no interior photos, and no guide price, just 'contact agent'. But it was a nice area, big garden etc. A friend was looking to move house (her house already on the market) so rang the agent to arrange a viewing. Agent said 'er, actually, the couple say they are very private people and aren't willing to say how much they want to sell for, and they don't want to let anyone view the interior of the house until after solicitors have been appointed and contracts have been drawn up. Do you want to put in an offer?'

Fellow mumsnetters, that house was on the market for many many years

I think YABU, but it's your home and obviously up to you.

We are looking to relocate and have just been looking but not put our house up for sale yet. We want to find somewhere first, then we will look at our options ~ sell our property, rent it out, buy new property for cash etc. You are being short-sighted when you don't know the full story, but like I said, it is your choice.

We have seen a property on Zoopla that we are really interested in. On trying to arrange a viewing we were told viewing is on Sunday only from 3-3.30pm. This doesn't suit us at all (work) but sellers will not budge from this - are going to try to make it this Sunday but already feel sellers are hard work!

I’ve just had the exact same thing done to me! Have a flat I want to convert to a holiday let, £80,000 waiting in the bank to put on a new house. Last night the seller pretended not to know anything about the viewing and turned us away! Call from the estate agent: he did it because he found out that we have a property not on the market, says he doesn’t want accommodate viewings from those who aren’t either first time buyers or cash buyers. He has now changed his mind now that the estate agent has got back to him to give the full story and can accommodate a viewing. My response: “tell the seller I am not Interested in buying from somebody so up their own arse!”

I hope you had the propert on the market for a looooooooonnnnggg time!

Well it's totally up to you so YANBU to say no but personally I wouldn't be so picky. She is genuinely interested - she might like it then put her house on the market immediately and sell quickly while your house could languish on the market for months. That said I would be annoyed with the browsers who have no intention (or even the finances) to buy the house but want to have a nosey around!

I was looking for a very specific type of house. We found the house then put our house on the market.

In the current climate I wouldn't turn any viewings down.

You will still get browsers. People might be/say they are first timers, or divorced and got a settlement and not really be serious.

We had a few people who were just seeing what their money could buy in different areas.

We also had people whose houses were on the market who didn't show up.

The whole viewings thing is a nightmare I agree. But personally I didn't turn down a viewing.

I don't think it's unreasonable at all. It takes a lot of effort to get ready for a viewing and show people around. If she could buy without selling her house then that would be different though. We've had some silly viewings like people who have not even decided which county to move to, let alone which town and people intending to put in ridiculously low offers (as much as 60,000 below asking price) and you really do wish that those who waste your time would f-off after a while!

Zombie thread.

OP what if they've had win on the lottery or a massive inheritance? We had two lottery winners when I was in a small independant EA in rural sticks. Also, I did notice my mums generation did seem to want to find somewhere before they put theirs on market as they usually had a 'naice' detached 4bed that they knew would be no prob to sell: easy to notice what's snapped up/what isn't in small areas.