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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to make an offer on a house without even viewing it??

34 replies

DataColour · 07/05/2015 10:22

Perfect house has come on the market this morning. I know the street. Dimensions, floor plan and pictures look great. Perfect house is also going to be perfect for a lot of other people as it's a desirable area and very reasonably priced. EA says they haven't got the keys yet to show me during the day but will ask the vendor for a viewing this evening. Waiting to hear back from EA if this is possible.

AIBU to consider phoning back EA to offer the asking price (it's a OIRO) and see what they say?
It's a very competitive market round here and a similar house, not even as nice and a bit more expensive went within the day.
Really don't want to miss out!

OP posts:
flora717 · 07/05/2015 10:25

I've done it. Subject to surveys anyway.

foolssilver · 07/05/2015 10:31

I would, especially if you know the area and type of house.

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 07/05/2015 10:31

Follow your instincts. Always.

Good luck!

Brew
Original poster
DataColour · 07/05/2015 10:33

Shall I make an offer subject to a viewing or how do I word it?

OP posts:
Original poster
DataColour · 07/05/2015 10:34

Because I would want to view it before comming to a survery anyway...although very unlikely I would much wrong with the house after a viewing.....

OP posts:
Original poster
DataColour · 07/05/2015 10:35

committing to a survey I mean!

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 07/05/2015 10:37

My Mum would tell you the happiest home we lived in as a family she didn't see till the day we moved in. I have wonderful memories of that house, similar situation they knew site layout etc. it was an old Rectory my Dad heard a rumour that the diocese was going to sell it phoned them and made an offer it never went on the market.

grumpysquash · 07/05/2015 10:37

Just because you get an offer in first, it doesn't mean it will be accepted (the agent might advise the seller to wait for a few viewings and see if it goes to bids).
I would suggest this - arrange a viewing at a time when you're not in a rush. Look round slowly. Be very positive about how great the house is and how perfect it would be for your family. Arrange a second viewing soon after to bring DP for a 2nd opinion. Phone the agent the day after to express an interest.

The agent will want a reliable buyer and you will be in a better position if they 'know' you and are sure of your level of interest. If other people make offers, you will need them to remember to tell you...
BTW have you got something to sell or can you just go ahead? If you are a cash buyer they will probably bite your hand off. Good luck!

neolara · 07/05/2015 10:39

If I was selling a house and someone put in an offer in the manner you are suggesting, I definitely wouldn't accept. I would see it as a sign my house that my house was perhaps undervalued and would think I could get much more than the asking price on the open market.

Original poster
DataColour · 07/05/2015 10:41

Thanks for the replies!

Not a cash buyer unfortunately but we have nothing to sell and have a mortgage in promise.

EA says they can show me around tomorrow afternoon. Maybe I should wait till then?

OP posts:
Original poster
DataColour · 07/05/2015 10:43

I guess you are right neolara. If I was selling, I would be dubious about an offer without a viewing, thats' why I'm hesitant. Difficult though as I'm trying not to be too excited about it as it really would suit us perfectly.

OP posts:
cosmickitten · 07/05/2015 10:46

I'd wait for tomorrow but make sure that the agents tells the vendor that your chain free and ready to go. You're in a very strong buying position. Use it, don't seem too keen, hint at other viewings

Geonoacake · 07/05/2015 10:46

I would wait til you've viewed. As others have said, an offer before viewing will appear to the vendors that they are selling too cheap and may make them revise the asking price.

Marynary · 07/05/2015 10:46

I wouldn't make an offer before viewing.
Firstly it make look nicer in the photos than it is so you may want to drop your price after viewing potentially annoying the vendors (a daft thing to do if it is a seller's market in your area).
Secondly it looks desperate and may make the vendors feel they can get a better price if they wait.
Thirdly, what is the point? They are not going to take it off the market, or state that it is sold subject to contract when you haven't even seen it (unless they are stupid) so you won't stop others from seeing it.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 07/05/2015 10:49

I'd have a look first, most look great on the pictures as that's the idea. We saw one that was perfect, a road we knew and liked and upon viewing it was obvious the entire top floor was wonky and lots of cracks - we didn't need a survey for that one!
Of course you can make an offer and withdraw it later but then the agents will think you're not serious if you want to look at more properties with them later.
If you tell the agent you have no chain, mortgage in principle, solicitor appointed and ready to act they will get you a viewing very quickly indeed!

sparechange · 07/05/2015 10:49

I don't think they'll take the offer very seriously, especially if you want to go and view it the next day. Therefore they aren't going to take it off the market or stop other viewings, so you aren't putting yourself in any stronger a position than if you wait til tomorrow to view and put an offer in.
I'd also be wary of looking too keen - if the agent and vendor think you want it so badly that you'll offer without seeing it, you are setting yourself up for them dicking you around..!

whatsthatcomingoverthehill · 07/05/2015 10:56

If you haven't got anything to sell then you are in effect a cash buyer. Particularly if you've already had a mortgage approved in principle. So you are in a strong position.

Original poster
DataColour · 07/05/2015 11:11

OK....shall hold on for tomorrow. I won't be able to sleep tonight!

I have offered on another property too after a first viewing (different agent) but not accepted yet as they have lots of viewings lined up so they want to test the waters I guess....fair enough. I much much prefer this house though. I doubt it will go before I view it tomorrow afternoon as they'll probably want to get the viewings in and see what people want to offer....I hope so anyway!

OP posts:
abigamarone · 07/05/2015 11:16

I wouldn't make an offer without viewing unless I knew exactly where the house was - photos aren't going to show the refusal site across the road or the bus-stop outside the front door. And I too have viewed a house where the upstairs floors were wonky and attempted to be passed off as charmingly quirky by the estate agents. Not viewed a house in a long time but can remember the disappointment of several that looked perfect on paper.

DowntownFunk · 07/05/2015 11:22

We get the keys to a house we offered on before seeing today.

I've seen it since offering and it is a building site/dump, with leaks Grin

It was bought as a project though, so it's all good.

grumpysquash · 07/05/2015 11:57

@DataColour

You will tell us how the viewing goes, won't you????

Bearbehind · 07/05/2015 12:06

The vendor isn't going to accept your offer and ignore all others if it only went on the market today as they'll be keen to see how many other offers they get.

The good news with that is that it applies to everyone else who is interested.

You are in a good position if you don't have to sell so they might want to go with you above a higher offer in the end anyway- there's no point in accepting a higher offer from someone who can't actually proceed.

View the house- make your best and final offer and ensure your chain free, ready to proceed status is strongly emphasised.

londonrach · 07/05/2015 12:08

My dad offered on his first house and a good friend of mine did too before seeing it. Reason was both houses would have sold and both knew the area and been in similar house. Better if viewed but if market is going quick....

Donatellalymanmoss · 07/05/2015 12:09

No it's a huge amount of money to spend based on Internet photos.

AndHarry · 07/05/2015 12:10

I would offer anyway.

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