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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to view a house I've no intention of buying?

106 replies

MRex · 30/01/2019 13:47

It's a similar style to our house, but they've extended it to the back and above the garage as well as set up a utility room in the garage. We want to do some of those extensions (above the garage I'm just curious how it looks as I'm not sure we could do it, the rest we plan to do one day). But it's someone's home so that's rude, plus wasting the estate agent's time. I've thought about how I'd feel if it were my house and don't think I'd care, I assumed some viewings at my old house were non-serious buyers anyway.

I will abide by the majority decision. What do you think, is it being too much of a CF to go and view?

OP posts:
UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 30/01/2019 13:48

It's a bit CFey but I'd do it.

PopCakes · 30/01/2019 13:48

Well just be honest. Tell them you have no intention of buying but would love to see the extension work. If you're not prepared to be honest that I imagine it's because you know YABU.

FabulouslyFab · 30/01/2019 13:48

Why don’t you knock on the door and ask them, explain about your plans?

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 30/01/2019 13:49

I'd just knovk and ask.

Be honest.

Justmuddlingalong · 30/01/2019 13:49

Can you not just view it online?

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 30/01/2019 13:49

In Ireland it’s a national pastime but we tend to have open viewings. Our neighbours house was for sale a few weeks ago and I’d say half the people viewing it were other neighbours

Peachypips · 30/01/2019 13:51

Don't arrange a viewing, just go and ask if you can have a look.

We are selling and we get so excited about every viewing, and it takes an hour to tidy. We also have to get the kids out. Please don't do it!

CallMeVito · 30/01/2019 13:52

I would tell the vendors the truth and ask to see the extensions.

Most people spend so much time preparing for a viewing, it's a bit shit to waste that time - especially if they have kids!

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/01/2019 13:55

Yes YABU. Takes time to prepare for a viewing and gets people’s hopes up. It’s not fair. Just be honest as say you want a look for the reasons why. They will probably be flattered.

I’m currently trying to sell my house and would be peeved at someone booking a viewing with no intention of buying.

Original poster
MRex · 30/01/2019 13:57

Would you let someone in who just rocked up on your doorstep and show them round your house? That seems unusual, they could be looking to rob the place, at least the estate agent vets you to a degree but checking the address. I guess I could try ringing the bell and asking.

I do accept it's all very CFery.

OP posts:
mytieisascarf · 30/01/2019 13:59

It's really really annoying and disrespectful of people's of time to view a house that you don't want to buy. I did my own viewings while I was 8.5 months pregnant with a 3 year old, and had to make sure that the house was clean and pristine before every visit. I had one woman who could only come at 11.30 on a Saturday morning. She came with a small posse and when I asked her why she was moving she said she wasn't. she just always wanted to see what the houses on our street were like inside.

So don't. If you want to see their extension, just knock on the door and tell them. I told my builder that if anyone wanted to see his work they could come round and see our extension. Wouldn't bother me.

Tinty · 30/01/2019 13:59

Sell your house, buy their already done house. Grin

CallMeVito · 30/01/2019 14:01

Would you let someone in who just rocked up on your doorstep and show them round your house?

no, but if you put a letter in their letterbox with your phone number and address on it, whilst my house is on the market, I might react differently.
At worst I could invite you around on the back of an existing viewing, so no fuss.

At worst, I would keep your letter and give you a call once I have accepted an offer and am packing.

gokartdillydilly · 30/01/2019 14:01

When you're selling your house, every time someone comes to view it you think 'these could be the ones' and you tidy up, get your hopes up, start thinking about your own move, and then you're let down. It's really inconsiderate OP. Waste of everyone's time and energy. It's horrible. We've got an unusual house that is a different layout to that of our neighbour's and when she was selling, we told her to let the buyers know that we would be happy to show them ours to see what can be done. I'm sure if you pop round to the house-owners to ask if you can have a look they won't mind showing your round Smile

BendingSpoons · 30/01/2019 14:04

You would probably have to lie to the estate agent about if your property was on the market etc. Some won't even take you for viewings unless your place is under offer. Would be nice for you to see it though!

bilbodog · 30/01/2019 14:05

I would go and ask - explain what youve said here and give them your name and address, as you would the estate agent. At least that way they dont have to rush and tidy up before you look round.

Original poster
MRex · 30/01/2019 14:06

Hmmm, yes I could go up and drop in a letter. Worst case they can ignore me. I was worried more about them getting their hopes up, but if they have to clean up too then that's even worse, I can't do that. Then at least if they will let us in I don't need to feel bad about it.

Interesting that nobody is worried about the estate agent's time (also last on my list).

OP posts:
SunnySomer · 30/01/2019 14:07

Yes, I agree with almost everyone else: someone came at the crack of dawn on a Saturday to view our house - had to get everything ready/family out etc. Then about half way through the tour they revealed it was their Saturday ritual - viewing houses. Such a waste of time effort and emotional energy

Santaclarita · 30/01/2019 14:07

Can you not just look up the extension plans online from your local council? They should all be on there, floor plans, etc. Takes a while sometimes to find though.

bevmaccalovesdave · 30/01/2019 14:10

A lady knocked on my house a few years ago , she lived in a house that overlooked my garden and could see that I had extended (our houses were exactly the same lay out before ) .

She explained she was thinking of doing the same and would I mind if she had a peek .

I invited her in and took her on a tour , my dds were babies then so I probably told her to ignore the mess Grin

Didn't think anything of it either way , she was very complimentary and I enjoyed showing it off .

I would have been very annoyed if she had booked a viewing when I was selling to do the same thing . I was selling for shit reasons and was devastated to be leaving so I wasn't enjoying the faff of trying to keep the house clean as it was .

Knock on and ask , she can only say no

Redglitter · 30/01/2019 14:10

Would you let someone in who just rocked up on your doorstep and show them round your house

My brother did. In his last house they did a garage conversion. A couple came to the door one evening and said they lived a few streets away and were considering a conversion rather than moving and asked would it be possible to see theirs. He was slightly taken aback initially but was happy to show them it

pallisers · 30/01/2019 14:11

If it was an Open House I would but I wouldn't arrange a viewing. I'd drop a note in the door and ask them instead.

Where I am the latest thing is "neighbours viewings". So the evening before the Open House, the estate agent invites the neighbours in for a glass of wine and to see the house. I think it is a combination of wanting to get the neighbours who often show up to an open house out of the way so they can correctly guage actual interest and an attempt to get more houses on the market - it is very tight around here. I haven't gone to one yet but have been invited to 3.

ChrisjenAvasarala · 30/01/2019 14:12

I'm doing a loft conversion and double extension so I've been viewing hundreds of houses to check out styles and rooms and get inspiration. I have no shame!

Original poster
MRex · 30/01/2019 14:12

@Santaclarita - I can, which is how I know their kitchen would be exactly the length I think we should extend to and not the longer length DH is suggesting... I'm not great at visualising so I'd love to see in person how much space that gives.

OP posts:
Megan2018 · 30/01/2019 14:13

I'd do it!

They will never know you weren't serious - it is CF for sure, but I don't think it is terrible.

We did it a few times, but they were Open House viewing things so you could just rock up. it didn't make any difference to the vendor as they had several people viewing all at the same time. I felt less guilty!

But yes, I'd definitely do it.