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

[MRex]

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?

I wouldn’t lie and organise a viewing simply because you don’t know what it involves for them (time off work, hassle of tidying, taking kids/dogs out or possibly elderly parents etc).

I’m unbothered about lying to an estate agent (that’s much like the ocean complaining it’s raining) but the good ones do quite a good job of weeding out tyre kickers.

Yes, I’d let people in to look at an extension or whatever, assuming you don’t turn up at 11pm looking like Freddy Krueger or Hamburglar!

Personally I’d just knock, in daylight, at the weekend. I’d rather someone just turned up and asked than left a note, but if I got a note asking I’d ring you and arrange a time.

people are suggesting that it's reasonable to knock on the door of a complete stranger to ask if you can have a nosy at how they've done their extension

It's not much different to asking someone who did their new front door/driveway/garden. It's a compliment.

I'd pop a note through. I've extended my house and if anyone popped a note through so I had some advance warning I would let them look (would have 6'3" Dh here as muscle )

Don't just rock up. I would tell them that you struggle to visualise. I do agree it is difficult to do.

We had a neighbour knock and asked to look at our loft conversion. We were happy to show them and have a chat about it

Last time I bought (4 years ago) I had to first register my details with the estate agent and give details of the property I was selling, any mortgage agreements in principle etc. I suppose they don't check you're telling the truth but seems a bit unfair to lie and pretend all along you're thinking of buying it? And as others have said, potentially lots of work for the vendors to tidy, take pets elsewhere, sort out kids etc.

I like seeing houses on my street online when they're up for sale/rent to see how they've done them up inside but wouldn't dream of pretending to view one.

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

That's hilarious!

Oh ffs just go and see it.

Hardly the crime of the century!

Right, I've spoken to the estate agent, who laughed and agreed it's cheeky but she will ask if the owners would mind if she tacks it on to another viewing to provide least inconvenience. Wish me luck in her getting us an appointment!

Don't go through the EA. Just knock.

Having just been through the complete rigmarole of selling our old home and having countless fruitless viewings I would be seriously fucked off if I got wind of the real reason - plus I would want to have a serious word with the EA.

JUST KNOCK YOU CF.

I would drop a letter through the letter box.
She would probably be flattered and may have some tips for you.
If you are honest; you may be able to go round more than once.
I can’t believe people view houses as a hobby. That’s shit.

When we were having some work done on our house someone else on the road (I didn't know them) knocked on the door and very politely asked if he and his wife could possibly look at what we were having done as they were looking to do some work on theirs as well. I was happy to help, didn't mind at all.

It's pretty cheeky to do that. I remember selling my house and getting calls to book viewings...getting excited about a potential sale, rushing home from work and cleaning like a dervish (my usual standards aren't that high) so I'd be pretty annoyed for someone to turn up basically to be nosy.

I have to admit that I would do it if it is possible, but where we live most estate agents won't allow you to view a property unless your home is on the market too. You'd have to make something up like your a cash buyer with no property to sell or your buying a property to rent out

nice one OP, I hope you get your viewing soon. So much nicer not to waste people's time.

Good plan MRex, hope that works!

I would be fine with tacking it on to another viewing. It’s the hassle of prepping the house and clearing out that is the problem. No big deal if an extra person sees it and there is always the chance you will fall in live and decide you want to buy it instead of dealing with the hassle of remodeling yourself.

My first thought was that I'd do this in a heartbeat, but then I'm in Ireland and I'm thinking of open viewings. Dozens of people attend these at a time, no way are they all serious potential buyers.

I probably wouldn't arrange an individual viewing, that's a bit CF. Tagging along with someone else could work though.

I’ve done this. Only at an open viewing though. I wouldn’t request a viewing because it’s a lot of work to get a house ready.

Agree with pp. First viewing in Ireland is nearly all neighbors!!

The house owner could use your interest when showing her house:
"We have converted this,it's not just us who think it's a great idea,
I have had a request from neighbours to view to see how it's done!"
The viewer will be buying a house where the imaginative improvement is already done,unlike the rest of the street ?
Ask via the Estate Agents if you may view and point out that your interest is a selling point for the house.It truly is.
In other words sell your wish to view to the agent as not just your need to see what's possible but a positive for the house they are selling.So good that others want to learn from it.
Good luck.
.

The thing is, EAs send people to view all the time when they know full well it won’t result in an offer. Often it’s to stop the seller complaining that they haven’t had any viewings. When we were buying they suggested we see all sorts of stuff that I’d already discounted. They knew we had no intention of buying them but wanted us to go along anyway.

EAs send people to view all the time when they know full well it won’t result in an offer

...and if they do this the vendor gets completely fucked off and finds another EA. I gave my EA strict instructions after my encounters with CF's who had no respect for my family's weekend time together, that unless potential buyers had their house on the market they weren't setting foot over my door.

I'm looking to downsize at some point but in no rush. I view the odd house because if I saw the right one I'd put in an offer. Do people really assume if your own house isn't actively on the market you're a total time waster?

Our house is on the market atm, I've termed nosey people who come round with no actual intention of buying "Skirting board kickers". They would be one of my choices for room 101!

January is meant to be really busy for people viewing houses, has been for us! So hopefully you can tack on to someone else's viewing fairly soon. Maybe they will a secret CF skirting board kicker who has no intention of buying too, at least you're being honest .

@RCohle

"Do people really assume if your own house isn't actively on the market you're a total time waster?"

Personally I do tbh.

Do people really assume if your own house isn't actively on the market you're a total time waster?

well, yes. I wouldn't accept any viewing because you are not in a position to make an offer. It could take you months to put yours on the market and get an offer yourself, and the sellers of my next property wouldn't wait that long.
If you can't buy it, why would I bother making it ready for a viewing for you. Even having it on the market is not enough, I only allowed viewings from people in position to proceed.