Viewing houses when ours isn’t sold.

[LindsayDentonsWineBottle]

Our house has been on the market a week. We’ve had a couple of viewings but no offers. There’s some lovely houses I’ve seen on rightmove but am not sure whether we should view them as we are not proceedable at the moment?

Would the vendors entertain viewings from someone that hadn’t sold their house yet?

I asked my estate agent not to show anyone who wasn’t proceedable around the house l sold recently, ie only people under offer, exchanged or cash buyers. I don’t see how you can accept an offer from someone who hasn’t “sold” their place. Preparing your house for viewing is such a performance in terms of tidying up and making it presentable, l just don’t see the point of going through that for buyers who are not ready.

I would get a buyer for your property then look.

It's been a long time since I was doing this but my instinct says it's ok if you are on the market, not ok if you aren't. Intent is the key. You aren't one of those weirdos who goes on viewings for a hobby. Yes, they do exist.

We looked at plenty of houses both before our place went on the market, and once it was on the market and we didn't yet have a buyer.

If someone is aiming to sell their house quickly (say if a previous sale has fallen through but they still have a house they want to buy) they may restrict viewings to proceedable buyers only then - but I'd think that most vendors would accept a viewing (but not an offer) from someone who had their house up for sale.

Good luck with the sale and search, OP!