AIBU to think they need to be more available (house buying)

[CowgirlBride]

So DH and I have just this week put an offer in on a house. We saw it Monday and put an offer in on Tuesday as we knew that it would get snapped up. Offer has been accepted, so we now want to go back and have a second viewing. House is on the market as the grandad of the family passed away and the granddaughter is living in the property to help to sell it and once it’s sold she’ll go back to her mum’s.

Tried to book viewing after work on Thursday, got told the granddaughter was not around. Spoke to DH and then rang on Friday asking for a booking on Saturday afternoon (that being today) - we gave a time that was convenient but tbh if they’d said they couldn’t do this time but could do another time we’d have worked around it. Estate rang back around midday today to say sorry they haven’t got back sooner - granddaughter had only just rung them back and she couldn’t do any time today. I asked if the estate agent could do it and apparently they don’t have a key and are reliant on granddaughter being around to let them in. We’ve now scheduled for after work Monday.

AIBU to think that this is a bit ridiculous? We’re first time buyers and first time that we’ve made an offer on something, so don’t know what is normal. The sellers wanted us because we have no chain but I feel like the granddaughter is making things tricky due to her limited availability. I know this won’t hold up the actually selling as the solicitors are all on it, but I’m just imagining every subsequent viewing being pushed back and back cos she’s not around (we’d quite like to go with our builder friend at some point to look at some of the work that needs doing) I know people have other things going on but surely Saturday is a normal day to expect people to want to view? Surely if you’re not going to provide the estate agent with a key you need to make yourself more available if you want the property to sell?? (Note: the original viewing we had on Monday, we’d actually asked for Saturday and had the whole afternoon free but couldn’t go cos again the granddaughter wasn’t around. So it’s two Saturdays on the trot!)

Very few, if any, have said a second viewing is appalling.

Most have said they would view twice before purchasing. Maybe once neat completotiom to measure up.

The OP IS unreasonable because she wanted the person living there to accommodate a second viewing straight after the offer as she only saw it for half an hour.

As a vendor, that would very much feel like the offer was just to stop it selling but the purchaser hadnt actually decided they wanted it yet. Then more visits planned

And then there is the issue around expected the person living there to be 'more available' as and when OP requires her to be. At short notice.

I've never been to see a house after my offer has been accepted. Ynbu to ask for the viewing but ybu to be so impatient about it.

Are you looking to view again as you have changed your mind on your offer? Other than that you just need a survey.

As a vendor, that would very much feel like the offer was just to stop it selling but the purchaser hadnt actually decided they wanted it yet

That is how it sounds from the OP’s posts: it was likely to get snapped up, so they made an offer in order to ‘reserve’ it, but given that they only saw it for 30 minutes they’d like to return within a couple of days to check whether they made the right decision.

If I was the vendor I’d suspect you weren’t serious and I’d be advising the EA to keep marketing it.

Did you put your offer in subject to survey or straight in aggressively to secure it?

Builders visits should really be done prior to an offer being put in unless the offer is subject to the findings.

YABU

Builders visits should really be done prior to an offer being put in unless the offer is subject to the findings

All offers are subject to survey, surely? You’re not going to stick with your original offer if the survey comes back with massive issues and £50k of unanticipated essential work.

I'm an estate agent, generally once an offer has been accepted our solicitors don't permit any further viewings until missives have concluded. After that the buyer can measure for carpets etc.

2 viewings before the offer and one nearly at completion is normal. You've offered without doing a second viewing which you can but it will make a seller nervous if you ask to see the house again immediately.

What subsequent viewings did you have in mind?

Apologies, Trebla, I meant to quote the part of your post which said “Did you put your offer in subject to survey or straight in aggressively to secure it?”

In the English system an offer can be withdrawn right up to the final exchange of paperwork so the vendor is unlikely to feel secure that OP is definitely going to buy their house just yet.
OP you need to give them time to let you see the house again but you also need to be really clear with yourself why you want this second viewing. As a first time buyer would be better paying for the best survey possible, with lots of photographs of potential issues?

You can't get to go in and out whenever you feel like it, it's not your house yet.

YABVVVVU to expect this girl to make herself available at your whims. She rejected two dates and gave you one that did suit her, I can't see what the problem is? She's not even the owner, just someone trying to help her family out. It's likely that she may even work on Saturdays. You should be thankful she's letting you in for another viewing, then don't bother her then until the house is in your name.

Do NOT expect to go in with builders for quotes. For one thing, this is not the current owners problem to put themselves out to save you time, you wait until you own it. Secondly, if the grandfather has died, then there is probably a lot of sentimental value in the home and builders stomping around and talking about what changes they are going to make may be very upsetting for the family.

Back off, you are being far too intense.

Can I also add that if the house is likely to be sold very quickly, and you are being a pain in the arse, they could well decide you are going to be too much trouble and put it back on the market.