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Original poster

Strangers in my house?

95 replies

Wildflower123 · 11/01/2020 14:55

I’m selling my house at the moment, the estate agent has done all my viewings. Had one today and I came home around 2.5 hours after it had been done.

About 20 mins after I got home the doorbell rang and it (so they said) were the viewers from this morning and could they have another look.

Is this normal?

OP posts:
Berthatydfil · 11/01/2020 14:59

On one hand they might be really keen on the house and want to check a few things over before making an offer and thought they might take a chance and approach you in person.
On the other hand they might be chancing time wasters.
I’m either case they are being a bit CF ish and you would not be unreasonable to say no it’s not convenient please ring EA to make another apt next week.

NearlyGranny · 11/01/2020 15:00

No, not normal! They need to go through the agent. They could be anybody really, couldn't they? Don't let them in.

"I'm glad you like the house but viewings are strictly through the agent. It's what we're paying the fee for. I'm sure Carl will arrange a second viewing for you at a time convenient for all concerned."

If you let them in you could find they push their luck and try to do a deal that cuts the agent (and all your protection) out.

SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 15:05

Yes totally normal. Also normal just to have people knock and ask to view.

Do you want to sell the house?

HugoSpritz · 11/01/2020 15:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wowfudge · 11/01/2020 15:09

It really isn't normal - that's why the EA's board, website and listings online all state, "viewings by appointment only". It's not just for your convenience, it's for safety and security. If you were happy to show them round then and there, I would advise asking their names and checking they were legit with the EA first. You only have their word that they viewed this morning - they could be con artists/on the rob.

HugoSpritz · 11/01/2020 15:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluntness100 · 11/01/2020 15:11

Bit odd. I'd confirm with the agent, but I'd then let them view again.

pigsDOfly · 11/01/2020 15:11

Could be anyone. You have no idea who they are.

They need to go through the agent.

Of course you could, if you felt so inclined, ask their name, ask them to wait outside for a moment and then ring the agent to ask them if they showed a Mrs Jones round this morning.

TulipCat · 11/01/2020 15:11

They were probably still in the area viewing and are interested enough to want a second look. They may not live nearby yet so wanted to avoid another trip. Nothing sinister in it, but also fine if you prefer them to go through the estate agent.

FullOfJellyBeans · 11/01/2020 15:12

It's happened to lots of people who are selling their house I know. One had actually taken her house off the market and someone knocked and asked to look around because they'd been getting ready to arrange a viewing when it was taken off. They eventually did buy the house. It's fine to say "sorry not right now" though.

pigsDOfly · 11/01/2020 15:12

x post with several others.

Ouchaheadinmybehind · 11/01/2020 15:17

Not normal.
Did you actually let them in?
Next time just say “sorry this isn’t a good time, could you just contact the EA & they will rearrange a convenient time?”

littlepaddypaws · 11/01/2020 15:17

san so you are okay with some random wanting to look around your house without ea apt ? at least ea would have some details about them, we are going on the market soon and there is no way i would allow this as i'm on my own during the day and would be nervous about a stranger ringing my door bee and 'invading' my space just because they saw the sign outside.

littlepaddypaws · 11/01/2020 15:18

door bell Blush

ThePluckOfTheCoward · 11/01/2020 15:19

No this is not normal. They should have 'phoned the EA to see if you were willing to let them come round for a 2nd viewing that afternoon unaccompanied by the EA. That would have confirmed to you that they were the same viewers from this morning and not some randoms just wanting a nosey.

Reallybadidea · 11/01/2020 15:20

Yeah we had that. They went on to make a full offer... and then dick is about Angry

PianoTuner567 · 11/01/2020 15:20

Not normal and I expect the ea would take a dim view of it as well. No obligation to let them in, tell them to go back to the ea.

Mumof1andacat · 11/01/2020 15:20

I would only want to have viewings when the estate agent is present at a pre arranged time. You can say this to the agent and have this on the advert. You dont know who these people are you are letting in to your home. Not safe enough for my liking.

PicsInRed · 11/01/2020 15:21

If they don't understanding viewing norms (which is basically common sense when going through an agent) they'll be a total pain in the arse generally.

I wouldn't let them in and wouldn't worry for a second about losing their business.

isabellerossignol · 11/01/2020 15:24

I'd send them back to the estate agent to arrange a convenient time.

Having said that, any time we were moving house it was always the homeowner themselves who did the viewings (unless the property was empty) , but only at a time arranged through the estate agent.

AriadnesFilament · 11/01/2020 15:29

Not
Normal

Absolutely not normal

JosefKeller · 11/01/2020 15:29

Absolutely NOT normal and very rude. Good luck if they want to buy, they clearly don't have a clue and will be a pain in the ass. They might be genuine, but clueless buyers are annoying.

Just because you sell a house doesn't mean people have access to it 24/7.

1forsorrow · 11/01/2020 15:30

If I was wanting to sell the house, not sure why I would have it up for sale if I didn't, then I'd welcome them with open arms. People interested in buying something I want to sell is great in my opinion.

1forsorrow · 11/01/2020 15:33

Having said that, any time we were moving house it was always the homeowner themselves who did the viewings (unless the property was empty) , but only at a time arranged through the estate agent. Same here, I've always done the viewings when selling a house as well. I don't like the idea of people looking round the house without being there to keep an eye on what is going on so I've never given EA a key.

I wonder if it is a regional thing?

wowfudge · 11/01/2020 15:34

Ever sold a house 1forsorrow?

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