To view a house I can't afford?

[likeamother]

Have lost all sense of reason after months of nightmare house hunting/not house hunting due to lockdown and would appreciate some thoughts and experiences!

In the current market, which seems weirdly quite buoyant perhaps 'cos of a bottleneck effect and the stamp duty holiday, is it madness to view a house about 6-7% over budget? For clarity, prices are around 240k with a budget of 225k, not in the higher regions where I guess a 15k price drop is more common.

I don't want to waste anyone's time, but neither do I want to miss out on a great property for my DC and me if making an offer this sort of % under is fairly common.

When my budget was less (have managed to increase my borrowing amount) the houses priced around 190k were going like hot cakes, but in this higher bracket they seem to be hanging around for longer, making me ponder...

Am I being unrealistic and unreasonable? WWYD, Mumsnet?

@Crankley agree 100%! It takes me a good 5 hours and I can only do it when the toddler is at nursery. I have 5 of us at home, me the only adult and it's a lot of effort keeping the house "show home". I cried with joy last week when a buyer cancelled a viewing as I was just done with having me two days toddler free taken up with tidying or viewings. Especially when the previous buyer wanted open plan kitchen/diner - that's what floor plans and photos show you

Five hours? Jesus,I could spring clean the place from top to bottom in that time.

I think it depends on the local market and both movers circumstances. If you're chain free in a slower market and they are desperate to move then you could be in with a chance in the right market. I'd speak to the agent first and see if you can get any feel for the circumstances.

We managed to get 6.5% off ours which took it to £222,500. I think it sometimes depends where you are in the chain as well as we were FTB so they’re seen as quite desirable to sellers so I understand. Go for it, you never know what their circumstances are.

@Alsohuman that's precisely what I'm doing each time for a viewing. I have 2 primary aged kids, one toddler and a very immature early teen. Who are all at home all of the time with the exception of toddler who is at nursery two days. She doesn't sleep so I don't get evenings and I also work. So it's a mammoth task to get it show ready (all washing put away, things tidied away, etc) I don't have a small house but it does look cluttered if things are left out.

I don't think Theres any harm in giving a lower offer. We sold MILs house when she died, it was valued at 350 but we accepted 315 from a couple who were proceedable because it was costing us money to keep it.

You might not need parking or a garage and therefore it might be easier for you to buy this house as others are less likely to want it but when you come to sell the house it's going to be harder to sell.

@fflelp yeah I do see what you mean. I actually DO want parking and a garage but am trying to work out where I can compromise as I cant stretch my budget. I haven’t even viewed houses where there’s no parking and it’s a crowded street but this road generally seems better as a lot have drives. You’ve brought to mind that I should scope it out at different times of day though.

I hope if you do then the vendor is a MNer and makes one of those hilarious offended by CF buyer posts. I love them.

I’m going to keep a close eye out now

Thanks everyone, lots to think about and has given me some useful insights to consider from both sides.

I did view one late this aft that I think now probably IS overpriced for a few reasons so if I go for it I won’t feel too cheeky going in 6% under!