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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you buy a house without viewing inside?

168 replies

Longjohn33 · 03/02/2021 20:34

Due to corona the vendors aren’t allowing people inside to view. Given the current housing market I believe it will sell regardless.

We have driven outside it and really like what we see. It’s a new build (not brand new) 5 years old. We have plenty of photos.

It is well within budget and really the first house we’ve seen in a year that I think has lots of potential and a good price.

We were priced out of any other house we’ve been remotely interested in due to the demand when the housing market opened and restrictions were lifted.

We need to move ASAP for schools and so time is ticking. We were due to move last March but it fell through when corona struck.

OP posts:
Aiaiaicorona · 03/02/2021 20:35

God no!

littlepattilou · 03/02/2021 20:35

Absolutely not.

CaptainSirTomMooreismyhero · 03/02/2021 20:36

I definitely wouldn't buy without inspecting inside. Photos can hide a multitude of sins.

Pippa234 · 03/02/2021 20:37

No definitely not.

StoneofDestiny · 03/02/2021 20:37

No

ForTheLoveOfWine · 03/02/2021 20:38

No way! Photos are designed to make houses look amazing.
You could put an offer in subject to a viewing tbh I’d be surprised if they sold without a viewing

UmbilicusProfundus · 03/02/2021 20:39

The vendors are ridiculous.

Socksey · 03/02/2021 20:39

Yes but get a good survey...
I did this some years ago... no regrets

HeddaGarbled · 03/02/2021 20:39

The owners are being ridiculous. I wouldn’t trust them an inch.

SnarkyBag · 03/02/2021 20:41

Yes we have done albeit a holiday home abroad. Main home I would have to live in? no I wouldn’t. Would be highly surprised if they get much interest without viewings unless it’s an absolute bargain

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 03/02/2021 20:42

Houses are absolutely being viewed at the moment.

What are they trying to hide?

Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole!!!

funnylittlefloozie · 03/02/2021 20:42

Not a bloody chance. I don't think it will sell quickly if the vendors are being so silly. Obviously I could well be wrong and it will sell in days, but there is no chance I would ever do this. I am looking at houses at the moment and haven't seen any adverts that say they won't allow viewing. I wouldn't even do virtual viewing. I'd rather wait until things are better.

mamaoffourdc · 03/02/2021 20:42

Yep I have - although I would now get them to do a video tour and get a really good survey x

MoveAsideCherry · 03/02/2021 20:42

No, it is madness

funnylittlefloozie · 03/02/2021 20:44

@Socksey

Yes but get a good survey... I did this some years ago... no regrets
Would they allow a surveyor in, though? Glad it worked out well for you, but why did you buy a house without seeing it?
Ilikewinter · 03/02/2021 20:44

Ooh thats very risky, what if the bedroom wall has a big crack down it!!
At 5 years old I would expect it to be almost perfect, maybe they can do a video tour so you can see every room.
I assume they will be willing to let the surveyor in or they wont be selling their house!

FTEngineerM · 03/02/2021 20:44

Erm.. how are you going to get a survey done if they won’t allow anyone in?

There could be damp in places you cannot see. It could stink of fags/damp. Cracks in the walls. Wide angle lenses make every room appear larger. Uneven surfaces. Workmanship quality cannot be inspected in photos.

Confusedcabbage · 03/02/2021 20:44

No, that's absolutely crazy. I'm selling my house and know lots of people who are. We're all allowing house viewings as are the places I'm going to see.

Koolandorthegang · 03/02/2021 20:45

I’m not sure. Possibly, all things you have said considered.

Think about it this way; what would you have to find in the house or outside space at the viewing that would put you off buying? Would a Smokey smell do it? Not enough light in the rooms? Too overlooked at the back? Garden smaller than it looks?

Would you consider putting up a link so we could give you our opinions?

EwwSprouts · 03/02/2021 20:46

Not a cat in hell's chance.

Longdistance · 03/02/2021 20:47

No. They need to take it off the market.

PleaseLetItBeNapTime · 03/02/2021 20:47

Definitely not. Photos can be very deceiving - somewhat catfish-y.

OH and I did a number of viewings last year as we're having to move, and it was quite surprising how different some of the houses looked in real life.

FamilyOfAliens · 03/02/2021 20:47

I bought us a house without DH seeing it Grin

I viewed on the Thursday afternoon - final offers had to be in by Friday noon. It was 200 miles away and DH was working so he couldn’t come and see it. I also had to pitch my offer so it wasn’t too much or too little - turned out there were 11 other offers.

catwithflowers · 03/02/2021 20:47

Good grief, absolutely no way! It's the biggest purchase you will make in your life. Hundreds of thousands of pounds! I can never understand people who offer on a house after only seeing it once 🙈😂.

Bigwaves · 03/02/2021 20:47

We had an offer on our last house and the buyer hadn’t seen it. They knew they wanted the house, however I insisted they come view as I didn’t want them getting cold feet later in the process.
Would I do it personally? God no!