CF? Would you park on the driveway of a house you were viewing to buy?

[movingonupps]

This happened to us today and DH & I can't quite workout if we were the CF or not lol.

Went to viewing, no where to park, 1 car already on 3 car drive.

We parked on drive and got out of car

Vendor opens door, asks why we have parked on drive.

Explained we had a viewing

Again she said why have you parked on drive, her son will be home shortly

I said if it's a problem, we will just leave; so we did!

Her EA was gobsmacked when I explained why we didn't do the viewing.

Who is BU?

Our house is slightly awkward to park on the drive and if we move I would make a point of testing the driveway.

Vendor is daft IMO and YANBU

If no other option I can’t see the problem as you have come to view the house, this is why estate agents prefer vendors to be out. Also agree better to know now as she’d have been a nightmare to buy from.

@LadyLazarus40

Isn’t the point of a drive that it’s somewhere to park when you’re visiting that property?

People saying you shouldn’t have parked in their property I genuinely don’t understand. Do you not let delivery drivers / visitors / tradespeople park in your drive?

No. I don’t.

People saying you shouldn’t have parked in their property I genuinely don’t understand. Do you not let delivery drivers / visitors / tradespeople park in your drive?

No. I don’t

I bet that adds a tenner to your bills.

Normal people surely say: "Oh, we parked on the drive - are we OK there?" and get the normal reply "of course that's fine" (and if the son is due to be home, just tell the son to park on the road and move it when the viewing is over)

Exactly.

@EthelTheAardvark

People saying you shouldn’t have parked in their property I genuinely don’t understand. Do you not let delivery drivers / visitors / tradespeople park in your drive?

No. I don’t

I bet that adds a tenner to your bills.

Bet lost, baby

On the day we exchanged we asked permission to park on one of the spaces while we collected the van. It's just manners to check. On every viewing we parked up the road.

I’ve viewed over 100 houses. I’ve never parked on anyones drive.

As for people saying “does she want to sell her house”. Trust me, she won’t have a problem. It’s a clear sellers market. So she can be a dick if she wants.

We did park in a drive during viewing. We thought it was normal but vendor clearly didn’t like it although she didn’t say anything much. I can’t see the problem, if you’re visiting, you use the drive if there’s space and nothing on the street. I don’t think you are BU but people are weirdly territorial.

In all our viewings over the years we’ve always parked on the seller’s drive if there was space and the agent usually does too or nearby, but gave us priority if there was no space. Same with buyers coming to see our house.

I’m really surprised that some people don’t let deliveries and tradespeople park in their drive! I find that really really odd. That’s what it’s there for surely? Parking for access to the house. People are strange.

I wouldn't park on the drive but if I was selling my house I wouldn't complain , she's the CF

That’s really rude of the vendor. Always thought parking on a drive was a way of making you feel at home when looking to buy. Must admit though I like to park away from a house I’m viewing to get a better idea of neighbouring houses. It’s the vendors loss, don’t lose sleep over it.

Next door are selling their house over the last few days I’ve watched loads of families turn up and park on the drive.

Can’t see what the problem is.

I would have done the same as you OP, reversed the hell out of there without a backwards glance!

I don’t think you did anything wrong!

I once viewed a house and parked in the road. The owners came out screaming that the trees were so dangerous that they would damage our car. They then, as we were viewing the property from hell, told us how they were moving as they had been banned from fostering for child abuse! I'd always park in the road for a viewing though.

I’d ask before parking on someone’s drive. In these circumstances I would not have asked but parked on the street or elsewhere.

Maybe I’m weird.

As the vendor is have sucked it up politely tho.

Yeah I’m probably weird ..

Run to the hills and don't look back! Seller is a huge CF with zero people skills.

@Goodbyetowinter

I once viewed a house and parked in the road. The owners came out screaming that the trees were so dangerous that they would damage our car. They then, as we were viewing the property from hell, told us how they were moving as they had been banned from fostering for child abuse! I'd always park in the road for a viewing though.

Blimey, that was an exciting viewing. Ours have been very boring by comparison.

If I thought there was a chance you'd buy my house, I'd have given your car a wash whilst it was there! 😆 Seriously, I think you've had a lucky escape.

@daddaddad

I agree completely!

I do house calls/selling all day, I never use the drive as you don't want the partner turning up when you are on the appointment and they can't park.

@Daffi

I do house calls/selling all day, I never use the drive as you don't want the partner turning up when you are on the appointment and they can't park.

But that’s completely different - you’re selling, OP intended buying.

When we were selling our house viewers always parked on our drive without asking. Never even occurred to me that they would park anywhere else, and I certainly wouldn't expect them to ask.
You are asking someone to buy something costing £X,000,000 from you - if you go out of your way to be a total arsehole about them parking on your drive then you are either thick as mince, or don't actually want to sell your house.

I always park on the drive if it’s available, i want to check out how easy it is to park there and to leave. She was being an idiot and I like your response.