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Original poster

Buying a new home - asking to see house again for measurements?

32 replies

novembersunshine · 01/06/2023 07:37

We are buying a new home and expect to get the keys in the first week of July.

This is also 1 week before we'll be having our baby (ELCS).

Would it be unreasonable to ask the sellers (via solicitors) if they would have a spare 20 minutes over the next few weeks for us to pop in and take measurements for new blinds in the baby's room? Only because blinds can take several weeks to be made and sent, and they don't qualify for express shipping.

I'm just aware things will be hectic once baby is here, I don't know how my recovery will be. But I don't want to be putting the sellers out or be cheeky by asking.

The sellers know we are expecting and were really nice and friendly when we saw them at the house viewing a month or so ago.

Any helpful opinions would be appreciated Smile

OP posts:
CleanCar · 01/06/2023 07:38

Shouldn’t be an issue. Ask via the estate agents. Perfectly normal request

EVHead · 01/06/2023 07:39

Yes I’ve done this a few times.

EggDaisy · 01/06/2023 07:39

Absolutely normal! Go for it.

Pottedpalm · 01/06/2023 07:40

Of course it’s fine. Our buyers came round and we were able to show them things like boiler controls, talk about oil deliveries etc. we all sat and had a glass of wine in the garden.

SilverTotoro · 01/06/2023 07:40

Perfectly normal - we did this as we were moving from a flat to a bigger house and wanted to order furniture in advance.

CrunchyCarrot · 01/06/2023 07:40

Should be OK!

IcedPurple · 01/06/2023 07:40

Seems fine to me.

Bbqshowdownusa · 01/06/2023 07:41

You can ask and if they say no that’s also fine.

dudsville · 01/06/2023 07:41

I think lots of sellers would be happy with this. We did it, tbh it was mostly because we were super excited and wanted a reason to see the house again. I'll never forget it, the sellers offered us tea and we sat for a few minutes taking about the neighbourhood.

Bbqshowdownusa · 01/06/2023 07:41

Pottedpalm · 01/06/2023 07:40

Of course it’s fine. Our buyers came round and we were able to show them things like boiler controls, talk about oil deliveries etc. we all sat and had a glass of wine in the garden.

I don’t think that’s the normal though. It’s nice but Iv never knows anyone to do that.

Shintyhappypeople · 01/06/2023 07:43

I'd be fine with that. We asked our seller to do it and they were OK about it.

Original poster
novembersunshine · 01/06/2023 07:47

Oh wow I wasn't expecting this to have been so commonplace!

Thanks everyone for sharing your opinions and experiences, this has been really helpful Smile

OP posts:
ChickenMacaroni · 01/06/2023 07:48

You can ask but really don't worry if not. Your baby won't notice if it's a nice blind or a pegged up bath towel at the window intitially. Anyway, it's recommended that babies sleep on a seperate surface, but in their parents' room until they're 6 months old as it reduces the risk of SIDs, so you may want to keep them in with you anyway.

Roselilly36 · 01/06/2023 07:52

Totally reasonable to request this, we have always done this, moved many times over the years. Wishing you all the best with the baby. Good luck.

Original poster
novembersunshine · 01/06/2023 07:55

ChickenMacaroni · 01/06/2023 07:48

You can ask but really don't worry if not. Your baby won't notice if it's a nice blind or a pegged up bath towel at the window intitially. Anyway, it's recommended that babies sleep on a seperate surface, but in their parents' room until they're 6 months old as it reduces the risk of SIDs, so you may want to keep them in with you anyway.

Thank you, well aware of the sleeping guidance for infants Smile

I would just like their room to be as ready as can be and I know I'll be preoccupied with baby once they're here! Not been able to nest at all during this pregnancy Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
novembersunshine · 01/06/2023 07:56

@Roselilly36 thank you Smile

OP posts:
AlwaysPlayingYellowCar · 01/06/2023 08:18

Ideally you should see it before exchange - when you have to start insuring it - to check nothing bad has happened to the house!

CatsOnTheChair · 01/06/2023 08:19

Totally normal to go and have a look again before exchanging.
After all, that is the condition in which you are buying the house - damage before exchange is on the seller. Damage after exchange is on the buyer.
I thought another viewing before exchange was pretty typical?

icebearforpresident · 01/06/2023 08:20

Estate agent here 🙋‍♀️

This is a normal request but a lot of solicitors will advise against it until the missives have concluded in Scotland or you have exchanged contracts in England. The request should go via your solicitor. Of course if you have direct contract with the sellers and have been on good terms so far, a text message asking if you could go in to measure for blinds at their convenience, probably would be dealt with a lot quicker.

Original poster
novembersunshine · 01/06/2023 08:41

@icebearforpresident this is helpful, thank you!

OP posts:
AlwaysPlayingYellowCar · 01/06/2023 09:36

icebearforpresident · 01/06/2023 08:20

Estate agent here 🙋‍♀️

This is a normal request but a lot of solicitors will advise against it until the missives have concluded in Scotland or you have exchanged contracts in England. The request should go via your solicitor. Of course if you have direct contract with the sellers and have been on good terms so far, a text message asking if you could go in to measure for blinds at their convenience, probably would be dealt with a lot quicker.

What kind of idiot solicitor would advise against seeing the property before taking responsibility for it?! Or do you mean the sellers side?

Shhhquirrel · 01/06/2023 09:39

icebearforpresident · 01/06/2023 08:20

Estate agent here 🙋‍♀️

This is a normal request but a lot of solicitors will advise against it until the missives have concluded in Scotland or you have exchanged contracts in England. The request should go via your solicitor. Of course if you have direct contract with the sellers and have been on good terms so far, a text message asking if you could go in to measure for blinds at their convenience, probably would be dealt with a lot quicker.

Why the solicitor not the EA? It would never cross my mind not to ask the EA to request this.

mondaytosunday · 01/06/2023 09:39

@icebearforpresident very surprised you say this. My solicitors always recommended a walk through just before exchange. I've been buying and selling since the 1980s and try and do that.
OP I would request thru the agents as they are most likely to have access.

Peonyfun · 01/06/2023 09:41

icebearforpresident · 01/06/2023 08:20

Estate agent here 🙋‍♀️

This is a normal request but a lot of solicitors will advise against it until the missives have concluded in Scotland or you have exchanged contracts in England. The request should go via your solicitor. Of course if you have direct contract with the sellers and have been on good terms so far, a text message asking if you could go in to measure for blinds at their convenience, probably would be dealt with a lot quicker.

How very odd, I’m Scottish, it is perfectly fine to ask your agent if you can have another viewing.

CatsOnTheChair · 01/06/2023 09:44

View before exchange - after is too late definetly too late if you simultaneously exchange and complete like we did!
I too would go through the estate agent.

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