We've exchanged and complete in 2 weeks - buyers want YET ANOTHER viewing

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We've exchanged contracts on the sale of our house - completion is in two weeks (we're in England).

Pre-exchange we accommodated multiple viewings - of course. We felt it was just part of the process and seemed fair enough.

We exchanged at the end of July. Since then, the buy has asked for (and we've accommodated) two more viewings, one really last minute while they knew we were on holiday and away (but we figured it out so they could come) and the second time one afternoon on a day they knew was a working day for us but was the only day/time that worked for them. We accommodated. They were here for four hours (the house is a pretty regular 4-bed detached house in a village - not some pile somewhere with a million rooms and corridors).

They're coming again today - for the third time. They've even asked me to push out a work call I have in case they need longer than 90 minutes here (I told them about that to try to get a sense of how long they'll be here for).

AIBU for feeling really quite put out??! The house is utter chaos - boxes everywhere, dust all over because we're actively packing. It doesn't look good at all and it's really stressing me out. I have been up until god knows what our the past two nights and up with the sparrows the following mornings trying to make things look a bit neater (not sure it's made a difference) but the more i do the angrier I get about it all. To top it off, the buyer sent us an email last night essentially saying "see you tomorrow" but jibed that "I guess you're more relaxed than we are". Well that's set me right off. I'm absolutely raging - they have no idea of all the shit going on in our lives at the moment (the house move is only one element and probably the least stressful one).

Please someone tell me I'm not being over-sensitive and they're truly CFs. Being tired and cranky isn't helping me no doubt, but we wouldn't dream of heading to our sellers' house now, when we'd been twice post-exchange already and when completion is in two weeks, so this is really pissing me off. I really need to not lose my shit at them when they rock up later this morning. Eeeeek.

XH's new house was already vacant when he bought it. He asked if he could move in after exchange. Not surprisingly, the response was no, no and thrice no.

OP we need updates! You're being dreadfully remiss.

Not in the UK. Viewings after exchange are at the discretion of the seller and they’re not legally bound to allow it. Our solicitor discouraged it - he advised that because the property was vacant, the sellers could refuse to leave, which would delay the sale process.

Absolutely no need for a 4 hour visit,never mind asking again for 90+ mins. No more.

You are their only client. You are the one that pays their bills.

OP, say no.

I’m in the US so the process is different, but same type of CFs.

We had a final date to close escrow, or complete. I had accommodated numerous extra viewings for them to measure, call in contractors, etc. I moved everything out and into storage as I was moving long distance. When the closing date arrived they weren’t ready. I ended up sleeping on the floor of my empty house for five days and finally staying in an hotel until the buyers were good and ready. The buyers did have to pay a penalty for not closing on time but I’m still angry even thinking about it seven years later.

Jesus, I would not be tolerating this at all!

Now you have exchanged contracts you no longer have to pander to their completely unreasonable demands. I would be telling them via the EA that there will be no more viewings.

Asking someone to delay a a work meeting just so that they can have (yet) another gander at the property they'll soon be living in is a serious pisstake imo.

Benefit tribunals and all sorts are done over the phone or via Zoom these days, imagine trying to get one of those rearranged after the client has already waited a year?

How about talking to your estate agent and asking them to make it clear that they can't be accommodated any further and that the most anyone could reasonably ask for is half an hour at a time convenient to you, not them?

The whole thing about return visits makes me very nervous. My very first property sale was to a young woman. She came time and time again with her parents and grandparents and aunties, who all sat themselves in my living room and talked curtains and carpets and expected me to provide tea. They must have turned up on the doorstep without warning a dozen times. Everything was going fine and then on the day of exchange they did the '15% off the agreed price or we'll walk' number. I told them to walk. Too many visits is a sure sign of cheeky fuckerdom.

Ha ha - they turned up 30 mins early. I had to compose myself. Until today I hadn't appreciated that I seem to have a quite serious anger problem simmering away under the surface! However, they stayed outside and didn't knock until 10 mins before the agreed time. At that point I let them in - figured they might as well get on with it. I think my stress was palpable as comment was made that I "look drained" (inside I was screaming NO FUCKING SHIT!). They faffed for a bit, measured the same things they'd measure last time, and did so multiple times. They left after 70 minutes, which was sooner than I'd expected. But not before asking if they could come back again next week for some BS reason that I can't quite comprehend. Anyway. It's done. BIZARRE.

Oh, i just wanted to put beyond doubt that I did not serve anyone brunch. If any such crap had been raised id have had a meltdown, no question. Brunch can go F itself.

Gosh I am angry. I need to try to snap out of this ASAP. I feel for the poor guy whose appraisal I'm doing this afternoon! Ugh.

@FedUpMumof10YO you really need to say No to the further viewing next week. Do it through the EA and say the constant viewings are stressful for you which seems to be the truth. Which I don't blame you for as I would be losing my mind over these nutcases.

"They left after 70 minutes, which was sooner than I'd expected. But not before asking if they could come back again next week for some BS reason that I can't quite comprehend. Anyway. It's done. BIZARRE."

How did you respond to that?

You’ve exchanged. Say no, life is too hectic right now what with moving.

Oh sure sure. I dare the delivery guy to knock on my door.

I hope youve said NO WAY!!!!!

Re the viewing next week, I've said we're not in. The end.

I sold a house as I was an executor and the buyers who were problematic during the long drawn out process continued to be problems right up to and after the move. I learned a lot - next time it will be a much colder business transaction - I was far too accommodating, understanding and considerate.

A neighbour of the property I sold informed me within a few months of these "second time around-ers" moving in that the "she" had discovered that the "he" had been messing about with yet another woman and that she'd thrown him out and was having to sell up. Like I say - they were just trouble from the start. I don't know about "him" but she had gone through an acrimonious divorce - which I was sympathetic with to begin with.

I'd block the buyers now and only go through the estate agents - they work for you - you pay them so tell them how you want all future communication to be handled. Don't you think they have used up all your good will?

So sorry for my delayed updates today btw. As soon as the buyers left it was straight onto work!

You've all been brilliant - thank you for the support and a few chuckles along the way. Been a very trying day (but that's probably clear) and you've honestly helped keep me sane!!!

they really are taking the piss-you shold not have said yes when you have work full stop

they'll go to the ea now and say can they show them round again because youre not in-just say no

They are about to pay you several hundred thousand pounds for something.

I'd be accommodating.

They'll probably still come over next week and peer in the windows since you've told them you're not in.

Good for you. They would have tested the patience of a saint.

Pity the curtains will all be closed.

You've exchanged- just say no. You don't need to accommodate them. I'd now reply "apologies something has come up and I can no longer accommodate your viewing" and leave it at that. If the EA chases leave it for a bit when he chases the 2nd time say "sorry maxxed out with packing didn't see the email, no time now but as we.complete in x days probably not an issue". Spin out the replies and you'll be completing. Be ready for cheeky fuckery around moving stuff in early and refuse.