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Original poster

Property viewing etiquette

22 replies

chanie44 · 02/02/2013 18:11

How many people can you reasonably take with you?

Mil is buying a property and as she is on her own, wants second opinions, which is fair enough.

She recently wanted family opinions on a property she liked. However, this could mean there would be 5 adults and 5 children, viewing the property.

I don't think it's right to bring that many people into somebody's home (it's a 1930's semi so not a huge mansion) as I wouldn't be happy having that many strangers all over my home.

Am I being weird or is it acceptable?

OP posts:

NotADragonOfSoup · 02/02/2013 18:16

IMO you can't take 10 people to view a property!

TeamEdward · 02/02/2013 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gemma4d · 02/02/2013 18:22

I'd say no for first viewing, anything goes on second viewing if seriously considering making offer.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 02/02/2013 19:25

Agree with gemma. Surely she can visit and know something is generally appealing before bringing in a gaggle of onlookers. Is there no way she could cull the herd? Perhaps taking one or two others for the first visit, maybe another on a subsequent visit? We've had a number of people visiting the house we live in at the moment, and so far the biggest group was 4.

Original poster

chanie44 · 02/02/2013 21:20

Mr c went to see the house the first time. She invited mr c and I to the second viewing - house is literally down the road and I thought it was just us going so I agreed. Then she said sail and 3 children were also going. Dsil's partner is working so had to bring them. If mr c and I went, we would have to bring our children, so I said I would stay.

Mil couldn't see the problem with all of us going, but I feel it's too many.

OP posts:

FlatCapAndAWhippet · 02/02/2013 21:38

You're right, it is too many.

specialsubject · 02/02/2013 22:04

no, way too many. The kids have no input to the decision and just need supervising, so that distracts the adults. Get some people to supervise the kids outside or in a nearby park while the others view the house.

nocake · 03/02/2013 07:44

If you were seriously considering an offer on my house (i.e. second viewing) as far as I'm concerned you could bring the entire London Philarmonic orchestra if it would help you make the decision... but no to that many kids as they won't be contributing to the decision and it's better to keep the numbers down on a first viewing.

MarjorieAntrobus · 03/02/2013 07:57

First viewings - just DH and me.
Second viewings - DH, me plus 4 teenage DCs, by prior arrangement ie owner knew we were all coming.

But ten people at a first viewing? No.

NotADragonOfSoup · 03/02/2013 08:02

I woudn't even let 10 people in at one for a subsequent viewing TBH. Far too many to fit into each room and far too many for me to keep track of - I wouldn't want people/children wandering free range around my home.

NotGoodNotBad · 03/02/2013 20:15

Who is Mr C? Do you mean your DH? If he's seen it already, why can't he look after the kids - then just your MIL, you and your SIL could go?

frostyfingers · 04/02/2013 16:22

I went to view a house with DH, MIL and 3 children (not by choice, but by circumstance) and asked the agent to ask the vendor if that was acceptable. We asked the dc's to wait in the car, which they did but the vendor was happy for them to hang around outside while we viewed inside. This was fine by me.

I had a viewing when 4 adults instead of the anticipated 2 turned up, I was on my own and found it really difficult as the 2 not viewing kept wandering off or lingering behind and one or both of them used the bathroom without asking - not a crime, but I would have asked. When I explained to the agent he was very apologetic as he didn't know (or he said he didn't know!) they were going to be there.

No way would I want 10 people looking around my house - MIL needs to cut down!

Pancakeflipper · 04/02/2013 16:26

Far too many. I am open mouthed that your MIL would think that's ok to take round your average semi.

Unless the house is empty with no one living in it.

Yfronts · 04/02/2013 16:29

4 people at a push. If she is interested she will need to go back for another look anyway and can show any others then.

lottiegarbanzo · 04/02/2013 16:41

I had a young couple plus three parents (who I imagine would have been paying the deposit) for a second viewing, in a small house. Fine as I knew in advance and they all showed an interested and behaved nicely, oh and the house was unfurnished.

Especially in a furnished home, I wouldn't want any disinterested extras wandering about and lingering in different rooms. Part of the agent or owner's task is to keep an eye on their possessions unfortunately. More to the point though, viewing my home is not an entertainment, however casually, it is part of a business transaction.

Dothraki · 04/02/2013 16:43

I really cannot understand why she would want all those people - seriously, would she want every single persons opinion, and these days they can all just look at the photos online.

Toomuchtea · 04/02/2013 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RCheshire · 04/02/2013 17:01

The last two places I sold had viewings with six people - one was a couple with both sets of parents. The second was a couple, two kids and one set of parents.
I didn't mind to be honest, especially as one of those bought! I suspect it will become more common with parents increasingly having a stake in the deposit etc.

10 is an awful lot though!

Mum2Fergus · 04/02/2013 17:22

There is no way Id let that many people in for a viewing...regardless of previous visits. Id be wary of safety/security apart from anything else...

nocake · 04/02/2013 17:40

I've been thinking about this question and your MiL is likely to end up with too many opinions. Everyone will have a different view and she could end up confused. It might be better for her to take the two people whose opinions she most values.

FlouncingMintyy · 04/02/2013 17:43

Definitely not ok for the 5 children to be there.

Springforward · 04/02/2013 22:02

I have never successfully viewed a house with our lone toddler DS in tow.... DCs will only serve as a distraction IMHO. We used to move heaven and earth to find babysitters, or failing that took turns to sit with DS in the car and view the house seperately (no-one ever said they minded us doing that).

The most I have ever had at a viewing is four - the couple thinking of buying, and one set of parents who were putting up the deposit - and that was more than enough for me, TBH.

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