Buyers following surveyor round?

[SingingSands]

Is this usual practice? I’m at work, DH has texted to say our buyers met with the surveyor and now they’re outside “discussing stuff”.

Just wondered if this is normal? We didn’t do it on our survey, although we didn’t go for a full structural.

Feeling a bit worried now.

No it's not really normal if is it an independent survey for a mortgage company? If so I wouldn't worry about it they won't influence the surveyor.

I often meet with the surveyor I know him personally and use him regularly and prefer to talk a property through I also tell him what I have offered and why and take his advice on whether it's a fair price.

On the other hand if it's a survey they personally have commissioned then if they use the result to try to negotiate price down I would be pointing out that their behaviour indicates a possibility that they influenced the surveyor and wouldn't necessarily be negotiating down.

If i had commissioned a full structural survey then i might well go round with the surveyor - particularly if it is a house that needs a lot if work or extending. A surveyor is a professional and will be reporting what he sees and work that will need doing on the property going forward - there would normally be a mortgage valuation as well which would be more about the price. I wouldnt worry - if they have paid for a full structural survey it shows they are serious about buying.

If I were the seller I wouldn't like this, but if I were the buyer and paying for the survey, then I probably would want to be there too. I am very unimpressed with surveyors in general, and would have specific things to ask him about or want him to check, and to be honest, I think he might be a bit more thorough if his client is at his side. I don't think you can object, but the buyers should have really asked permission before turning up too.

Thanks for your responses.

I’ve since phoned DH who has run through a list of issues that came up. Nothing major thankfully!

We are selling an 85 year old house so I wasn’t expecting a pristine report. Will wait and see what the buyers come back with later this week.

DH said they seemed quite happy and still seem very invested in buying and they even gave him some interesting historical info about the original housebuilder, which we didn’t know of.

I’m going to make a cuppa and get on with some work and put the stress of selling and purchasing houses on the shelf for a few hours!

Thanks all!

I had a full structural survey on a recent purchase. I'd only ever had a valuation one in the past. I did actually ask if I could join the surveyor and was refused! The house was empty and the owner would have allowed me to be there. However the company told me it was not the done thing as his job was to survey and write up his report, not to take further time to explain things as he was going along. I was a bit taken aback but just accepted it

Whenever we've been able to attend and/or talk to the surveyor afterwards, it's been invaluable. The report has to be very formal, but they can be much more honest in person.

For our first purchase, the report listed loads of things that should be done. The surveyor informally said the house was a great deal and nothing needed doing in the short term. As first time buyers, it was invaluable, and helped us have a perspective on the 'scary' looking report.