How many times is it reasonable to view a house?

[ParkingIInPlainSight]

I’m wondering about goin* back for a third look...is that getting a bit cheeky? We aren’t sure....it’s top end of budget.

That’s fine I’m my opinion.

Depends on the market where you are. We just missed out on a place that was perfect (and £200k under budget!) because we couldn’t arrange a viewing in time (it sold in under a week). If the market is so slow where you are three viewings is probably fine.

In the past we’ve accommodated several re visits. To us it’s reasonable, when so much money is at stake.
Although, we usually only go twice before offering.

We went once and put our offer in. We went a second time afterwards to take some measurements as they didn't have the measurements of all of the rooms on the listing and schedule.

I'd love to go back for a third to take my mum along this time but I feel it's a bit much so I'm not going to ask. We're moving in 3 weeks anyway so she'll see it soon enough but I often wondered the same!

I don't feel there's any harm in asking!

Twice absolutely fine. I'd probably be raising my eyebrows at you wanting a third visit and wondering where it was all stop. There's no harm in asking but know that they'll probably be a little put out by it

I work for an EA and it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if you wanted a third viewing, it would indicate to me you are seriously considering buying the property. Not only that but if it is the top end of your budget, you need to be 110% sure it's the property for you. The last thing I would want to do is sell you a house that in 12 months time you wanted to sell, and the chances are you wouldn't come back to me to help you sell it as you may feel like you'd been pushed in to buying!

@autumnleaves15 there's no harm in asking! We did that when we bought ours (didn't work for the EA at the time!) so as long as they have time to do it, I'm sure they'll help you out xx

A house is a huge investment. If you feel you need to look again, then you book that third viewing, and all the very best of luck with your future move.

If you’re actually buying the house 3 or 4 is fine. It’s the people who have no intention of buying and just want a nosy that irritate me.

As many times as you need.

I think it is ridiculous that we spend hundreds of thousands of pounds based on two cursory (often no more than one hour) visits. It is really only possible to get an impression of a property in that time, not a true understanding of the property you are committing to living in for a long period.

I was recently asked to make an offer on a property based on a 30 minute viewing, with other couples viewing at the same time. I had little opportunity to see much of the property and the Agent was unable to answer any of my questions. I was then put under pressure because the property had had so many viewings and the Agent expected an imminent offer.

I declined. Despite the fact that I thought the house was exactly what I was looking for I am not prepared to play those games.

4 weeks later it is still no under offer !!

To be honest there's no upper limit. Some vendors are so deluded about the price and act so appallingly that I have stopped to be concerned about what they may deem appropriate. I am the one paying close to a million, if I want to see the house 5 times, I have every right to. They usually didn't even earn their wealth. Most of the kn*bs i came across bought their properties for 5x less money or were trying to soothe their grief after parent's passing by being astonishingly greedy (accepting the full asking price offer than demanding thousands more a few weeks later). It's not that I've actually viewed any of the houses more than twice, but wouldn't hesitate to.

I think it’s fine to go back a third time but I do think it needs to be a more focussed visit, not just another wander around. What are you unsure about? Have some specific questions to ask or find out about.

3 seems perfectly reasonable to me! It's a huge purchase, after all - probably by far the biggest you'll ever make, so you need to be sure.

Anyone who thinks 1 or 2 of the typical 10-15 minutes most EAs allow for, before they have to dash off for the next, is VU.

Three if absolutely necessary but no more.

We are moving mainly for a garden. So want to be sure of it. And that the house gets enough light....

My friend reckons you know right away...but we are having to compromise to get a garden in the location we want so...

We viewed ours 3 times, once alone, 2nd was with parents for opinions and to decide if we wanted to make an offer. The 3rd time was to measure fit curtains etc.
The house was empty though, not sure if someone lived in the house we'd have been able to, especially with parents.
But then again, I'd happily accommodate that personally.

Second look was with parents and owner was there...that's not as easy.

You usually know right away if you like a house. But that could be based on aesthetics rather than if the house is right for you.

I think it should be more like the Scottish system with full documents on the table but with a 2 week viewing window so none of this panic sealed bids/open house buzz crap.

I think 2 viewings is standard in slow moving market.

I’ve usually bought when the market has been fast so I’ve viewed, Offered usually after a 100 people open day, Viewed again straight after to be sure it’s correct and not to mess around vendor and lose all other offers(not had one where I have pulled out, but still keep it fast). And viewed after survey to focus on anything and take measurements.

If your viewing for garden light. Download Google Earth and use the history timeline feature. You can see how much light the plot gets depending on date but doesn’t give time of day. My house has 30 or so satellite pictures from 98 onwards.
If Google doesn’t have the month/season you’re looking for use findmyshadow.com to see how the house/surrounds cast shadows. Not a perfect but gives you a better idea.

We're selling at the moment and I'd have no issue with someone coming back for a third viewing - it's a huge decision. If they came back for a fourth and fifth I might start to think they weren't quite serious though. We've bought three times based on two viewings but took our time on the second viewing and were there a long time, measuring things up etc. It is awkward when the seller is there though so I don't blame you for wanting another look. All you can do is ask!

I sold a house that was viewed ELEVEN times. As a PP said, given the money involved, I welcomed them with open arms (well, I would have done had I been present). I did all I could to facilitate it - I took the view that if it had been a work project with that level of budget, it would have warranted several meetings/decisions etc.

A third is ok as long as you are pretty sure it's suitable and you can stretch to it but are trying to make a final decision. If there's actually no way you can afford it, don't waste the owners time.

I think you know straight away if it's really not suitable - I have hot footed it out of a few properties in my time. And the wonderful thing is now you can have a look at street view and satellite images first (if you don't know the area). I have always done my purchases in two, a couple in three, but no more. However, I am quite decisive. It's usually view, make offer, if accepted go back around exchange time for measuring.
The last property we sold the whole family came round so the children could chose their bedrooms (just around exchange time). We got on really well and we did an afternoon tea for us all. We are still acquainted. Not all buyers are a pain by any means.

We went 4 times - twice before we put an offer in and twice afterwards