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Original poster

AIBU when buyer wants to show his American friends around?

26 replies

Dig4Victory · 29/07/2019 16:17

We are at least 5 - 6 weeks from exchange and they have already had 2 standard viewings (1 + 2 hrs) after which they made their offer. Then the wife wanted to go over the garden to discuss the different plants - 3.5 hrs and she filmed me at the same time on her mobile. Another 2 hours a few weeks later to 'measure up for curtains' 4 hours survey with husband following the surveyor around. Now my buyers have some friends over next week-end from USA, and want to 'show them round our new house'. I really think this is beyond the bloody pail, anyone else want to tell me I'm unreasonable to refuse this. It's all the tidying up, with half packed boxes in every room. Grrh. They have lived in rented for 40 years and haven't had to go through the 'tidying for viewings' scenario themselves.

OP posts:
sunshinesupermum · 29/07/2019 16:20

YANBU. Tal to your estate agent and say they have had more than enough visits. It is not their house until after completion!

billybagpuss · 29/07/2019 16:20

I can understand why they want to, if they've been renting for 40 years they must be beyond excited to get their own place.

But enough is enough, just apologise politely and say that it is not convenient for you.

hadthesnip2 · 29/07/2019 16:26

No way. It's still your house & they've had enough "visits" in any case.

They can show their American friends round once they've moved in - I'm sure they'll be back over to little ole Britain another time.

LaurieFairyCake · 29/07/2019 16:47

I would say yes but say you only have 20 minutes at whatever time is convenient to you.

I think all those hours is crazy and I'm aghast at the filming Shock

Gustavo1 · 29/07/2019 16:53

If you aren’t keen, I would say that it’s not convenient. You can say you have guests on your own at that point or something.
It’s still your home. You don’t have to be as accommodating as you have been!

isseywithcats · 29/07/2019 20:07

blimey cheeky beggars we looked at the one weve bought once , offer accepted and then didnt go near it again till we moved in, except for me walking past it on my way home from the bus stop as its one street from where we lived

MaybeitsMaybelline · 30/07/2019 06:52

No way.

Esto · 30/07/2019 06:55

She filmed you? Wtf?

Pipandmum · 30/07/2019 06:56

I’m all for multiple viewings but even I think the hours of viewing is excessive. And I would not have allowed anyone to film me.
Tell the agent no, especially as they haven’t even exchanged yet!

Toffeecakes · 30/07/2019 07:02

YANBU! At all! Why were you filmed?! I think you need to speak to the estate agent, I imagine you're buyers will be like ours were on completion day, they kept trying to turn up to help us pack. The estate agent had to tell them to leave us alone, they'd driven past the house and then complained to the estate agent that there wasn't much going on and we were holding things up.

People are CF, don't let them impose on you any more. They might be excited to move into their own home but surely they can show friends the pictures (and the video). There's no way they'd be traipsing their friends through my house!

ZaphodBeeblerox · 30/07/2019 07:06

We are buying a seven figure home in London and have seen it once. We haven’t exchanged yet and have asked repeatedly to just see it again, take a few measurements for our decorator etc and this has been repeatedly politely refused with “they’re away, it’s not convenient” etc.
You seem incredibly nice to the buyers! But showing their friends around seems ridiculous.

BookWitch · 30/07/2019 07:08

YANBU

but please elaborate on the buyer filming you????

jjimdak · 30/07/2019 07:12

Just tell them that it’s the holiday season and it’s not convenient for them to visit, and that hopefully their friends can get a good idea from the video they made.

I have a feeling they are going to pull some stunt and lower their offer just before exchange anyway, so just push back a little and don’t let them get everything their way.

madcatladyforever · 30/07/2019 07:13

I wouldn't really mind. I find enthusiasm quite a refreshing change from the usual daily routine. I wouldn't tidy up for them though.

wowfudge · 30/07/2019 07:36

I'm guessing she filmed so she knew which plants were which, where and has you saying the names on the recording too.

PooWillyBumBum · 30/07/2019 09:44

I would just apologise and say you have guests staying and let the EA know that from now on you'd like them to field these requests as you'd like quiet enjoyment in the last few weeks of your home as you pack up!

Original poster
Dig4Victory · 30/07/2019 10:10

Thank you for the support everyone. When we viewed over 22 years ago the vendor only let us have two viewings and was reluctant and difficult about the second one. This has been a difficult sale to say the least. We'd tried the online agents and not gotten a close offer, then our local agency offered us a low rate. After 18 months & two chains falling through we have a couple who are in rented and will pay the full asking price, desperate to have a home of their own finally. So I've bent over backwards to be helpful as we just cannot lose them after all this time.

The filming was done on an iphone (with my reluctant permission) as the garden is fairly big filled with my plantaholic obssessions. I did show a previous family around pointing out all the plants (not filmed though) as I really believed they would buy too.
I think the only way to deal with this is refuse entry to the house - which is honestly full of boxes & dusty from removing stuff from the loft etc., but say they are welcome to wander the garden for half an hour. Any internal photos can still be viewing online or in the brochure, which they have anyway. Thanks ladies, so glad for your input. Wishing you all a peaceful summer!

OP posts:
Weezol · 30/07/2019 10:13

If they come to see the garden, they will come into the house. A flat out 'No' is your friend here.

greenwaterbottle · 30/07/2019 10:27

I wouldn't let them in the garden, she has the video! As I predict some tapping on the windows and doors "would you mind if we had the quickest peek, you won't know we're here..."

Limpshade · 30/07/2019 10:36

Well she's got extensive video footage of the place now so she can give their friends a virtual tour instead, can't she?

Charley50 · 30/07/2019 12:18

Yanbu but what's the dog about living in a rental? Do you think people renting don't have possessions, need to pack, or clean and tidy the property they've been renting?

Original poster
Dig4Victory · 30/07/2019 12:49

To clarify, if you live in rental and haven't had to tidy and clean the place for people to view it, when I have done it nearly 50 times trying to sell my place? They rent from a friend and haven't had to show anyone around, their friend is letting them stay there whilst they do some building work on my house and then they will move all their stuff here. Not quite the same as what I have gone through.

OP posts:
franklymydearidontgivea · 30/07/2019 20:14

Being slightly controversial, you say you had real difficulty in selling, you now have over excited buyers in a buyers market and you are yet to exchange, I'm afraid I would continue bending over backwards for them at least until exchange as there remains a risk they could pull out....in the long term, what is worse,one more viewing from real committed buyers or starting the whole process again.

friendlycat · 31/07/2019 16:29

In this difficult market and with the problems you have experienced I would let them as you need to get to exchange. Just time limit it though to say 40 minutes maximum. I’m surprised you’re starting to pack prior to exchange as well tbh. One more final push and then hopefully the end is in sight.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 31/07/2019 19:20

Play the long game, OP.

This is a really stressful time and YANBU to feel put out with these rather demanding buyers. But they are buyers and in a few weeks you will be free of them.

Grit your teeth, be charming, and let them show their friends round. Give them a time limit and explain before hand that you have started packing and they will have to take you as they find you - and mean it.