Is it normal for an estate agent to limit viewings?

[EireneNW]

I enquired with an estate agent to view a house that has just come on the market. They are having an open day on Saturday but said it booked up within half an hour of posting on Rightmove and they are not allowing any other viewings unless they don't get a suitable offer from the open day. This seems a bit weird to me, as I (and others) might be willing to make a higher offer than those who are booked in. Is it common practice to limit the number of people that can view a house?

It may be the vendor who has stipulated this. If there is loads of interest in the house and they have agreed to the open day they may wish to consider the outcome from that before starting anymore viewings.You don't know of their situation and why lining ups lots of single viewings might not work for them.

What’s your position as a buyer?
It might be limited to no chain

I’ve worked in property for a fucking age and while uncommon it’s not unheard of for vendors to just want to do one open house and then review the situation. Especially if elderly relatives or very small children need working around.

I'm a first time buyer and I have a mortgage agreement in principle and 40% deposit, so unless they're limiting it to cash buyers I don't think it should be my buying position. Perhaps, as you've said, the vendor has requested it. It just seems odd to me, because they've got 30 minute appointments on the open day when others I've been to have 10-15 mins or multiple at once. It seems like they're limiting the offers they'll get, but perhaps as long as they get an offer they're happy with they don't mind.

Oh, and thank you for your replies by the way

Just turn up on the open day

I bought a house in a similar way.

The seller was the daughter who lived in USA and paid a set amount for estate agent to sell ( something like £250) they only put house up on rightmce for one day and did two open viewings. They said they were confident from people who came they would get offer as it was under market price for area. They reasoned they don't get paid much so they didn't want to ferry back and forth to property for viewings.

They did closed bids and then when my offer went through it was only then that they put there for sale sign with their company name up. Again so if people rang they could say in process but how about are other houses etc

Not come across this a lot but that was there reasons

I'd assume it's the vendor's choice and they're hoping they'll get an offer they're prepared to accept from minimal viewings/disruption. Just keep an eye on it in case there's another chance, or take a tiny risk by popping a note through the house's letter box with your phone number and explain your situation to the vendor!

I agree that you could try popping in a note through the letterbox.

I have come across a similar situation too. Hot market, attractive house, 20+ viewings from proceedable buyers and the agents not booking any more on. Alternatively, lots of buyers spaced 5-10mins apart, the agent just says hi and tells you to have a look on your own and that offers are expected by noon on Monday.