Time Wasters

[pilates]

House on market. I seem to be getting a lot of time wasters atm. Is this quite common or have I just been unlucky?

What do you mean by time wasters?

When we went on the market we had a lot of viewings and several from people who weren’t proceedable - is that what you mean?

I think you need to be clear with your estate agents what you want. We've said in the past that we are only interested in viewings from people who were proceedable. There was no point (in our opinion) in someone looking round our house and saying, 'Yeah, I might buy it if I ever sell my own'.

People looking round asking lots of questions and then saying it’s out of their price range. People saying it’s a bit far out. That sort of thing. I know the area I want to live in and wouldn’t waste people’s time looking at other areas.

If you have an agent then you can make sure they’ve sent particulars out in advance; only let people Who are proceedable, view yours

We’re buying and selling and saw a lot of houses - it’s a big decision and seeing something in real life can be very different frok on right move

They may be saying it’s out of their price range because it’s easier than giving concrete feedback?

We looked at quite a lot before we made an offer, we had a fairly ser idea of our budget and our search area but if something grabbed our attention we were flexible. Actually ended up offering over our ideal budget in an area we hadn't originally considered (and we were dead set on the two villages we were originally looking in). I think maybe when people mean is, it didnt wow us enough to want to buy in this area or at this price? It is bloody annoying as a seller though, having been on the receiving end as well!

Tell the EA you want them to vet potential buyers first.....that they should have a buyer on their own property and have had a conversation with the EA about the amount if equity they have, having a mortgage in principle and know who their solicitor will be.

This will reduce the no of people who view but you won't get the people who aren't in a position to buy.

You just have to be clear with the EA about your expectations and each time they ring you about a viewing, ask for all the details about thT person....and be clear you do t want them to be shown round unless the EA has gained all the pertinent facts first.

People looking round asking lots of questions and then saying it’s out of their price range. People saying it’s a bit far out. That sort of thing. I know the area I want to live in and wouldn’t waste people’s time looking at other areas.

It isn’t uncommon to look at houses listed at, say, 5% over budget. Or view somewhere that’s under budget but at the viewing it becomes apparent that it needs £££ spent on it making it unaffordable.

You also need to bear in mind that people almost always need to compromise on sth, parking, house or garden size or location. Until someone has viewed a property they won’t know for sure if they’re happy with this particular compromise so you might as well get feedback that it’s too far out/thr garden faces the wrong way/ kitchen too small or anything else that would have been obvious beforehand.

Yes wombat I think I will be more specific with the agents.

Thanks for the input, good to hear other perspectives.

Just finding it stressful.

@pilates

People looking round asking lots of questions and then saying it’s out of their price range. People saying it’s a bit far out. That sort of thing. I know the area I want to live in and wouldn’t waste people’s time looking at other areas.

People will often say its out of their price range meaning it isn't perfect and therefore they don't want to go to the top of their budget. We had a different budget for something we could move straight into vs something we'd have to do work on.

You will find that viewers are unwilling to give feedback that you may be offended by so say something that is out of your control and not an insult to your taste - the location is too far out is easier to say than the decor is hideous and we'd have to spend thousands making the kitchen and bathroom livable.

There are always some time wasters -wanting to have a nosey around (for a comparison, or whatever) but not actually going to buy. Frustrating!!!!

I always find that the first lot of viewers in the first few weeks are genuinely looking. Then you get to the point where the majority who come round are the nut jobs who don’t want your 2 bed flat because it isn’t a 4 bed detached (even though they only have finances to afford a 2 bed flat)

It does get soul destroying when you deep clean the house to be viewer ready and they have no intention of buying.
Some people only come for a nosey.
Remember over hearing a woman I worked with making comments on my house that was up for sale at the time. She had no intention of buying my house she just wanted a nose at where I lived.

Agent had the keys and knew we both worked f/t so was free to show people round.