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Original poster

another viewing just before exchange

22 replies

Starllyow · 04/01/2021 18:23

We are due to exchange on our house move this week and our buyers have just called and requested another viewing. Is this normal?? We have never done this before. They’ve had three viewings already (and the second two viewings they brought family with them and stayed for just over an hour each time!!) what else could there possibly be to see at this point ?!

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Fairystory · 04/01/2021 18:30

I've done that and it is common. It's useful to double check measurements to see if your furniture/curtains/white goods will fit or if you will need to get rid of anything/buy anything new.

Clymene · 04/01/2021 18:31

I think it's bonkers but you'll get people on here saying it's perfectly normal in case you've been pissing on the floor since they last looked at it / moved a family of 14 into the spare room / taken up ferret keeping.

Original poster
Starllyow · 04/01/2021 18:32

We’re you really double checking measurements on a 4th viewing the week of exchange??? Confused

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Original poster
Starllyow · 04/01/2021 18:33

@Clymene hahaaa!!!! We’ve told them they can’t come round as we think it’s madness too. Not sure if we’re being unreasonable though as I’ve never heard of it before.

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hgaj · 04/01/2021 18:47

Four viewings is unreasonable, especially with covid restrictions. However, I can understand people are nervous when they're making the biggest purchase of their life. Tell them with covid restrictions you don't want visitors but if they really want to check things you'll host a video call where you can walk them round the house.

Dobbyhasnomaster · 04/01/2021 18:49

My lawyer recommended a prior viewing just before exchange to check nothing had changed in the interim as the transaction had taken quite a long time. If they are paying a lot of money for the property, they probably want to check everything is the same as once you’ve exchanged there’s no going back. Appreciate COVID complicates things but I do think it’s unreasonable to not let them view again if they’ve asked to - I’d be suspicious as to why you weren’t allowing it.

Original poster
Starllyow · 04/01/2021 19:00

@Dobbyhasnomaster you’d be suspicious as to why we don’t want them to view a FOURTH time?? Confused I’m suspicious as to why they want to. Are they hoping by to pick up on something last minute and gazump is?

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Dobbyhasnomaster · 04/01/2021 19:04

How long ago were their previous viewings? If they were last month then I get it, but if it was 3 or 4 months ago then it’s best practice to give the property a quick once over to make sure it’s in the same state as when you made the offer. As long as there isn’t loads of damp or a hole in the ceiling that wasn’t there before I’m sure it will be fine! Maybe ask why they want the viewing.

Shadowboy · 04/01/2021 19:04

Our solicitors paperwork recommended a viewing the day before exchange to confirm condition of the property as when you exchange it’s a binding contract. As our initial offer was made in June I am going to view as it’s been over 6 months

ComtesseDeSpair · 04/01/2021 19:31

On MN everyone says this is normal and they’d never exchange without viewing beforehand. In real life, I don’t know a single person who’s ever done this or would think it normal if their buyers asked. If you don’t want people traipsing around (understandable right now) then I’d be firm but offer to take measurements for them or send photos if they want to see anything in particular.

ivfbeenbusy · 04/01/2021 19:32

4 viewing is unreasonable and I really don't get why people feel the need to have a visit to
Measure up furniture, carpets and blinds - bloody wait till the house is yours 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Starllyow · 04/01/2021 19:51

@Dobbyhasnomaster last viewing was early Dec

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Pipandmum · 04/01/2021 19:53

I can't believe that people would buy a house without seeing it at least two or three times. I buy and sell for a living so have no emotional investment but I still view several times, usually with builders in tow. A flat I sold in December had five viewings from the buyer - two the week of exchange.
It's normal - and totally normal to bring other people to viewings and spend a good amount of time. The only time I refused a buyer coming to 'measure' was on my own moving day - I was moving ahead of the sale and everything was in disarray and stressful. I told them they could come the next day.

Original poster
Starllyow · 04/01/2021 19:56

Yes I agree - just measure up next week when you move in! They’ve already been round twice specifically to measure up in any case. I think they’re hoping to suddenly find fault and ask for money off. There’s nothing to see and the house is the same as before, may offer to measure/ send photos or something.

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Finfintytint · 04/01/2021 20:02

I sold my mum’s house last year and the nervous first time buyers viewed the house four times and had a couple of surveys and electrical as gas surveys on top of that. They were a bloody nuisance. I’ve bought several houses over a thirty year period and I’ve just used surveys as an indicator without the need to constantly reassure myself as a newbie buyer.
I get that they’re excited and it’s a big purchase but Jesus, it’s not a new build.

isseys4xmastinselcats · 04/01/2021 20:55

well after tonight boris has told them to stay home so you can kybosh them with this, we viewed our house once it was empty and i walked past on my way home every day so could see if anything was different

MirandaMarple · 04/01/2021 21:39

In all honesty I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.

Who buys something for £400k and looks at it twice for 10-15 mins? Me. It's bonkers.

Daphnise · 04/01/2021 21:59

As has been said above, on MN it's quite usual, indeed unusual not to do this kind of viewing.

But in reality I have never known anyone who has done this.

I have heard of third viewings, family viewings very long viewings, but never viewings on the day of exchange.

No amount of viewing is going to stop the boiler breaking down the day you move in, or really reveal what the neighbours are like long term.

You never view a baby till you've had it- and that's also a costly matter- and unlike a house- for life!

user1471538283 · 04/01/2021 22:05

I kind of viewed my first house 3 times but all well before exchange. It sounds over the top to do it now.

Somuddled · 04/01/2021 22:54

Most people do a final viewing if it has been a long time since the first or if there have been complications or tension. We last viewed our house 5 months ago, likely to be 7 by the time we complete. In the time the seller has been fairly aggressive, we have had to renegotiate the price and there have been other concerns (eg. A puppy has since been bought by the seller) all those things suggest that it is possible the condition of the house has changed and so needs to be checked. It's shit, I have no desire to have to see the seller again but it is important.

Horehound · 04/01/2021 22:56

The estate agents I've been in touch with recently (selling and buying) have told me bit to allow any more visits until the missives are signed and it's legally binding.

Original poster
Starllyow · 04/01/2021 23:07

Thanks you everyone - I think Boris has been pretty clear that we are to stay home and that means we’ll be working from home now too. I think it’s definitely a no!

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