Property-viewing Etiquette?

[casaberry]

We're FTB, possibly arranging a first viewing in the next week or two.

I've reviewed some viewing checklists but wanted to ask how thorough we should be. Is it completely acceptable and expected that we'll want to turn on taps, open cupboards, check windows, flip switches, etc?

Also, fine asking clear questions about things like roof condition, etc?

Of course, we would ask if they mind us taking a look in , and not just barge in like we already own the place and go hardcore interrogation. But if anyone has wisdom to share on good approaches (beside general good manners), I'd be grateful.

Also, should we expect the owners to be there or only the EA? Or does it vary? Anything specific to keep in mind in those scenarios?

TIA. Sorry if I sound ridiculously nervous about the process. Such a big step and big change from renting!

I wouldn’t be opening peoples cupboards myself.
Otherwise taps etc is all fine.
Shoes off, don’t bring half your family to nose round and don’t be rude about the house if the owners are in you can give the more honest feedback to the agent after

We didn't turn taps on etc when buying. We asked more on a second viewing though.

I'd think people would be a bit funny about you touching loads of stuff at the moment. In normal times looking in built in cupboards and turning on taps is fine but I'd ask first to be polite. Asking about the age of things like the roof or boiler is fine but the EA probably won't know. For most viewings we've done owners have been out but we were here for some viewings when ours was last on the market. We tried to keep ourselves out of the way in the garden.

No don't open cupboards and turn on taps .. first viewings are just for a ref overview . You can book a longer second viewing for other stuff but ask before you open or touch anything !!

We’re doing viewings at the moment. You can’t touch anything right now. The EA will open doors and turn on lights for you, but opening cupboards is a bit odd anyway. You typically check things like taps on a second viewing, and the EA would turn them on and off right now too.

The first viewing tends to be a look around to see if you like it. The second is more in depth, and prior to Covid, you’d turn on taps, maybe measure a room, etc.

Best of luck with your house hunt!

Do not look in the cupboards as the only reason the house is tidy is because everything is stuffed in the cupboards. Ask me how I know this
Seriously as a pp said you are not allowed to touch anything right now. I left lights on as needed and all the doors have to be left open so the estate agent has to touch as little as possible.

Why would anyone want to turn on taps and flick switches? 🙄

You turn on the taps to check for water pressure. Switches to make sure the electrics are working.

Great, thanks. Very helpful, esp about 2nd viewing as opportunity to look more closely at things.

Of course given the circumstances we wouldn't be touching much -- rather asking EA to open doors/windows, turn on lights, etc. Should have been clearer. We're also looking at rental properties and that's how we've handled them to be covid-safe.

Firstly, minimise viewings so pop to see the property from the outside first before you decide you want an internal viewing. I have ruled out properties this way, it's very useful.
Masks on, hand sanitiser on the way in and ask permission to touch anything (some estate agents mind, others don't seem bothered). They also prefer conversations (eg about the chain or the freehold etc) to be by phone before or after, rather than in the home itself.
Don't rely on second viewing, round here offers are made straight away which is why I would always check water pressure. (Not lights, windows etc- that stuff I could mend. But dribbly showers... not so easy). Also always look to see if it is double glazed, sometimes we forgot to check that and it makes a big £ difference
Having had to pull out of a purchase due to rampant damp, I have to admit I briefly raise my mask during the viewing to smell for damp now.

Which part of the uk are you in? In an area of high demand viewings have been 15mins in total and then pushed to make an offer (no opportunity for second viewings) as the houses are selling very quickly. In areas like this go and look at the house from the outside at day and night if you can, then come prepared with questions for the EA. It’s also acceptable to ask the EA to pass on questions to the sellers if he doesn’t know the answer . I think asking to test the water pressure is a good idea.. just make sure the shower is facing in the right direction !

Agree with the above...2nd viewings arent happening anymore. Typically a single viewing day then "last and final" offers submitted.

Ive been opening cupboards, looking under sinks, behind sofas, checking water pressure, taps, flushing loos....everything.

Please for the love of god don’t touch anything at the moment if the property is occupied. At the very least ask the agent or even better, the owner to do it, or check as little as possible and TELL THEM WHERE YOU HAVE TOUCHED. The point at which I had to sanitise my eldest’s entire bedroom as some absolute twat had 1. Taken their child on a viewing (and I say this as someone who is a solo parent with no childcare) and 2. Allowed them to play with their toys really was the final bloody straw. It’s bad enough having 15-odd people traipsing through your house with questionable mask etiquette, then having to sanitise every touch point, without then having to do every bloody tap and cupboard door too.

Sorry, this got me more riled up than I realised 😬. And yes, could be the agent, could be the owner. No issue with asking questions, which is sometimes why viewing with the owner is better.

I like a high pressured showered of if genuinely interested in house I ask to see the shower running! 😬

We didn’t turn the taps on at our house and got a nasty shock re crap water pressure when we moved in.

Yes it needs sorting and 3 years later we still haven’t got the cash together.... but on balance I’m still glad we bought the house. Location, layout and all the things we did check still outweigh that negative.

So I short ask yourself what really matters to you - what are the dealbreakers and check those. No point (especially at the moment) at opening cupboards if it won’t ultimately stop you offering.

I rented a property as a student which had floor to ceiling cupboards in the small kitchen. Only thing was they ran across the front of a hidden chimney breast so not as much usable space as it seemed. So I always check cupboard capacity.
Water pressure is a must to check.
No don't bring your kids nd play with the owners possessions.
Ask the agent upon phoning for a viewing what they will allow. Think of all you questions beforehand and try to eliminate the need to touch much.

Agree a no to opening cupboards. Turning on taps etc is fine.

You’ll be surprised what you miss when you view, though, as there’s so much to take in!

Yes, at the moment you can't touch anything and any decent agent will brief viewers to that effect in line with government guidance. On a second viewing you could ask the homeowner to be present and ask them to turn things on/open cupboards for you.

Hopefully a well informed agent will show you around, and you will have your finances in order and got a solicitor lined up.
Research before you view when it last sold, how long on the market, position of seller, how the market is in the area. And google earth any property or neighbourhood too.
When you make your appointment say you might want to spend half an hour there, especially if you think you won't be able to get a second viewing (though I think its crazy to offer on one viewing). Bring a trusted friend - always good to have a second opinion, and if you have a builder mate bring them along on second viewing.
I always ask if I can open a cupboard or turn on a tap or flush a loo. I think it is totally acceptable (the wall to wall cupboards in my daughter's room are only a foot deep - so much less storage than it appears). You are making the biggest purchase of your life, yet so many people spend less time than when buying a car.
Look beyond the furnishings and decor. Walls can be painted, flooring changed. What can't be changed is the location and age and size and orientation - how much sun it gets (obviously you can add extensions to some homes, but a two bed house will not become a four bed without considerable money bring spent).
There is often a 'feel' you get with houses. Some just feel more homey. See if you can picture your daily routine there. Where is the kitchen in relation to where you normally eat? Is it cut off from entertaining areas? Do you need a dedicated work from home space?
Think about your commute to work, the nearest shops and entertainment. How is the neighbourhood- mostly families? Young professionals? Are the houses cared for and front gardens neat? How is the level of traffic and parkng? Are you on a flight path (hard to judge noise levels from that currently).
What are your must haves? What will you compromise on? Keep an open mind too - you might think you'd hate to live in a 60s or 70s house but you might find it much brighter and open.
Think of ongoing maintenance. Period houses (Edwardian and earlier particularly) take a lot of upkeep and have had things like plumbing and heating retrofitted - are the pipes wall mounted or chased in? Are the radiators adequate? You can always upgrade or move these, but lots of little jobs add up.
Will you be there long term? Does the home need to just work for the next 3-5 years or longer? Do you need to consider local schools?
Lots of things to consider!

Sorry I realise you may already know all the above and were not asking for that kind of advise. Just don't be rushed by the agent, ask them loads of questions, and follow up if they can't answer.

When we were selling last year we were advised by the EA to open all windows, open all doors and leave all lights on to discourage viewers from even touching door handles. I wouldn't have been happy if viewers started opening all the cupboard doors - what are you expecting to find in a cupboard? I happily demonstrated the water pressure if asked.

I found a wall of black mold in a cupboard in a kitchen.

Put gloves on if u need to but youve got 15 minutes to make a call on the biggest purchase youll ever make.

I wish we'd looked in the kitchen cupboards (although wouldn't on a first viewing). We have no idea why, but there were no panels on the back of them. We ended up having to buy a new kitchen when we thought the one there would last a few years.

And do not ask for 5 different viewings, depending on the sun being out...then cancel...

Basically don't touch anything just now. First viewing is just to get a feel for the house.